New guide for better schools

Entitled Building best value schools, the guide provides practical advice to local education authorities (leas) to support clients in the education sector in adopting best value principles.

The guide uses experiences gained from school-build demonstration projects, including: the involvement at design stage of pupils and staff; the integration of construction into the school curriculum; and the selection of contractors on quality criteria alone.

Adrian Terry from Rethinking Construction said that the leas have a vital role to play in the successful rebuilding of schools in the UK. "The close links with schools, local communities, Government and the construction industry means that they have an in-depth knowledge of cost ownership issues, and are well placed to ensure that construction takes full account of schools' immediate and longer term requirements." Terry also stressed that the relationships between leas, designers and constructors were key to minimising the disturbance that construction work can have. The guide is sponsored by the CITB, the Department for Education and Skills, and CABE.