Partnerships for Schools
Encyclopedia
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the joint venture company that was set up in 2004 to deliver the UK's Building Schools for the Future
(BSF) programme. In March 2006, PfS also took on responsibility for delivering the Academies programme, integrating delivery into BSF where possible.
PfS is a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF) (formerly the Department for Education and Skills), Partnerships UK
and private sector
companies.
Every state secondary school in England – around 3,500 in total – will be rebuilt or refurbished by PfS over the duration of the programme, affecting around 3.3 million young people and thousands of teachers.
As of September 2008 22 local authorities have now selected their private sector partner for BSF and in so doing have signed contracts worth £2.5bn that will see nearly 150 schools rebuilt or refurbished.
On the 16th June 2009 the new Schools Minister, Vernon Coaker, announced that from the 1st October 2009 Partnerships for Schools would also take on the responsibility for the distribution of capital for the Primary Capital Programme, Devolved Formula Capital and the Targeted Capital programme on behalf of the DCSF. Prior to this Partnerships for Schools had been charged with administering the cross government Co-location Fund.
PfS has been reported as being criticised by the National Audit Office
for being over optimistic in its targets, for using consultants uneconomically, and for having high staff costs (the Chief Executive and top four directors receive about £750,000 pa in total); the Shadow Schools Secretary has warned that it should 'slim down' its bureaucracy. It was also reported to have unsuccessfully attempted to censor unfavourable comments from a critical report by the Policy Exchange
think tank
.
It was announced in June 2011 that Partnership for Schools would be axed by April 2012 to be replaced with a new body called the Education Funding Agency.
Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future is the name of the previous UK Government's investment programme in secondary school buildings in England. The program is very ambitious in its costs, timescales and objectives, with politicians from all English political parties supportive of the principle but...
(BSF) programme. In March 2006, PfS also took on responsibility for delivering the Academies programme, integrating delivery into BSF where possible.
PfS is a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Children, Schools and Families
The Department for Children, Schools and Families was a department of the UK government, between 2007 and 2010, responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education...
(DCSF) (formerly the Department for Education and Skills), Partnerships UK
Partnerships UK
Parnerships UK was an organisation responsible for furthering public-private partnerships in the United Kingdom.-Origins:In July 1997 a private finance initiative taskforce was established within the Treasury to provide central co-ordination for the roll-out of PFI...
and private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
companies.
Every state secondary school in England – around 3,500 in total – will be rebuilt or refurbished by PfS over the duration of the programme, affecting around 3.3 million young people and thousands of teachers.
As of September 2008 22 local authorities have now selected their private sector partner for BSF and in so doing have signed contracts worth £2.5bn that will see nearly 150 schools rebuilt or refurbished.
On the 16th June 2009 the new Schools Minister, Vernon Coaker, announced that from the 1st October 2009 Partnerships for Schools would also take on the responsibility for the distribution of capital for the Primary Capital Programme, Devolved Formula Capital and the Targeted Capital programme on behalf of the DCSF. Prior to this Partnerships for Schools had been charged with administering the cross government Co-location Fund.
PfS has been reported as being criticised by the National Audit Office
National Audit Office
National Audit Office can refer to:* Australian National Audit Office* National Audit Office * National Audit Office of the People's Republic of China* Swedish National Audit Office...
for being over optimistic in its targets, for using consultants uneconomically, and for having high staff costs (the Chief Executive and top four directors receive about £750,000 pa in total); the Shadow Schools Secretary has warned that it should 'slim down' its bureaucracy. It was also reported to have unsuccessfully attempted to censor unfavourable comments from a critical report by the Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange is a British conservative think tank based in London. The Daily Telegraph has described it as "the largest, but also the most influential think tank on the right"...
think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
.
It was announced in June 2011 that Partnership for Schools would be axed by April 2012 to be replaced with a new body called the Education Funding Agency.
External links
- Partnerships for Schools
- Tim Byles, Partnerships for Schools Chief Executive, interview at Building Schools Exhibition 09 (video)