BSEC is the calendar event for the £9.3 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, and BSEC event director Sam Jennings points out, “In the current economic climate the multi-billion pound programme has been a lifeline for the industry. This has meant incredible interest in the event, as attending in strength is arguably a matter of survival.”
Jenning adds, “There’s intense concern over what will happen if we have a change of government. Furthermore the need to reduce costs is on everyone’s mind. There’s also the question of how these projects will be paid for if private finance is still hard to find.”
BSEC 2010 will continue to highlight the best in design and construction of educational buildings. There will be scrutiny of the assumption of delivery of all school building and refurbishment programmes by Partnerships for Schools, the future for academies and what this means for architects and contractors.
Jennings says, “The line-up for this year’s conference is stellar. We already have confirmed film producer and education philanthropist David Puttnam, education select committee chair Barry Sheerman, academy foundation head and former schools commissioner Sir Bruce Liddington and former secretary of state for education Estelle Morris. All will address what will happen to the school investment programmes after the election.”
New to BSEC this year:
BSEC will boast three new features to its exhibition floor this year, namely the ‘Design my Learning Space LIVE’ competition, the Head Teacher zone and the Danish Pavilion.
Intended as a fun and collaborative way to explore design challenges in real schools with real clients, The Design my Learning Space LIVE! Competition, will see teams designing innovative solutions for a series of briefs set by primary and secondary schools, addressing a range of challenges in education with a panel of experts awarding prizes for the best designs.
The Head Teacher Zone encompasses a series of presentations over the two days aimed at helping head teachers and deputies learn from their peers. With other head teachers at various stages in the BSF process sharing their experiences and advising on planning input to the BSF process, the presentations will give an insight on minimising disruption and ensuring schools are rebuilt or remodelled on time and to the highest standards.
The Danish Pavilion is organised by the Dutch Embassy and will involve several companies involved in kitting out Denmark’s new schools. See the Danish approach to innovative building design and their dedication to preparing teachers to adapt to brand new learning environments.
The move to London:
The BSEC remains the only event in Britain that caters for everybody involved in school building projects, from planning, through commercial management to the use of new or renovated buildings.
Commenting on BSEC’s move to London this year, BSEC conference manager Michael Stewart explained: “The last BSEC was in Manchester, but the event has outgrown the venue’s capacity to hold everyone wishing to exhibit and attend. The fact that a substantive tranche of school spending and schools are in London and the South East must also be recognised.
“We expect to grow the audience significantly by moving to London. However, key to the growing interest in this year’s event is the future of the BSF programme – a question that has meant attending the event could, arguably, be a matter of survival for some organisations.”
What will the election bring?
The timing of the coming general election makes this year’s BSEC especially crucial for a sector concerned about the impact of a change of Government or a hung Parliament. Whoever has their hands on the country’s driving wheel expects cuts in public spending and the need to reduce costs is on everyone’s mind, especially anyone responsible for making sure build budgets remain intact.
As the post election government starts to turn promises into working policies, it will be essential that they confirm who will pay for the necessary investment in the next generation of 21st century learning places? This is why attendance at the next BSEC is essential to anyone involved the rebuilding of learning centres, local communities and the UK economy.
Key to the event will of course be the question ‘What will happen to the government’s Building Schools for the Future programme?’
This will be only one of the questions asked and hopefully answered by the high profile speakers lined up to discuss subjects ranging from ‘Setting the scene for 2010’ to ‘The view from a contractor’.
“As we slip into what may become a period of social unrest and tough budget decisions it is essential that everyone involved in the commercial, design and construction issues impacting education come together to emphasise the importance of the continued investment in schools and places of learning,” adds Stewart.
“To lessen any emphasis on learning, educational facilities and supporting budgets will be a disaster. Although everyone understands the challenges facing a future government having to balance the books it remains a pivotal role of BSEC 2010 to ensure the powers that are, and will be, understand the dangers of removing funding from the sector,” he concludes.
Conference guide at a glance
Day one
09.45
The morning plenary session
Setting the scene for BSEC 2010 –Professor Stephen Heppell
Fostering tomorrow’s creatives – Lord Puttnam, film producer and education philanthropist
Partnerships for Schools –Tim Byles, chief executive, Partnerships for Schools
Ensuring design quality in the teeth of the recession – Paul Finch, chair, CABE
11.45
Ty Goddard, chief executive, BCSE
Thoughts of a former headteacher – Glynis Gower, former headteacher of Penistone Grammar School and educationalist with BAM PPP
13.40
Panel: Schools capital programmes for the future
14.55
Delegates choice: five sessions allowing more detailed interaction and discussion on specific topics
- Desig
- ICT in the BSF programme
- Sustainability
- Academies
- The BCSE Great Schools Inquiry
Day two
10.00
The morning plenary session
The school as the keystone of the community – Tony McGuirk, chairman, BDP
The view from the contractor – Mike Peasland, group managing director, Balfour Beatty
Panel: School capital programmes as catalysts for sustainable regeneration
A partnership to deliver more than just buildings – Stephen Beechey, education sector leader, Laing O’Rourke
12.20
BCSE Great Schools Inquiry & Commission – Baroness Morris of Yardley, BCSE commission chair and former Secretary of State for Education
Panel: The educators respond:
Hear what members of the NAHT, NUT, ASCL and NGA are telling their representative bodies about BSF and other school capital programmes, and their effectiveness to date.
14.30
Delegates choice: four sessions allowing more detailed interaction and discussion on specific topics:
- Co-located services
- The primary capital programme
- Interiors and remodelling, getting more for less
- Learning from Denmark
