Building Schools for the Future (BSF): Somerset
RIO has been strategically working with Somerset County Council since 2007 to ensure that young people in Bridgwater are a key part of the BSF process and have real impact on the procurement and design of the new buildings, artwork and installations created through BSF.
Background
The first wave of BSF work in Somerset involves six Bridgwater schools (secondary and special (SEN)) which are being redesigned and rebuilt over the next five years.
RIO has been working with Somerset County Council on BSF in several ways:
- Advising on and ensuring the BSF procurement documents (PQQ, ITPD, ITCD, Output Specifications) express and clearly state Somerset Count Council’s expectations around young people and stakeholder engagement in BSF including the commissioning of public art, followed by the evaluation of submissions at each stage.
- Designing and delivering a comprehensive programme of student engagement in school design
- Designing and delivering the process of public art commissioning, including contracting arrangements and documents
- Playing a key role in developing the arts and cultural strategy, and its profile, for Somerset BSF working with other arts providers to ensure the potential of the joined up offer of arts organisations is fully realised in the regeneration of buildings and communities.
- Facilitating the educational visioning process that will lead to the design brief with non-sample schools.
“Who better than young people to articulate experiences of learning, feelings and needs within their school community? This project is about educational and community transformation and we believe the engagement of young people is of critical importance. The students in our schools are not simply tomorrow’s communities, but are capable people with a genuine desire and the ability to be involved in developing their communities and schools. This understanding is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.” Julie Walker, Somerset BSF Transformation Manager
The Work Itself
“BSF has allowed me to give my ideas and get a lot of responsibility. I am excited to see the end result for our new school because the models that I’ve seen are looking spectacular. I am very proud to say that I am in the expert client group, it has been a wonderful experience.” Hollie Gale, aged 12
As part of the schools project, young people from the six Bridgwater schools were invited to become BSF Ambassadors to represent the town of Bridgwater, meet and brief bidding teams of contractors and then select a lead artist for all the schools. As Connor Woolrich, of Robert Blake Science College, explains: “We are the middle men, taking ideas back and forward, and bringing all the schools together.”
The young people then helped set up two teams back in their own schools, one Public Art Commissioning Group to write a brief, select artists for their school and approve their emerging ideas, and one Design Review Panel to review and score the new designs for their school from architects.
Using the same scoring system as the County Council, they then fed back their thoughts and scores to be considered as part of the evaluation of the overall bids for the huge BSF contract for Somerset.
Impact
“I have learnt a lot of things, such as reading architectural plans, learning vocabulary and understanding all issues involved in constructing buildings. We have done many things, from meeting each other at the start, not knowing a thing, to working as a team discussing issues. Not only have I learnt these skills but I have also made new friends and met new people.”
I enjoy working with the expert client group, we have been on trips, to Bristol, and been to multiple schools. We have learnt the good points and the bad points of the structures we have seen, and how they could be improved or not. I would love to get involved in more things like this.” Glyn Morgan, 15, Chilton Trinity Technology College.
“Glyn always enjoyed school but did not always feel part of it. He has enjoyed being a part of a piece of history. This has enabled him to explore a range of talents that he would not be afforded at a school. It has given both skills and direction and we have seen him grow in confidence as a result of this engagement.” Pat Hollinghurst, headteacher Chilton Trinity Technology College
“The young people of Bridgwater are a credit, and very professional. Every child’s ideas have mattered, and continue to matter, to us.” Julia Ridge, Somerset BSF Programme Director
For more information about RIO’s work in Bridgwater and how RIO could help you deliver your BSF programme contact Kim Tilbrook
Get in touch about working with RIO on BSF on 08458621288 or 07833 668694
Find out more about RIO’s work supporting schools to innovate and improve.
