Partnerships for Schools



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Partnerships for Schools
33 Greycoat Street
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Speeches

Speeches

Highlights from the PfS Annual Conference 2008

25 September 2008

More than 450 delegates from schools, local authorities and the private sector attended the fourth annual PfS conference on 18 September for an update on the progress of the BSF and Academies programmes, to hear practical case studies focusing on real projects in the pre-procurement, procurement and operational phases, and pose questions to the experts.

For all those unable to attend in person, highlights from some of the sessions are available to listen to online, including:

Tim BylesTim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, talks about the real sense of momentum in the BSF programme since the last PfS conference, with 22 deals now signed, 35 schools open, and 80 local authorities engaged in BSF. While the focus of the programme is still very much about educational transformation, he told delegates about the growing focus on sustainability.  Tim updated delegates with some recent examples demonstrating the benefits of BSF: from improved GCSE results to NFER research citing improved behaviour and a greater sense of safety and pride amongst BSF school students.

 

 

Jim Knight MPMinister for Schools, Jim Knight MP, talks about how BSF is not about investing in structures, but investing in futures. He mentions his recent visit to the Brislington Enterprise College in Bristol - the third BSF school to open in the city - and the role of schools at the centre of communities. The Minister says that he is confident a Minimum Design Standard can be introduced in BSF so that no school design falling below a certain standard can proceed through procurement, with the standard balancing the views of CABE’s Design Review Panel with those of parents, students and teachers. He also talks about the plans to announce a new national programme for
waves 7 to 15 in early 2009.

 

John Humphrys and Tim BylesJohn Humphrys interviews Tim Byles about progress in the national programme, and what difference a Minimum Design Standard will have for the quality of schools being designed and built as part of BSF. The journalist and broadcaster also quizzes PfS’s Chief Executive about the cost of procurement, and how BSF is faring during the credit crunch.

 

 

David Carter and Claire RammelkampDavid Carter, Executive Principal of Bristol Brunel Academy, is joined by Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator, Alex Gailey, and Year 11 student, Claire Rammelkamp, to describe the BSF journey for their school. David told the conference that the school had gone from having the highest number of exclusions in the city of Bristol, to not having a single permanent exclusion during its first year in its brand new building. Alex talks about the overwhelming sense of despair and disrepair in the old Speedwell Technology College, and how no-go zones have been replaced by safe and welcoming environments. Claire describes the role of students in designing the iconic Wall of Wishes at the entrance of the Bristol Brunel Academy.