MPs warn over new school buildings

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The government's programme for building schools will only be successful if teachers and pupils are more involved in the planning process, MPs have said.

In a report published on Thursday, the Commons education and skills committee said that the £45bn 'Building schools for the future' scheme provided the opportunity to ensure that new buildings are designed to help children learn.

However, it pointed to several issues which needed to be addressed to ensure the programme was as effective as possible.

These included "a clear statement" from the Department for Children, Schools and Families on national ambitions for education, with guidance for local authorities.

The report called on ministers to address the issue of carbon emissions from schools, which form a significant part of the sustainability element of the building scheme.

It also warned of significant risks in using private finance initiatives to fund half of the cost, and said the government should outline the sustainability of local authorities' revenue commitments.

Committee chairman Barry Sheerman welcomed the "hugely ambitious" scope of the project but called for clear targets to be developed to measure the scheme's success.

He also said "the question of whether BSF is the best way to spend £45bn on education" should be kept under regular review.

"If the government is serious about educational innovation it must provide bold leadership to the whole sector," he said.

"Research, innovation, the spread of good practice and action based on evidence should be at the heart of transformation.

"Schools and local authorities should also have the freedom to innovate and develop local solutions. Teachers and students need to be closely involved from the outset and the vital importance of their input should not be underestimated.

"The project's success lies in clear thinking and early planning, not in rushing to meet self-imposed deadlines. If the aim of BSF is to transform the educational experiences of pupils and to embed sustainability, then due time, care and attention must be taken to get it right."

Liberal Democrat schools spokesman Stephen Williams said: "It is right that no child should be educated in sub-standard buildings.

"But ministers must not fall into the trap of believing that flagship schools alone will transform educational standards. Pupils need inspiring teachers and a relevant curriculum as well."

He warned of "serious sustainability issues", with schools currently contributing 15 per cent of public sector carbon emissions.

"The prime minister's preference for PFI deals, which finance about £22.5bn of BSF, also carries a significant future risk," Williams added.

"The government should ensure that if pupil numbers fall, local councils will not be left to shoulder the PFI costs."