BSF – Explained

BSF is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the way secondary schools function, developing buildings for the 21st century with teaching and learning to match. An integral component which links buildings with teaching and leaning is information technology (ICT).

BSF aims to provide:

• A change in the level of ICT provision in secondary schools in England
• Buildings designed to maximise use of ICT
• Managed ICT services

Secondary schools provide a major resource for local communities. The new and refurbished facilities delivered by BSF are being designed for shared community use wherever appropriate. In line with the 'Every Child Matters' agenda every BSF school will be an extended school offering additional or dual facilities. Facilities delivered by BSF are being designed for shared community use, such as sports, libraries, nurseries and ICT suites. BSF will place schools at the heart of the community.

What impact will BSF have?

SF is a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve education for today's learners.
BSF aims to:

• Improve learning and achievement for every child and young person
• Enhance school diversity and parental choice
• Increase the use of schools by the community
• Produce plans that are exciting, flexible, healthy, safe, secure and environmentally sustainable

Schools in the future must be able to help children and young people to:

• Learn in a range of different ways, in a variety of environments and at times that respond to their individual needs
• Experience learning that will prepare them for their future life and work
• Develop confidence and feel safe and secure in and around their places of learning
• Extend their learning and leisure beyond the school day/term
• Make good progress, resulting in high levels of achievement

Key stages of a BSF project

There are a number of stages that a local authority will have to go through as part of the BSF programme. The BSF process diagram shows the main stages of the BSF process and the activities that take place at each. Refer to the glossary for the acronyms explained.

BSF School visions

An individual school's 'Strategy for Change' should inform building designs. These plans also show how each school will contribute to the area- wide plans, taking into account their different specialisms and the needs of the local communities they serve, as well as their own educational aims.

The starting point is involvement in the LBTH development of it's 'Strategy for Change' setting out the current needs and new opportunities through BSF for the whole local area. At the same time each school will need to identify its individual key priorities for improvement.

The process of developing a school's strategy for change involves:

• Taking stock of current achievements and challenges
• Researching innovative developments and reflecting on the needs of learners now and in the future
• Thinking about ways in which learning and provisions for the wider community can be improved
• Developing strategies to remove barriers to learning and achievement
• Considering how design and space can be used more creatively to improve learning and achievement

Further useful information

• Partnerships for Schools introductory guide to BSF
• CABE Publications available to download at www.cabe.org.uk
• DQI for schools www.dqi.org
• Building Bulletin 98 and Building Bulletin 77 can be downloaded at www.teachernet.gov.uk
• 4ps local government project delivery specialist www.4ps.gov.uk
• Becta produce a range of information to support teachers in understanding the potential use of ICT in schools www.becta.org.uk
• NCSL: National College of School Leadership contracted by DCSF to provide training for groups of schools leaders involved in BSF projects. www.ncsl.org.uk
• Learning through landscapes is a charitable trust which promotes better use of school grounds www.ltl.org.uk
• Royal institute of British Architects www.riba.org.uk
• Schools works is an organisation working to link the design of buildings with their impact on teaching, learning, culture and management of these schools. Participation and partnership are at the heart of their approach. www.school-works.org