Building Schools for the Future

Frequently asked questions

You can find answers to frequently asked questions on Building Schools for the Future on this page.

What is Building Schools for the Future?

The Government is committed to spending £2.2 billion pounds per year over the next 15 to 20 years to replace, rebuild or renovate every secondary school in England and to provide new information and communication technology systems (ICT).

Funding is awarded to local authorities in stages ('waves') and selection is based on a variety of factors including levels of educational achievement, child poverty and deprivation and the ability to deliver a planned programme.

Barking and Dagenham have been awarded £230 million and is carrying out one of the most ambitious programmes in the country. We plan to improve facilities in our secondary and special schools, and to build a new school at Barking Riverside.

Through Building Schools for the Future we aim to give parents a wider choice of schools with higher standards, and to give our young people the best start in life. We see ICT as a key support in raising educational standards.

This extraordinary cash injection will modernise school facilities to benefit all young people, teachers and the wider community. Building Schools for the Future is based on the principle that school buildings have a positive effect on everyone who uses them.

Building Schools for the Future is an opportunity to actively involve teachers, parents and students in creating the vision for the kind of school that they would like to experience - designing a 21st century learning environment that meets their aspirations and raises levels of attainment.

Building will take place between 2010 and 2017. This will be the start of all our secondary schools undergoing a transformation - beginning a new era of education provision which will benefit the whole community.

Teachers will have the educational environment in which they and their students can thrive and realise their potential.

Why is Building Schools for the Future needed? What does this mean for my child?

This programme will mean that, overtime all children and young people in Barking and Dagenham will benefit from expertly designed and efficient, 21st century secondary school buildings and state of the art facilities.

This investment programme offers us an opportunity to inject new pace and energy to promote to a higher level of continuous attainment for local children and young people. It will also enable us to enhance dramatically the educational outcomes for local children and young people.

Schools will also be able to make their enhanced facilities available to the wider community so more people can benefit.

What evidence is there that these better facilities will improve educational standards?

There is evidence that specialist facilities in particular, empower teachers to teach to the best of their ability. Students are more motivated to learn in an environment which encourages engagement with learning.

Which schools are affected?

All of the borough's secondary schools and Trinity Special School are involved in the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Will the Building Schools for the Future programme allow for community access?

Yes. Building Schools for the Future schools will include a range of facilities, including indoor and outdoor sports facilities which, in most cases will be an improvement on the current provision and will be available for community use.

Will parents, staff, students and local residents be consulted?

Yes. Parents, students, staff and public meetings are being held to obtain support for proposals. The community will also be involved through the planning process.

Schools, including the Student Voice (a pilot project to engage students with the aim of informing educational policy and planning) are involved in working with designers, architects and the local authority to ensure proposals meet their realistic requirements.

Will the needs of those with disabilities be catered for in the new school designs?

Yes. This is an opportunity to improve accessibility and inclusion.

What about provision of post 16 education?

Post 16 education features strongly in our plans for Building Schools for the Future, especially in the light of the Governments view that education should be continuous up to the age of 18.

What size will the new schools be?

Most schools are intended to remain the same size except Barking Abbey, All Saints and Jo Richardson schools which may well expand.

Are present students in schools earmarked for investment going to suffer until Building Schools for the Future comes in to place?

No. The local authority is committed to the principal that no student or groups of students will be disadvantaged in the development of Building Schools for the Future.

What happens if the Council or Government change politically - Will Building Schools for the Future be scrapped?

No. The Building Schools for the Future scheme has backing from all major political parties at present.

Will the buildings and grounds be to an appropriate quality standard, provide sufficient space and protect green areas?

Yes. We are aiming for high quality fit for purpose buildings and aim to preserve green space.

What is the start date for Building Schools for the Future?

Once the strategy for change document has been agreed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, we will be informed when we will be able to begin drawing down funding.

How will we be informed of progress?

Regular updates will be in Citizen (the Council's resident's magazine) and on the Building Schools for the Future website. Schools will also send out their own news and the Learning Trust Bulletin (a publication for schools) will keep teachers and other school staff updated. There will also be specific consultations about larger developments.