Feedback from Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Meetings, October 2008

41 Headteachers and governors attended the BSF briefing and consultation meetings held on 8, 9 and 13 October. Those attending received a presentation on the new national arrangements, criteria and timescales for reviewing Norfolk's Expression of Interest for submission to DCSF by 30 November.

The presentation outlined the elements that are to be incorporated in the comprehensive strategy and how the developing collaborative and partnership arrangements, especially around 14-19 provision, can be used to provide the framework for our strategy and the prioritisation of BSF projects over the coming years.

There was broad endorsement for the overall direction and principles set out in the presentation, although there were many helpful comments and suggestions made. Based on the comments made at the meetings, we have revised our high level vision and transformation statements, and also the principles on which we can develop the secondary learning system to read as follows:

Vision for Transformation

To deliver, over 10-15 years, a coherent pattern of inspiring places so that every young person in Norfolk will want and be able to learn and achieve, develop socially, enjoy community life and take positive decisions for their future; and that communities will access these inspiring places.

We are determined that the Programme will not simply be used to provide 'more of the same', but that it should be part of a truly transformational development that will make a positive impact on the achievements and experiences of all Norfolk children and young people, including those in our most challenging areas and in the schools which have not made the progress needed.
Norfolk Strategy for Change

Developing Norfolk's Principles for 11-19 learning

The Strategy will integrate the following key elements:

14-19

SEN Strategy

Vision for PE and Sport

Every Child and Young Person Matters: 'Five Outcomes' learning

The 'learning system' and the approach to project prioritisation will be based on the following principles:

Emphasis on learners and their needs, not on institutions

Access and inclusivity: concept of the 'learning campus', pathways for all and social cohesion

'New forms of experiential learning within contemporary contexts and settings'

Developing partnerships: between phases and schools/PRUs; with Colleges, work based learning providers, employers and community groups.

Capacity for leadership (including Governance) of learning across partnerships and areas

Use of 'state of the art' technology for learning and communication

Development of world-class complementary specialist facilities using existing specialisms (eg Specialist status and links with College CoVEs)

'Extended Schools' link up in imaginative ways drawing together communities, supporting children and families with related services

Seamless progression should not be bound by phase or transition point or sector

Additional comments made at the meetings:

Norfolk should make use of good examples of development elsewhere

We should, wherever possible, combine BSF development with Children's Centres, Adult Education, health provision, arts centres, etc.

BSF Self-Assessment Form

The meetings discussed a draft form for schools to enter key information about themselves in order to complement our existing records and ensure we have complete information to enable us develop our BSF strategy and form local project groups of schools. We acknowledge the very tight timescales, but it would be very helpful if schools could briefly enter in bullet form any information that we might not be aware of within the expandable boxes on the attached BSF Self-Assessment Form.