Suitability

This element of the Asset Management Plan for Schools focuses on the quality of premises to meet curriculum, management and other issues, which may impact on the role of the school and the Authority in raising educational standards.

The method of assessment as recommended by DfES guidance aims to identify premises problems relating to the number, size, shape, location and other factors, which have a significant impact on the delivery of the curriculum and/or the operational efficiency of schools. This method applies to all Nursery, Lower, Middle, Upper and Special schools.

The assessment is a two-stage exercise:

Stage 1: involves a room-by-room appraisal of those spaces where there are considered to be problems. Schools have been requested to take the lead in carrying out the qualitative aspects of the process i.e. identifying spaces where there are problems, and particularly making judgements about the effects of accommodation problems on curriculum delivery. These are then identified on a Suitability Survey.

Stage 2: involves comparing existing provision in schools with an optimum standard or Bedfordshire model in order to identify any surplus or short fall, and categorising the impact of any shortfalls on standards of education. The LA undertakes this task by analysing space requirements, co-ordinating surveys, moderating assessments between schools so as to ensure consistency and fairness and then completing a DfES Suitability Summary Pro Forma.

The DfES uses the information collected from all schools in England to determine capital allocations. For this reason there is a requirement on all LAs to moderate returns within national guidelines whilst reflecting local needs. In March 2006 we asked head-teachers to help us better align resources to the most pressing suitability issues in schools by responding to a consultation. The response has provided a useful steer to target resources towards teaching areas which has led to a slight lowering of the priority previously given to non-teaching spaces. A submission to the DfES meeting the requirements of the national guidelines was submitted and accepted in August 2006

We are at present working with Mouchel Parkman to introduce a new computerised property asset register which, it is anticipated, will provide a comprehensive package for recording and reporting on Bedfordshire County Council's properties. Significantly it will integrate the three aspects of Asset Management Plans, Condition, Suitability and Sufficiency, and enable the information to be shared directly with schools more easily. We anticpate a launch to schools during 2007.