Memorandum submitted by Lancashire County
Council
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Wave 1 Building Schools for the Future Project
in Lancashire comprises the replacement of eight secondary schools
in Burnley and three secondary schools in Pendle. The Wave 1 Project
provides for replacement secondary school provision by construction
of seven new 11-16 (mixed) secondary schools (five in Burnley
and two in Pendle) and a new 16-19 Centre in Burnley.
In addition, the County Council wishes to provide
for inclusion of children with Special Educational Needs in mainstream
schools and the establishment of Generic Learning Difficulty provision
co-located with two of the proposed secondary schools (one in
Burnley and one in Pendle). Separate secondary Behaviour Emotional
and Social Difficulty provision will also be developed.
On the 16-19 Centre site in Burnley, the local
authority wishes to establish a campus which will include Children's
Centre provision, replacement of separate infant and junior schools,
a multi-faith worship facility and public library. Additional
funding will support these elements of the Wave 1 Project.
It is anticipated that the Wave 1 Project will
be delivered in the following three phases:
| Start on site |
Operational |
| The Initial Project | Autumn 2006
| September 2008 |
| The Phase 2 Project | Autumn 2007
| September 2009 |
| The Phase 3 Project | Autumn 2008
| September 2010 |
| | |
The County Council appointed Catalyst Education as Preferred
Bidder in February 2006. The County Council anticipates reaching
Financial Close Summer 2006. Through BSF the County Council is
seeking a long-term strategic partner to help it deliver transformational
change in East Lancashire. It will establish a Local Education
Partnership with Catalyst and Partnerships for Schools upon reaching
financial close.
2. PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
IN BURNLEY
AND PENDLE
The County Council developed a "Vision for Education
in Burnley" and a "Vision for Education in Pendle"
with existing schools and communities. The visions have informed
the development of the projects included within Phase 1. The driver
behind the schools' and the County Council's ambitions is that
the new schools provide a learning environment fit for the 21st
century which in turn will address current local challenges and
wider County Council priorities. The County Council held a Design
Festival in Spring 2005 for students, staff and governors from
all schools involved in Wave 1 BSF. The keynote speaker was Professor
Stephen Heppell and the focus was to engage the school community
in the design process.
Through the ITN process the County Council sought exciting,
innovative, flexible designs and service delivery solutions that
will encourage community pride and ownership and help deliver
educational transformation. We also wish to contribute to regenerating
communities within East Lancashire by providing employment and
training opportunities.
3. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Underpinning the County Council's BSF vision and strategies
are three key aims:
— to raise pupil attainment and achievement;
— to enhance learning opportunities; and
— to promote and support inclusion and thereby encourage
community cohesion.
The design solutions, KPIs and Continuous Improvement Plan
developed for Phase 1 of investment will help secure the following
outcomes:
— a better match of pupils and places available;
— parity of esteem and collaborative working between
schools;
— "ownership" of schools by the local
community;
— enhanced learning opportunities and clear pathways
for 14-19-year-olds;
— increased opportunities for inclusion for pupils
with additional learning needs;
— enhanced services for children, young people and
families;
— more cost-effective school provision;
— buildings which inspire and motivate learners
of all ages; and
— a skills legacy to benefit young people and the
local community.
4. KEY BENEFITS
OF THE
BSF PROJECT IN
EAST LANCASHIRE
Raising standards of achievement & attainment
The County Council and its partner's (Catalyst) approach
to architecture, design and technology will create an inspiring,
efficient environment to enable learners and their teachers to
achieve. We will provide:
— Well-equipped, well-lit classrooms that can adapt
to the demands of differing teaching styles and subject areas.
— Engaging streets, hubs and cafés that give
the schools an attractive, "grown-up" feel.
— Versatile spaces where learning can break free
of traditional confines and the community can make extended use
of the schools' amenities and ICT.
— A mix of "staff only" and public areas
for planning, marking and interaction that motivate teachers and
support choices in the way they work.
— A rich network of educational resources and wider
curriculum options shared among the schools.
— Teaching space for young people with learning
difficulties at the heart of school life, not the fringe.
Bringing the community together
Segregated communities that live separate and parallel lives
have very few ways of learning about each other's cultures and
beliefs.
To foster greater community cohesion Lancashire County Council
and Catalyst will be agents of change, providing the right environment
for bringing groups together in an atmosphere of mutual respect
and understanding.
Building Schools for the Future presents us with an opportunity
to create a network of safe, welcoming and well-equipped spaces
towards which the wider community feels a sense of belonging and
ownership. With this in mind, we have designed the schools with:
— Separate access points for community users and
young learners.
— Areas that can be opened and secured as required.
— Flexible spaces that can be easily rearranged
for a variety of uses.
— Clear, intuitive wayfinding for new and regular
visitors.
We will manage these facilities through a single Help Desk—one
number, website and office to arrange the use of:
— Breakfast clubs, after school and holiday activities
for young learners.
— Family learning, adult education and childcare
facilities.
— All-weather and indoor sports.
— Faith Centre and space for community celebrations
and exhibitions.
May 2006
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