PfS response to the CBI’s report: Making the grade
18 June 2009
The CBI has today published its second report into the Building Schools for the Future programme in which it states that ‘significant improvements’ have been made since their 2008 report and that ‘early indicators of academic performance and pupil behaviour in these [BSF] schools are very positive.’
Commenting on the report Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: “The CBI’s report clearly recognises the significant progress that has been made in BSF since their last report 12 months ago – and of course, BSF can never be accused of standing still. Even since the report went to press, more schools have benefited from BSF investment – now 86 schools up and down the country.
“The report also echoes the views of both the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee in recognising the benefits of PfS’s leadership and programme management. This is borne out by the government’s recent announcement that PfS will also assume responsibility for the management and delivery of all schools capital programmes, including the Primary Capital Programme.
“Quite rightly, the report highlights the importance of educational transformation remaining central to BSF. Long gone are the days when despite its name, BSF could be accused of simply being about buildings. It is all about people. Ultimately, it is about providing every young person and teacher with the optimum environment that enables them to achieve the very best they can in life regardless of their background.
“On procurement costs, we have recently introduced a new streamlined approach which looks set to reduce bid costs by 30 per cent, representing an overarching saving of £250m. However, we want to go further than this.
“Working with the private sector via the CBI and the PPP Forum, we are actively exploring a range of options and I am optimistic that more can be done to streamline the process, whilst remaining within the bounds of European Law.”
The associated CBI press release, in addition to a full copy of the report can be found on the CBI website.
