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Designing our schools in BSF

Good design of all school environments - learning, teaching or social spaces - is essential to help us create a positive atmosphere which will contribute to our students’ success.

To help us achieve this in our schools, we consulted with teachers, parents and students. Their input helped us to draw up a list of criteria for school design and renewal programmes. Our staff and students from schools joined officers to visit schools in the London area which have been recently rebuilt or refurbished.

The group was able to see examples of how teaching spaces, libraries and general areas (e.g. corridors, lobby, etc) can be designed and laid out to help create a bright, inspiring environment for students and staff alike. Designers who want to be involved with our BSF programme will need to show how they would work on the design criteria which have been specified for each school.

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What’s new

Designers will develop their ideas with schools so that the requirements set out in the school vision is achieved. In most schools this will mean flexible spaces as well as specialist facilities, buildings that create a clear identity and have a positive effect on students, teachers, staff, the local community and environment.

Design and layout of study and learning areas will ensure that ICT facilities are easily available and accessible to students and staff. Presentation technologies will be available in most classrooms, and a wide range of ICT will be available in library and study areas, to provide a variety of learning methods.

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What’s next

Each school in our BSF programme has drawn up a ‘vision’ of the changes it wants to see BSF bring about.

A team of education and design advisors will continue to work alongside staff, pupils and other stakeholders to develop detailed design proposals for wave two and wave 4 schools during the 2007-08 school year.

Schools in the east of the borough will complete their design stages first, where the architect has worked closely with a project manager and representatives from the school to develop a design that reflects the ideas expressed in our outline business case (OBC) in order to fulfil the school’s vision. Early in 2008 these schools will submit their planning application so that construction can begin during Summer 2008, where possible.

For schools in the west of the borough, they will continue to work through their design stages so that construction can begin late in 2008 to early 2009, where possible.

Governors, pupils, parents, staff, local residents and the wider community have all had an opportunity to comment on early design proposals for wave two schools and these groups will continue to be involved as the stages progress. Likewise, all stakeholders for wave 4 schools will be given an opportunity to express their views in the near future.

The next key milestone for the BSF programme will be the selection of the preferred managed service provider (MSP). The MSP will provide equipment, handle installation and maintain all information and communication technology (ICT) facilities on the schools’ behalf.

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