Latest Education Capital News of Interest to Sport

Here is the latest news from the Sport England BSF Team. 

11th August 2011

Most recent news:

DfE announcement on Education Funding

On 19th July, Michael Gove made an announcement on education funding and launched a further 12 week consultation. Views from interested parties are welcomed on two key areas:

1. The best model for allocating and prioritising capital, recognising the increasing diversity of the schools estate

2. The proposals put forward on procurement and project management, calling for a more centralised approach to capture efficiencies and build expertise.

Michael Gove stated he is keen to move forward more quickly on some of the other recommendations from the James Review. There is specific mention of the intention to develop a suite of standardised drawings and specifications for school buildings, and an intention to collect condition data (in response to recommendation 8 of the James Review) so that funding can be better targeted.

Respond to the online consultation before the closing date of 11th October.

Announcement on Partnerships for Schools (PfS)

On 7th June, Michael Gove confirmed the closure of PfS  as part of the wider reforms of arms length bodies and announced that a new Education Funding Agency ( EFA ), an executive agency of the Department, will take on responsibility for the allocation and management of revenue and capital funding, including the delivery of capital programmes.  This is intended to happen in April 2012.

The Review of Education Capital - Final Report now published

The independent capital review, led by Sebastian James, was published on 8th April.  The final report and accompanying letter from Sebastian James to Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove can be found on the Department for Education website.  

Previous news:

School Capital Allocations Announced for 2011-2012

On 13th December, the Government announced its capital allocations for every Local Authority that has responsibility for education.  A summary of the capital allocations can be found on the Department for Education (DfE) website.  Authorities are able to pool these funds and make more effective use of them if it makes economic sense.  The next step is for individual councils to set their capital budgets for 2011/12 on the basis of these figures and any other funds they may have available towards capital. 

School Reforms Announced

The Government launched its Schools White Paper - The Importance of Teaching, on 24th November.  This sets out the reforms which will transform the school system by devolving power downwards, giving greater freedom and flexibility to schools. 

Future School Capital Programme

A report detailing recommendations for a future School Capital Programme is expected to be announced by the Capital Review Team in early 2011. Future DfE school capital investment is expected to focus on 1) there being enough places to meet demographic pressures, and 2) addressing urgent maintenance needs.

BSF Legacy Schemes

185 schools opened with BSF investment (Up until July 2010). Around £6bn is expected to fund the 600 schools and sample schools given approval to go ahead, together with the Academies projects.

Call for Evidence

Sebastian James, who is leading on the Schools Capital Review, has issued a call for evidence.  This is real opportunity for all interested parties including schools, LAs , the construction industry, academy sponsors, and sport sector networks/organisations - to inform the review and provide views and input – the good news is that sporting facilities and the community have been referenced.

It is obviously, in sports interest to ensure to take advantage of this opportunity to input to the review.  Complete the Call for Evidence response form.  Closing date for responses Friday 17th September 2010.

BSF Briefing

Our main BSF web page now includes a briefing issued by the Sport England BSF Team that sets out our current position following the Government announcement on the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Playing Pitch Strategy - Fit for Purpose Assessment Framework

A 'Fit For Purpose' assessment framework has been added to the 'planning tools and guidance notes' list area on this website. 

The framework has been developed to aid the assessment of a Playing Pitch Strategy against Sport England's adopted methodology 'Towards a Level Playing Field: A Guide To The Production of Playing Pitch Strategies'. It can also be used as a useful reference to help guide the development of a strategy.

A number of the sections and criteria included in this assessment framework are also relevant to the assessment of the additional sports to be included under the BSF requirement for a Playing Fields Strategy to be in place prior to the remit meeting.

CSP and National Governing Body (NGB) BSF Guide

A bespoke guide 'Making the Most of BSF for Sport' is being developed for CSPs and NGBs by the Sport England BSF Team, incorporating information, practice and experiences of our partners.  The guide will support partners to better understand the programme, the process and ways to influence. This will soon be made available as a download from this webpage.

Fit for the Future Guidance Document

A guidance tool has been developed by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) national Design Steering Group which can be used by PE and Sport Stakeholder Groups in their role of supporting  LAs and schools to translate their vision for PE and sport into a design brief. It explores typical design requirements, the process and a range of design solutions to provoke debate and transformational thinking. Download the flash presentation and pdf version through this link here.