Improved buildings boost pupil morale

The National Foundation for Educational Research carried out a before-and-after poll of pupils at the first school built through the government's multi-billion pound Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. It found the new surroundings improved attitudes to education and learning.

The number of pupils who said they felt safe at school most or all of the time increased from 57 to 87 per cent, while the percentage who said they felt proud of their school increased from 43 to 77.

The proportion of pupils who wanted to stay on in sixth form or go on to college also increased from 64 to 77 per cent. Vandalism, graffiti and littering were all said to be less of a problem and pupils' general enjoyment of school went up by 10 per cent.

David Carter, principal of the Bristol Brunel Academy, the school featured in the survey, said: "The building is one of the most intelligent I have had the pleasure to work in, and the feedback from the survey supports the evidence we have. The building is only one feature of our improvement journey, but what a feature it is."

Martin Ward, deputy general secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders, agreed that the BSF programme is laudable, but said it was long overdue. "Of course the school environment is important. Effectively society is telling students they are valued by spending money on schools. However, schools also need to be well-staffed and well-led," he said.

Ward added that any partnership involving a private sector provider must be approached with care. "We must learn from past private finance initiative contracts and make sure schools get value for money," he said.

John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said although new buildings give staff and students a boost, it is important to look at how that enthusiasm can be sustained. "Good leaders and staff make the difference," he said.

The BSF programme aims to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England within 15 years. It is run by Partnerships for Schools, which set up partnerships between councils and private sector companies.

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