After a long wait, we finally have the Independent Review of Education Capital – the James Review – which sets out the 16 recommendations for the reform of the way schools are procured, designed and built.
Posts under ‘Media coverage’
Still waiting for Sebastian James…
The long heralded James Review on the future of schools capital seems to have had more pencilled-in launch dates than a NASA Shuttle. But we are pretty confident it will be launched shortly… For an industry that thrives on certainty, local authorities that need to plan and schools that need investment, this delay has implications. [...]
Waiting for Superman: Free Schools vs Local Schools – the debate starts here
On Monday 22 November, we are lucky enough to be hosting the first UK screening of the Oscar shortlisted film ‘Waiting for Superman‘ that has rocked the US education system and is set to send the debate about Free Schools in the UK into orbit. We know that the film will generate a huge amount [...]
Let’s be proud of our schools – set them free
We all have a memory of that place we call school. A moment of insight or fun; a teacher that inspired; the classroom; the sports field; an art room; a playground; a science experiment; the awful toilets. Our childhood in our schools has for many a particular and enduring place in our memories. And schools [...]
Free Schools Thinking – what is our new report saying?
We are really thrilled to be launching our new BCSE / Centre for School Design publication Free Schools Thinking on the 20 October 2010 – the day of the announcement of the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. The timing is not a coincidence. We feel strongly that despite budgets in education and across the public [...]
An end to factory schools
Leading headteacher and member of the BCSE’s Great Schools Inquiry and Commission, Anthony Seldon launches his latest report today which shares 20 ways of ending Factory Schools in England (Centre for Policy Studies). With an emphasis on a return to “the delight, gratitude and stimulus” in schools his work will resonate with a large number [...]
Great Schools Commission – a shake up for the system
The BCSE’s Great Schools Inquiry and Commission interim report launch is just over a month away. So now is a good time to reflect on the landscape in which we are now working. It is clear to me that there is a time when every government policy or spending priority needs a good shake up [...]
School capital investment – getting our house in order
This is an absolutely vital time. This major investment in school buildings has made a difference, and we really can’t afford to go back to not spending money consistently on infrastructure. The sheer scale of this investment is hard to absorb for many people, and it’s been ill-served by some of the ‘research’ flying around. [...]
Technology and school buildings
The role of technology in school building programmes was called into question this week by prominent principal Armando Di-Finizio from Bristol Brunel Academy who was quoted in a Times article saying that millions of pounds were being wasted on “white elephant” technology in schools. He went further to say that there were pressures on schools [...]
Build? Or rebuild?
While we were launching The Centre for School Design on Monday, we all missed this feature on Radio 4′s PM programme by Andrew Bomford, covering a new English Heritage report. Broadly, the EH report promotes the renovation of older school buildings rather than the development of new ones – as English Heritage put it, ‘constructive [...]
