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You will find a list of frequently asked questions about the Oldham BSF programme below. If you have any questions you would like to see added please email bsf@oldham.gov.uk.
Some questions about Academies and staffing issues have been answered in the council’s factsheets.
You can also find out the answers to other frequently asked questions on the Government’s BSF website.
How is Building Schools for the Future different to previous school building initiatives?
The biggest difference is the sheer scale of the BSF programme. Oldham Council has secured in excess of £200 million, the most money Oldham has ever had to spend on education. This will mean that every secondary school in the borough will benefit in some way.
What alternative to BSF is there?
The traditional budget Oldham Council has to spend on schools is still available, though this is small in comparison to the money that BSF will provide. Use of the council’s existing resources is limited to ‘patching and mending’ schools, rather than the complete transformation BSF will bring.
Many of Oldham’s school buildings have served generations of children well, but are no longer suitable to equip students with the skills they need to meet the challenges they will face in the future. Oldham’s school results are improving year on year, however BSF will help to raise standards further and provide the state-of-the-art facilities that our young people deserve.
The programme will mean that all children and young people in Oldham benefit from well-designed and efficient, modern secondary school buildings and facilities that will help us continue to raise educational attainment for Oldham’s children. Schools will also be able to make their improved facilities available to the wider community so more people can benefit.
BSF will provide Oldham with a new generation of schools that will serve students and the whole community for decades to come. BSF will also provide the opportunity for young people from Oldham’s diverse communities to learn and grow up together.
What do you mean by 'state of the art 21st century facilities'?
Britain, like all other developed countries, is facing increased competition and this means that for young people to succeed they will need more skills and better qualifications than ever before.
Many school buildings are of ageing design and are inappropriate to the way education will be delivered in future. To raise educational standards, existing schools need to be made better and new school buildings must be well designed and built to be suitable for our educational needs in years to come.
Today’s schools need to be able to accommodate a more diverse curriculum, new ways of learning and new technology. Schools also need to provide resources for the community as a whole, and pupils with special educational needs. As new school buildings will serve their communities for many years to come it is important that they are high quality, attractive buildings, and flexible enough to adapt to future challenges.
Some school buildings are no longer suitable for our needs or to provide the top class education the borough’s children and young people deserve. Additionally, Oldham’s school population is declining and we both want and need to give young people from Oldham’s diverse communities the opportunity to learn and grow up together.
It is important that the council acts now to ensure schools continue to thrive and develop in the long term. The whole of the secondary school provision is being looked at to ensure we have the right number of schools in the right places.
No school will be closed without full consultation with students, parents and staff.
Will all schools be built at the same time?
No. The development will be arranged over a number of phases, to ensure that we minimise the disruption to pupils and staff while this takes place. This means that the entire building programme is likely to take several years to complete.
It is anticipated that the new schools would start to be open from 2012.
Will my child have to move schools while his/hers is being refurbished?
It is too early to say at this stage, however every effort will be made to minimise any disruption of this kind. We have experience of addressing these issues successfully with the new Failsworth and The Radclyffe schools.
What will happen if I don’t want my child to attend a school that will be closing in a few years?
There is no reason to avoid a particular school because it is named as closing. At this stage it is not possible to specify when, and indeed if, schools will close and when new schools will open. Parents can be assured however that new state of the art facilities will be available to their children when schools do close.
Key to the success of this venture is keeping the high quality staff currently in our schools and successful recruitment in the meantime. As the scheme progresses, therefore, the council is committed to working closely with schools, unions and staff to ensure stability and continuity.
What if some schools don’t want to be involved?
All schools have been involved in the discussions so far. They share inand are committed to the overall vision. For this project to succeed it is essential that all schools are involved.
What if a child is due to sit exams when the programme starts? How will the council support them and ensure they are not adversely affected?
We have experience of addressing this issue successfully with the new Failsworth and The Radclyffe schools. It is a primary concern of the council to ensure that there is minimal negative impact on any young person’s education during the transition. This is all about improving opportunities for our children and young people.
What is the impact of BSF on primary schools?
There will be no direct impact on primary schools.
Why does the programme focus on secondary schools rather than primary?
BSF funding is available for secondary schools only. However the Government has announced a separate programme of investment in primary schools, which we are currently planning for.
What about specialist schools?
Depending upon the outcome of the consultation it is possible that the specialist status of some schools may change.
Will parents, staff, pupils and neighbours be involved in decisions relating to whether to go ahead with proposed reorganisations?
Yes - consultation meetings have been and will continue to be held to gauge opinion on proposals. Following the outcome of the consultation, Oldham Council will consider the proposals and decide the outcome. The Secretary of State for Education will make the final decisions about proposed Academies. Neighbours of any new school will be able to express their views as part of the planning process.
Will staff and pupils be involved in decisions relating to the location, design and features of the new school?
We are keen to involve staff and pupils in working with us to ensure that any proposed school meets their realistic requirements.
Will the requirements of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities be catered for in the new school designs?
Yes - The facilities created will comply with the latest legislation. Compared to many existing school buildings, this is an opportunity to substantially improve accessibility and inclusion.
Will transport of pupils to, from and around school be considered?
Yes. Locally, the planning process will consider transport issues and the internal design of the school will take into consideration pupil flows and their needs. There will be no change to the council's transport policy as a result of this scheme.
Where can I get further information on the project?
You can find out more on the council’s BSF web pages at www.oldham.gov.uk/bsf.
There are also many national websites that provide detailed information about BSF. These include:
If you have any further questions please email bsf@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 3287.