Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the Government's single largest investment programme in education in this country for over 50 years. It is a £43 billion national programme to rebuild or remodel all secondary schools.
Our plans for education in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow upon Soar
We were delighted to have been invited by Partnership for Schools(Central Government), to submit our completed Readiness to Deliver (RTD) document on 29th January 2010. The submission of the RTD represents a key milestone in Leicestershire's preparations to enter the BSF programme and demonstrates the Council's committment to transform learning in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow.
You can view the document on the following link: Readiness to Deliver
Latest Position
With regret, the County Council's application to the Government for BSF funding for Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow has not been successful in this latest round.
A disappointing funding result - a comment from the Leader of the County Council
The Leader of Leicestershire County Council, David Parsons, said he was deeply disappointed by the Government decision not to award funding to improve secondary education in Loughborough.
“The decision is all the more regrettable given the recent news about AstraZeneca and shows the Government’s support for Loughborough in a really poor light.
“I will do all I can to ensure that the one through school model for Loughborough, which many parents have spoken to me about, is delivered. However, I’m also aware of the views wishing to retain education provision on the Limehurst site.
“What neither the County Council nor the Government can ignore is the big problem of surplus school places in Loughborough – currently 700.
“It is clear that something has to be done."
What will happen next?
The County Council will not be able to make much further progress in the re-organisation of schools in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow until we are clear about the availability of capital funding from Central Government. We have been informed that any decision on capital will not be made until after the spending review recently announced by the Coalition Government. We understand that the review will not be published until November 2010.
'More than new school buildings'
Transforming learning is about much more than just new school buildings. Here's what it would mean:
- Better results - Secondary schools will be for ages 11-19. There will be no need to move school at age 14 - which many pupils find difficult. We believe this will improve results, particularly at GCSE.
- More subjects - There will be more subjects to choose from at age 14 and at GCSE. Pupils could also take a GCSE at another school if they wanted to. There will be more vocational diplomas including construction, public services, health and beauty, and travel and tourism.
- More specialisms - Business and enterprise, mathematics and computing, modern languages and engineering will be new specialisms added to schools to join their usual curriculum. Pupils could take courses they're passionate about at schools with expertise in that area.
- Early exams - Pupils will learn at a pace that suits them. For example, they will not be held back and could take a GCSE subject early.
- Choice of schools - There could be two secondary catchment areas - one for Quorn and Barrow and one for Loughborough, giving a choice of schools in those areas, or a single catchment for the whole area. This is part of our consultation.
Background information:
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Useful external links:
Page Last Updated: 5 October 2010
