Bournemouth Borough Council & Borough of Poole - Building Schools For The Future

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14 - 19 Agenda
A key Government policy designed to provide secondary age, and older, pupils with a wider range of educational options, including vocational courses, than might traditionally have been available. A local authority's Strategy for Change must set out how its BSF proposals will also meet the relevant elements of this policy, in partnership with other local providers, such as Further Education colleges.

Academies Programme
The Academies Programme aims to establish 400 Academies in England, 200 of which will be open or in development by 2010. The DCSF asked PfS to take on delivery of Academies in March 2006, in order to more closely align investment in Academies with Building Schools for the Future.

Academy
Academies are publicly-funded independent schools, for pupils of all abilities, established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working in partnership with central Government and local education partners. Their independent status allows them the flexibility to be innovative and creative in their curriculum, staffing and governance and to work in different ways to traditional local authority schools.

Affordability
Generic term for the management of the costs that must be met for delivery of a local BSF programme. The local authority will be required to meet some of those costs from local resources - the difference between total cost and the level of funding provided by central Government is often called 'the affordability gap'.

BECTA
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency: The government agency that supports the DCSF in its strategic ICT developments. Their ICT self-review framework (see also)is a useful self-assessment tool for schools.

BREEAM
BREEAM assesses the performance of buildings in the following areas - management, energy use, health and well-being, pollution, transport, land use, materials, and water. Schools in BSF are required to meet or exceed the BREEAM 'very good' standard.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF)
A government initiative that aims to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England over the next 10-15 years

Business Case
A document that sets out in detail the costs of the project as well as the timetable and methods for achieving it

CABE Enabler
CABE Enablers are expert architects funded by the DCSF, appointed to assist local authorities with the development of quality designs for BSF. Each local authority receives 20 days' support up to financial close, the use of which is agreed between the local authority and their Enabler.

Carbon Neutral
Carbon neutral buildings are those with zero net carbon release, calculated by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount offset. PfS is working with the DCSF to explore ways in which we can help schools get ever closer to the ultimate goal of making all schools in England carbon neutral, including the establishment of the Zero Carbon Taskforce (see also). All BSF schools are designed with a strong focus on sustainability to help reduce the carbon footprint of all schools.

CDA
Client Design Adviser: The local authority's adviser with responsibility for providing guidance on all elements relating to design for BSF, from drawing up initial options for each school, refining the subsequent brief that is issued to bidders, and in due course helping to assess the quality of the bids submitted. The CABE enabler will help the local authority to recruit the CDA.

Children's Plan
The Government wants to make this country the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. The Children's Plan sets out how the Department for Children, Schools and Families is going to achieve that - by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything we do.

Children's Trusts
Children's Trusts were a response to Lord Laming's report of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie, which highlighted the extent to which better working together and better communication are crucial. Children's Trusts were created to address the fragmentation of responsibilities for children's services. They build upon, bring together and formalise the joint work that is already taking place in many local areas. The Government expects all areas to have a Children's Trust by 2008.

CLG
Communities and Local Government: The Government department that sets UK policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration and planning. See also DCLG.

Commercial Close
Point at which all contractual documents are agreed and can be signed and held until Financial Close.

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
The Government's adviser on architecture, urban design and public space, CABE was established to encourage a high quality of architectural design in public buildings and spaces. CABE is the advisory body to the BSF programme in design issues, funded by DCSF to support LAs with design enablers, providing 15 days of free time allocated to each local authority BSF project.

Competitive Dialogue
The procurement process that must be used by the public sector for the award of complex contracts such as those for the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The EU Directive that introduced Competitive Dialogue became effective in the UK from 31 January 2006.

Conventional Capital
Capital Grant or borrowing approval for non-PFI projects

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
Central Government department with responsibility for education

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
The DCLG may provide extra funding support for local authorities, such as for supplementary accommodation, which is not usually covered by BSF money. The DCLG may also grant supported borrowing (see also) for local authorities.

Design and Build (D&B)
A form of contract in which a single contractor is responsible for both the design and the construction of a building project. D&B is the standard delivery route for delivering building works to schools that are being refurbished or remodeled (a combination of some new build work, and refurbishment).

Design Quality Indicator(DQI)
The DQI is a tool to assist with the briefing, development and evaluation stages of a design project. The Construction Industry Council has developed a DQI for Schools, which is used at several stages in BSF projects to evaluate functionality, build quality and impact of a design or finished building.

DfES
Department for Education and Skills: This department is now DCSF

E- safety
Fixed and mobile technologies which children and young people might encounter now and in the future, which allow them access to content and communications that could raise issues or pose risks to their wellbeing and safety.

Education Key Performance Indicators (EKPIs)
The success criteria by which schools, local authorities and private sector partners can judge the impact and the extent of transformation achieved through the BSF programme, and their contribution towards the achievement of improved outcomes.

Education vision
A document laying out the long term goals and aims of a local authority

Educational Transformation
BSF is much more than simply a buildings programme. It is a huge commitment that will help deliver the Every Child Matters agenda, elements of the Children’s Plan, and provides an opportunity to transform education by delivering schools that our young people, our teachers and our local communities deserve. Beyond bricks and mortar, the exciting opportunity that we have through BSF is to transform education for millions of young people, providing environments and facilities that will help every single one of them unlock the talents that they have, regardless of their background.

Every Child Matters
First published in 2003, ECM is the new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The programme places the responsibility of better outcomes for children firmly at the centre of policies and the integration of organisations providing children's services. The five outcomes are to: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve through learning; make a positive contribution to society; and achieve economic well-being

Extended Schools
A key Government policy for increasing the community focus and use of school buildings, either through the dual use of existing facilities (such as sports halls, or providing adult education on school premises), and/or the co-location of other public services (such as libraries, health centres, etc.) on school sites. BSF seeks to encourage and facilitate the provision of extended schools.

Facilities Management (FM)
The delivery of services to a given facility, such as cleaning, pest control, waste management, etc. which provide a safe and efficient working environment. In BSF, the LEP will normally provide these services, known as FM.

Final Business Case
The document produced by the local authority and submitted to PfS and DCSF for formal approval to fund the project, which is required before Commercial and Financial Close of the contract. The function of the Final Business Case (FBC) is to confirm that the original project specification set out in the Outline Business Case remain relevant, and that the final project is affordable within the identified funding parameters.

Financial Close
The point at which the interest rate is fixed on the bank debt taken out by the bidder to finance the project, and effectively signals the end of the procurement and the commencement of works. Follows Commercial Close. In this incidence this is only relevant to the ICT procurement.

Funding Allocation Model (FAM)
PfS provides each local authority within the BSF programme with a funding "envelope" for a group of schools in a given wave. This is calculated using the Funding Allocation Model (FAM), an Excel spreadsheet that calculates an overall funding envelope based on the recommended gross floor areas and the agreed projected number of pupils for the schools in that wave.

Gateway Reviews
Reviews of a procurement project carried out at key decision points by a team of experienced people who are independent of the project team. The process provides assurance to a project owner that their project can progress successfully to the next stage. Gateways have been designed to support projects that procure services, construction/ property projects and IT-enabled business change projects. The Gateway Review process in local government is managed by 4ps. Gateway Reviews 1 & 3 are mandatory in the BSF programme.

Governance
A number of models exist for the management of schools - Community, Trust, Foundation, Voluntary Aided and Academy being the main options. Schools may choose to adopt these themselves, or in discussion with the Local Authority.

Governing Body Approval
The formal record of a School's Governing Body agreeing to participate in the BSF programme, and (where applicable) contribute some of the Delegated School Budget to meet specific service costs. Usually in the form of a letter.

HMT
Her Majesty's Treasury

Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Computing and communications facilities that, in relation to BSF, will support teaching, learning and a range of education activities

IPD
Invitation to Participate in Dialogue: The document which invites participants who have pre-qualified to participate in a competitive dialogue. The issue of documents to a long list (typically 4-8 in number) of bidders, inviting initial outline proposals under the competitive dialogue procedure. The bidders submit formal responses to these proposals, allowing the local authority to select its short list of bidders (typically 3) to take forward to the IPD2 stage. In this incidence this is only relevant to the ICT procurement.

ITSFB
Invitation to Submit Final Bids: The document which invites remaining participants to submit Final Tenders once the dialogue phase has been concluded. In this incidence this is only relevant to the ICT procurement.

ITT
Invitation to Tender: This stage of the procurement process is designed to enable the detailed design phase of the sample school scheme to be undertaken. The ITT documentation is based on standard PfS templates and consists of a generic Framework and school specific output specification for the design & build element of the project, along with the necessary schedules for the bidder to submit the information required prior to the evaluation phase. Included within the ITT is a formal evaluation process where the two Panel Members are assessed against set criteria. The outcome of the ITT stage is the selection of the ‘Selected Panel Member’, for delivery of the programme.

Joinedupdesign for BSF
A programme of workshops facilitated by the Sorrell Foundation which gives students the opportunity to create a design brief detailing what pupils want in their BSF schools. A client team of pupils follows a process of research, discussion and inspirational visits to develop ideas, which in turn help to give architects an insight into everyday life in schools.

KPI
Key Performance Indicator: KPIs measure and quantify the ongoing performance of a contract or organisation. These are used in the BSF context to measure the performance of the Local Education Partnership, as part of the ongoing assessment of its delivery of value for money services to the local authority and its schools.

KS 1/2/3/4
Key Stages 1/2/3/4: Stages of the national curriculum / state education system in the UK, setting the educational knowledge expected of students at various ages. The secondary-age stages (i.e. those that relate to BSF) are Key Stage 3 (age 11-14 years) and Key Stage 4 (age 14-16 years).

LA
Local Authority

Learning Platform
A learning platform is an integrated set of interactive online services that provide teachers, learners, parents and others involved in education with information, tools and resources to support and enhance educational delivery and management.

LGA
Local Government Association: The LGA is a voluntary lobbying organisation, acting as the voice of the local government sector, and as an advocate on its behalf.

Lifecycle Costs
Amount of money necessary to own, operate and maintain a building over its useful life.

Local Choice Fund
Part of the ICT funding which allows choice of ICT equipment, peripherals and software by individual schools. The scale and parameters of this fund will be agreed between the local authority and its schools.

Local Education Partnership
A joint venture company formed by a local authority, BSFI and a Private Sector Partner (PSP) for local delivery of the BSF programme

Local Management of Schools (LMS)
The majority of funding available for schools is allocated directly to school budgets, allowing headteachers and governors independence to make decisions on priorities and use.

Local Partnerships
Public Private Partnership Programme: Local government’s project delivery specialist, Local Partnerships provides hands-on project support, gateway reviews, skills development and best-practice know-how, and provides support to local authorities for the BSF programme, through its Expert Client programme.

Location Factor
The Location Factor is the multiplier applied to base construction costs to reflect differences in the cost of construction across the country. This is generated annually by the DCSF. Where a joint procurement is proposed between two or more local authorities, it may be possible to use a single location factor, subject to agreement.

Main Review Approval (MRA)
A combined panel of DCSF, PfS, HMT and PUK representatives who consider and ultimately approve OBCs. (This panel replaced the previous Peer Review Group from Waves 1)

Managed Learning Environment (MLE)
The integration of student data and target setting information most commonly held on schools Management Information Systems (MIS) with virtual learning tools that can orchestrate and differentiate learning events most commonly found in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), along with communication tools, shared storage and third party learning objects, all linked together via a single sign-on process and accessible through a variety of web browsers.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
This is an agreement, signed by the Chief Executives of a local authority and PfS that confirms mutual obligations and the respective roles and responsibilities in delivering BSF both nationally and locally. This is signed before the local authority formally enters the BSF programme.

Non-departmental Public Body (NDPB)
The governance model for agencies established by Government to deliver specific objectives that are not part of a Government Department. Partnerships for Schools is a NDPB.

Ofsted
Office for Standards in Education: Ofsted inspects and regulates care of children and young people, and education and skills for learners of all ages.

OGC
Office of Government Commerce.

OJEU
Official Journal of the European Union: The journal in which the advert (also called a notice or tender) to the market for BSF schemes must be placed, once the OBC has been approved.

OSC
Office of Schools Commissioner: The Schools Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary of State for Schools, Children and Families, and has a national role to promote local choice for parents. This will involve encouraging the development of new Academies and trust schools. In BSF, officials of the OSC are closely involved in the analysis of each local authority’s Strategy for Change to ensure proposals will be genuinely transformational and offer diversity of choice.

Outline Business Case (OBC)
The OBC sets out in detail the scope, costs, affordability, risks, procurement route and timetable of the project in order for it to be approved by PfS, DCSF and the Project Review Group (if PFI is included), before a project is allowed to enter the procurement stages of the project. The OBC is written using guidance provided by PfS.

Output Specification - Facilities and Services (FSOS)
A detailed description of the functions that the new accommodation must be capable of performing. Usually split into building functions and service functions, including ICT. The Output Specification is intended to state only the outputs required of the services, and not the way in which the contractor will achieve these.

Partnerships for Schools (P4S)
responsible for delivering the government’s secondary school renewal programme, Building Schools for the Future

Payment Mechanism
The basis of payment to the contractor which provides for deductions for non-availability of spaces and non-performance by the contractor. Within the BSF programme, this is commonly used to incentivise good service quality for ICT and the delivery of facilities management services.

Personalised Learning
Learning and development opportunities tailored to an individual’s needs

PFI
Private Finance Initiative: A procurement route established in 1995, and more widely adopted since 1997. It is an important route for much Government spending on assets, as it transfers significant risks to the private sector. PFI requires private sector consortia to raise private finance to fund a project, which must involve investment in assets, and the long-term delivery of services to the public sector. In BSF, PFI is the funding route favoured for new build projects. The standard funding and delivery model for schools that are being entirely, or largely (e.g. >70%) rebuilt through the BSF programme.

PID
Project Initiation Document: Defines the BSF project in order to form the basis for the management and assessment of the success of the project. It provides a framework for the Project Board and the Project Manager to assess progress, change management and ongoing viability and to confirm to all stakeholders that the project has the necessary resource and capacity to deliver to the timescales established at its outset.

PITT
Preliminary Invitation to Tender: This stage of the procurement process invites Panel Members on the Framework to bid for the project by answering a set of questions based on their past performance on similar projects. The PITT is a standard template document consisting of questions which will assist the Local Authorities to assess the capability of the Panel Members to deliver the project. The Local Authorities are allowed to amend/add questions to the PITT to suit their particular project/programme, subject to approval by PfS. The outcome of the PITT assessment is to shortlist two Panel Members to enter into the subsequent (design) stage of the procurement process.

PLASC
Pupil Level Annual School Census

PLTS
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills: A key component of the revised secondary curriculum.

PPA
Preparation, Planning and Assessment (time)

PPP
Public Private Partnership: The term for the relationship formed between the private sector and public bodies often with the aim of introducing private sector resources and/or expertise in order to help provide and deliver public sector assets and services. The LEP is an example of a PPP.

PQ
Parliamentary Question

PQQ
Pre-Qualification Questionnaire: Bidders expressing an interest in the project advertised in the OJEU are issued with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire to establish whether potential bidders have the technical capacity and ability, economic and financial standing to deliver the project.

Preferred Bidder
The title given under the old negotiated procedure to the consortium that is selected to deliver a local authority's BSF programme, subject to successful negotiation of the final contractual forms and financial structure of the Local Education Partnership. See also Selected Bidder.

Primary Capital Programme (PCP)
The DCSF's programme for investment in primary schools in England. This funding can be delivered by LEPs.

Private Sector Partner (PSP)
The private sector organisation with which a local authority enters into a PPP or PFI contract. In BSF, the PSP will have the majority stake within the LEP, and may also be in direct contract (as an SPV) with the local authority through PFI contracts. The PSP is usually a consortium made up of a range of private sector companies working collaboratively. These might include construction companies, architects, technical specialists, landscape designers, ICT providers, legal advisors and education consultants.

Procurement
The acquisition of goods, works and services from both third party and in-house providers.

Programme Board
The Programme Board is established by the local authority to provide strategic direction and leadership to its BSF proposals. This will usually be given delegated authority to take certain decisions on behalf of the Council.

Programme Director
The title for the officer responsible for delivering a local authority's BSF programme on a day-to-day basis. PfS Project Director - the job title for the PfS staff who provide support and guidance to the local authority project team, and lead them through the standardised BSF process. A Project Director at PfS is assigned to each LA to throughout the planning and pre-procurement phases and will normally stay with the project for its duration. Where relevant, the LA will also be assigned a Project Director from the Academies team at PfS.

Project Owner
The senior officer acting for the authorities and responsible for monitoring and securing the successful achievement of the project objectives.

Project Sponser
The individual, usually the local authority's Chief Executive or DCS, ultimately responsible for leading their BSF project. This person does not lead or manage the project on a day-to-day basis, but represents it corporately and externally as its public 'voice' and advocate.

PRU
Pupil Referral Unit

Pubsec Index
Public Sector Index: The Index is an indicator of the trend in accepted tender prices for constructing public sector works in Great Britain. It is smoothed, includes scaling factors for location and building function, and adjustment factors are issued for eight groupings of counties covering Great Britain.

PUK
Partnerships UK: PUK was established by Government to accelerate the development, procurement and implementation of public private partnerships (PPPs). PUK works exclusively with and for the public sector. It is 44% owned by HM Treasury and 5% owned by Scottish Ministers.

Pupil Place Planning
The analysis of existing and anticipated pupil numbers to ensure that sufficient, but not surplus, school places are available in the future. This activity is undertaken by the local authority, in co-operation with PfS and DCSF.

Readiness to Deliver
A document submitted by local authorities prior to entry to the BSF programme which is used by PfS/DCFS to assess which wave local authorities should be allocated to. The RTD covers in summary form the education strategy, the procurement strategy and the project governance.

Rebuild/New Build
In BSF, the rebuilding of schools makes up approximately 50% of a local authority’s BSF funding allocation. The remaining 50% is dedicated to refurbishment of existing schools. See also ‘Refurbishment’.

Refurbishment (Heavy remodel, remodel and refresh)
Not all schools will be completely rebuilt under BSF. Refurbishments tend to make up 50% of a local authority’s funding (compared to 50% new build). There is also a distinction made between major refurbishment (including heavy remodel and remodel) (35%) and minor refurbishment (refresh) (15%). Local authorities should carefully consider the balance of new build to refurbishment so that they have sufficient flexibility across their programme, to ensure that later schools are not disadvantaged by any un-planned over-spend at earlier schools.

Remit Meeting
First formal meeting with a local authority as it begins a BSF project. A Remit meeting will involve the key personnel from the local authority (usually including the Chief Executive), PfS and DCSF, and will formally set out a number of objectives that all present have committed to take forward and deliver.

School Strategy for Change (SfC)
During a local authority's production of its Strategy for Change (SfC), each school within the local authority's BSF Wave will also be required to start developing its own School SfC, showing how the school will support the delivery of the local authority's objectives and remit, in light of its own needs and circumstances.

Section 77
The process for and limits on the disposal of school playing fields is set out in Section 77 of the School (Standards and Framework) Act 1998. Any formal application to dispose of a playing field is thus called a 'Section 77 application'.

South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL)
SWGfL provide maintained schools and many other educational establishments throughout the region with safe, secure and reliable broadband internet connectivity; broadband-enabled learning resources and services and help, support and advice in using the internet safely.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
learning difficulties or disabilities which make it harder to learn or access education

Stakeholder
anyone who has an interest in the BSF programme; from pupils and parents, to staff and governors, and construction companies to sponsors

Strategy for Change (SfC)
A document submitted to the DCSF outlining our vision for secondary education in Bournemouth & Poole (SfC part 1) and how we intend to achieve this vision (SfC part 2)

Sustainable Schools
schools that are built in the right locations to match the demand for current and future places

Trust School
Trust schools are state-funded foundation schools which receive extra support (usually non-monetary) from a charitable trust made up of partners working together for the benefit of the school. Any maintained school — primary, secondary or special schools (but not maintained nursery schools) — can become a Trust school. Trust schools remain local authority-maintained.

VfM
Value for Money: The technical term used to describe the analysis of whether investing in a proposal will produce the outcomes sought at an 'acceptable' cost. It does not mean choosing the cheapest option.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
A centrally accessible, web based piece of software that orchestrates and differentiates learning events, using a wide range of education appropriate virtual learning tools and can track an individual’s progress through a variety of tasks; flagging successes/concerns and giving opportunities for peer reviewing as well as teacher feedback.

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