The kids who have just settled into first year will have to face settling into a new school again. How will the transition take place? How do the kids get to meet the pupils/staff before starting the new school?
The Head Teacher and his/her senior management team will lead this process, in consultation with BAM. Again it is important to stress that all parties are keen that children will be well familiarized with the new school both in design and sustainability issues.
How do you plan to familiarize all pupils with the building and layout given that the new school will be a building site until July 2009?
The construction programme is highly detailed which will allow the new Head Teacher to plan, during the summer term of 2009, for pupils to do supervised walk-rounds in areas of the new school that are already complete or substantially complete. Drawings and fly-through computer models will be available for pupils to see. Pupils continue to get supervised site visits throughout the construction phase.
What plans are in place to familiarise staff, especially teachers, with the new school and its facilities? Who will carry out the snagging work identified?
Staff have been involved in the design development since before Preferred Bidder stage. Familiarisation will be as described above for pupils. As above staff also take part in site visits during the construction phase.
Snagging will be carried out by BAM FM.
In the event of delays in opening what does WDC propose to do with first year pupils who are already in a vulnerable position because of starting at the new school? Can WDC reassure parents that young people will not be moved mid-year with all the upheaval that causes?
Very few PPP schools have been delivered later than programme. BAM has a very good record of completing on time. The project is currently on programme, however due to the detailed programme information and the weekly client/contractor meetings we will know in good time of any slippage. Heavy penalties will be incurred in the event of contractor slippage.
However, reassurance cannot be given that pupils will not be moved mid-year – if the school is handed over later than mid August, arrangements will be made to move into it during term time to mitigate heavy costs to the Council and to ensure that the primary will be completed on time.
Will any equipment in the existing schools be used in the new schools? How and when will this be moved to the new school or, if no equipment will transfer, what will be done with the current equipment in the schools? Could this be recycled to other schools or donated to other countries?
Interactive boards, CDT equipment and all curricular equipment that complies with current legislation and that is in good order will be transferred from the existing schools. An outline inventory of all such equipment has been drafted and is being checked for compliance with all necessary obligations and legislation. Transfer of equipment will be as late as is practically possible to allow maximum usage for the schools before closure.
Any usable equipment not transferred to the new school will be recycled to other schools where appropriate.
Have the contractors made use of / are making use of Architecture and Design Scotland's (A+DS) school design programme? This gives specialist advice to councils in the design of schools and it would be reassuring to parents to know that it had been or is being used.
BAM’s architectural consultants used their extensive experience in school design, taking into account modern and practical design, quality of materials, aesthetics, sustainability and life cycle implementation. They extensively used professional educational consultants to ensure the highest degree of practicality with reference to curriculum and circulation. Liaison with police ensured that “Secure by Design” standards were achieved. BAM also used another architectural practice and their own in house architects as design champions, challenging every decision and proposal.
WDC did not use ADS directly, however we did employ Architectural consultants who have experience in exemplar school designs, indeed they have architects who evaluate for ADS. The consultant evaluated our designs and ensured that the Authority would receive the highest quality 21st century schools, designed fit for purpose.
We are confident that our new schools will be among, if not the, best examples of PPP schools in the country both in terms of suitability, design and sustainability.
Is there a theatre? What about theatrical productions – where will these be staged and what will be the facilities – stage, lighting, sound, projection, etc.?
The assembly hall with its bleacher seating to cover 50% of the capacity (loose chairs will provide the other 50%) will function as a very flexible theatre space. There is also a drama studio with studio performance space.
Does WDC envisage the pupils staying within the school at break and lunch times?
Pupils will continue to be encouraged to stay within the school grounds at lunchtimes, however this cannot be imposed. Pupils must stay within campus at break times.
The facilities will encourage many to remain within campus.
Would suggest that no "burger vans" be allowed in the immediate vicinity of the school.
The licensing of “burger vans” and the like is outwith the control of Educational Services. In general terms, vans can trade anywhere on public highways, and cannot be excluded from roads immediately surrounding schools. In fact, if vans were excluded from trading “on the school’s doorstep” their more distant locale would only encourage those children determined to use them to walk further from the school premises.
Will the science labs be approved by an external authority (e.g. the Royal Society for Chemistry) as being inspiring places for teaching practical science that fully meet all the requirements of teaching science in a safe and contemporary way?
No, however we have used ESA (a recognised industry specialist company for science lab design, layout and equipment), WDC science specialists and teachers, and other PPP-experienced Authorities.
(The outside authorities that we have consulted with are RNID, the Autistic Society and Sportscotland).
What about the teaching of foreign languages? What will be the provision of facilities in the new schools?
Foreign languages will be taught. The schools includes 6 or 7 languages teaching rooms and a Foreign Language Assistant room depending on size.
Will the new school have facilities for the teaching of music?
Yes. The school includes music rooms (one equipped for recording) music practice rooms and music tutorial rooms.
What will be the sports facilities?
Internal sports facilities: 1 Games Halls, 2 or 3 Gymnasia, 1 Dance Studio (St.Peter’s only), 1 Fitness Suite.
External sports facilities: 1 all weather floodlit football pitch, 1 all weather floodlit hockey pitch, 1 grass football ( 2no V.O.L.A)/rugby pitch, 1 6-lane floodlit all weather running track (St.Peters only) and basket ball court Clydebank H.S.
We are confident that the facilities will fully support the curriculum. As is the case for all school accommodation, the sports facilities will be available for out of hours community use. This will not impact on the school’s needs. Council has still to determine the cost of letting the facilities. All income generated will go to the Council.
