Further capital money is promised to schools to improve the state of repair of current buildings and to develop the premises to meet the future needs of students. Although the goal posts are still moving ’
Building Schools for the Future’ is happening in authorities which qualified for the first and second phases.
PFI is an integral part of this government initiative. There is central procurement advice available and your Local Authority will play a major part in the negotiations but there is a need for schools to take a high profile role in the process. Governors and school leaders should ensure that any PFI agreement will allow them to comply with the extended school agenda and longer opening hours. They need to ensure that the service agreements with the PFI provider ‘fit’ with the school’s requirements, this may well include the provision of school meals in line with the forthcoming recommendations for healthy eating.
The management of major re-building and refurbishment projects are time consuming and require a level of expertise. Project management is increasingly important within schools and this often falls on the shoulders of the Bursar/Business Manager. Many projects are in full flow during the school breaks - how does your Bursar/Business Manager have a well deserved rest and time to prepare for the new term if they are involved in project management during each break?
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