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 learning, is information
technology (ICT).
ICT aims and objectives through BSF:
- A change in the quality and level of ICT provision in secondary
schools
- Buildings designed to maximise use of ICT including new
generation ICT devices
- 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?
BSF 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 (PDF 29k) 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 its
'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