Kent BSF Programme, established in 2006, aims to rebuild or renew its secondary schools over a period of 10 – 15 years. An update will be given on the building programme in Thanet.
Minutes:
Adam McKeown, KCC’s BSF and Academies Communications Manager began his presentation by describing the background behind the largest capital programme in schools for over 50 years. Kent will have £1.8 billion of investment to re-build and develop schools, many of which were built pre-war and designed for different learning era.
The BSF programme is not just about buildings but how education can transform young people and raise aspirations and attainment. It is about recognising that there are different needs and different learning styles from vocational to academic study. It is about making today’s schools fit for purpose in the 21st Century so that they can support personal development through new technology and the new multi-media curriculum, with schools working together and sharing resources. And it is about placing schools at the heart of communities to encourage all age learning and to further stimulate and support economic and community regeneration.
Esther Larner, KCC’s WAVE 3 Project Manager then spoke in detail about the build programme in Thanet. The WAVE 3 programme is in its construction phase and includes: Charles Dickens School, Dane Court Grammar, King Ethelbert and St George’s School. A feature of the new building programmes is to provide an alternative way of teaching, with buildings that have a central area or ‘heart’ from which other disciplines branch off. In addition, KCC and its partners are working with the construction companies to increase the amount of local labour used, including 38 apprenticeships, encouraging working experience placements and with 70% of the supply chain being Kent-based.
The WAVE 4 programme is in the consultation phase involving workshops with head teachers, governors, teachers, parents and pupils and once this is completed, construction is planned to start in 2011. This programme includes: Northwood Centre PRU, St Anthony’s Special School, Ursuline College, Chatham House and Clarendon House Grammar School Federation, Hartsdown Technology College and The Foreland Special School, Stone Bay Special School, Laleham Gap Special School, Hereson Boys and Ellington School for Girls.
For more detailed information on these programmes please visit: http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-sixth-form/schools-for-future/
Q. Could you explain where Children’s Centres fit into this?
A. The 70+ Children’s Centres are new spaces that bring together children and parents and have been part of the consultation process, interviewing parents and identifying the lack of out of school activities, lack of vocational education, etc.
Q. What will happen to this programme if there is a change in government?
A. WAVE 3 and WAVE 4 are guaranteed to go ahead as the money has already been ring-fenced.
Q. What environmental guidelines have been followed? KYCC has its own environmental sub group.
A. No design would be approved without first looking at the environmental elements of the build, e.g. sustainable materials/products, heating, ventilation all have to comply with stringent standards.
Q. Dane Court does not appear to have any opening windows but only air conditioning.
A. Dane Court will have opening windows.
Q. How much influence and impact do students have during the consultation phase?
A. There are a number of facilitated discussions with students on the kind of environment they prefer to work in, e.g. the Student Voice Event in June 2008 at Sandwich Technology School where Stephen Heppell facilitated a workshop aimed at capturing students' ideas about how and where they would like to learn in the future and to integrate these ideas into the development of new school facilities planned through the BSF programme. Also during ISOP (Invitation to Submit Outline Proposal) student representative groups are integral to this process and the BREEAM process (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodwhich assesses the performance of buildings in the following areas: management, energy use, health and well-being, pollution, transport, land use, materials, and water) must show evidence of how their ideas have impacted on the designs submitted.
Mr Hayton thanked Adam and Esther for their interesting and informative presentation.