The Public Accounts Committee has published a report looking at 'Building Schools for the Future' (BSF), to renew every secondary school in England, and MPs have said that from the beginning it has been "poorly planned" and "over-optimistic".

Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, said: "Centralising the management of the programme has had benefits. But the Department and Partnerships for Schools must dispel the air of complacency which surrounds them - by indicating in detail how they propose to speed up the pace of delivery and finish the programme on time. It's going to be a tall order to double the number of schools being procured and constructed.

"The Department should also explain how it is going to measure the success of the programme in contributing to improved educational attainment and the life chances of children. We need to know how far the estimated £52 billion to £55 billion spent will deliver the envisaged educational outcomes. And schools and local authorities themselves should be provided with more help than they have been given so far on how to achieve these educational objectives."


Mr Leigh was speaking as the Committee published its 27th Report of this Session which, on the basis of evidence from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, examined the cost and progress of the programme, the use of Local Education Partnerships, the efficiency and effectiveness of the central programme management and the effect of the recession on the programme.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families' BSF plans to renew every secondary school in the country, by rebuilding half of them, structurally remodelling 35%, refurbishing and providing Information Communication Technology to all. Its aim is to use capital investment in new buildings as a catalyst to improve educational outcomes. The Department estimates that the programme will cost £52–£55 billion over its lifetime.

According to the report it is too early to conclude whether BSF will achieve its educational objectives. To date, over-optimism has meant the programme could not live up to expectations. Establishing Partnerships for Schools to manage the programme centrally has helped local authorities to deliver more effectively, but while Local Education Partnerships have potential advantages, their value for money is yet to be proven.

(CD/JM)