Partnerships for Schools



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Press Releases

Press Releases

Partnerships for Schools launches 'toolkit' for effective Local Education Partnerships

19 June 2009

A suite of 'how to' guidance giving advice and support on the creation and management of successful Local Education Partnerships (LEPs) has been published by Partnerships for Schools (PfS).

The Toolkit for Effective Local Education Partnerships, consisting of nine practitioner notes, highlights good practice and recommends issues to consider throughout the lifetime of the LEP, from strategic planning and mobilisation through to the operational phase. It draws upon issues captured as part of last year's review of operational LEPs, carried out on behalf of PfS by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The resulting suite of guidance, which is now available on the PfS website, is intended to inform both existing and future LEPs and their respective stakeholders who are engaged in the delivery of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects nationwide.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, said: "As the BSF programme continues to accelerate with more local authorities due to join the programme shortly, it is important that we help spread best practice about genuine partnership working between the public and private sectors and share some of the practical realities and considerations that both need to think through in relation to Local Education Partnerships.

"There were many positive and encouraging messages contained in PwC's review of the operational LEPs landscape, but it is clear that there is no single 'silver bullet' when it comes to maximising the effectiveness of operational LEPs. The success of the BSF programme depends upon the right resources, structures and processes being in place - as well as an agreed and shared set of goals - enabling local authorities and their stakeholders to make the most of every education pound.

"Put simply, if the LEP does not work to its potential, neither public nor private sectors will fully meet their shared or individual objectives, and so making the partnership work effectively is in the interests of all. As we gear up for the delivery of the second half of the BSF programme, I hope the new Toolkit will stimulate discussion, disseminate existing good practice and help embed long-term partnering behaviours throughout the set-up and operational phases to improve delivery and outcomes."

The Toolkit for Effective Local Education Partnerships provides thinking on best practice, puts guidance in the context of the main stages of the BSF programme, gives case study examples from existing LEPs, and links to further relevant guidance. The nine practitioner notes are as follows:

1. Local Authority Strategic Planning

This note recommends that effective corporate leadership is needed from the outset; that a clear vision about the role of the LEP is required; and that wide-ranging - but realistic - discussions about the LEP role should take place to define what projects or programmes beyond BSF could be delivered by the LEP.

2. The LEP's role in Education Transformation

This note focuses on ways to promote education transformation throughout the BSF process and into the LEP's operational phase. It suggests that Key Performance Indicators and Collective Partnership Targets are enshrined within the contractual relationship to keep the goal of education transformation centre stage.

3. Developing a Shared Vision

This note looks at why developing a shared vision is crucial for successful LEPs, including the need for a governance structure and performance management systems which support the delivery of this vision.

4. Effective Governance

This note recommends establishing a shadow LEP Board at Selected Bidder stage; making the best use of existing local authority resources to provide expert assistance; and using external third party support to review the governance framework to maintain an effective operational governance structure. It also suggests that the LEP Board includes an independent, non-executive chair.

5. Mobilising the LEP

This note examines the challenging transition period from the planning to the operational phase. It suggests the creation of a 'Transition Team' at the Selected Bidder stage with responsibility for planning and setting up the internal operating structures of the new LEP, and practical steps to take such as the physical co-location of teams.

6. Effective Partnering Behaviours

This note highlights how managers need to set the tone for the kind of partnership they wish to see and how good role models are necessary. It suggests the development of partnering protocols which sets out how the LEP does business internally, and how it works with external stakeholders.

7. Capacity to Deliver

This note looks at the resourcing necessary for effective operational LEPs and how this will need to flex depending on the stage of the project. It also recommends that multi-disciplinary teams with different skill sets are necessary to deliver the project successfully.

8. The Role of the National Bodies

This note considers the role of national bodies - including DCSF, PfS, BSFI, 4ps and others - involved in the BSF programme from programme inception through to the operation of the LEP.

9. Value for Money in Exclusivity

This note focuses on how LEPs can continue to demonstrate value for money beyond procurement and into the operational phase. It highlights how value for money is tested, and suggests the development of a balanced scorecard approach to ensure a holistic assessment of key measures.

The Toolkit for Effective Local Education Partnerships can be downloaded from: The Local Education Partnerships Toolkit

Notes to Editors:

  • The LEP is the preferred model for the delivery of large capital projects and is an integral part of the BSF programme. A LEP is a limited company formalising the strategic Joint Venture partnership between a local authority, a private sector provider and BSF Investments (BSFI), the investment arm of the BSF programme.
  • 86 schools across England how now benefitted from BSF investment; 35 projects have reached financial close, and 20 LEPs have now been established.
  • Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to transform education by rebuilding or renewing England’s state secondary schools estate during the lifetime of the programme.
  • Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery organisation for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). PfS is a 120-strong organisation, with specialist expertise including educationalists, designers, ICT specialists, commercial managers and project management. www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk
  • The National Audit Office report into BSF, published in February 2009, stated that the programme is now being well managed and that PfS is keeping costs under control. It added: "BSF schools have been built to a higher specification and space standards than previous schools"