Capital investment in school buildings is vital if the UK is to deliver a world-class standard of education for all. We need to create environments that inspire and support both teachers and pupils, that drive innovation, and that deliver personalised learning. The current Government has committed substantial resources to school building and renewal through its PFI initiatives to date, and BSF offers an opportunity to learn from the experience of the last few years to create a new approach which more closely links the transformation of standards to capital investment.

The Government is stressing that the starting point for the renewal of the educational estate is an educational vision, not just within an individual school but across the whole school estate of an area. This must be based on the needs of local people and the wider community, including employers and community groups.

The vision should incorporate among other things:

• Every secondary school in the area having a particular curriculum specialism
• Schools working collaboratively, including primary schools making use of facilities in secondaries
• ICT being integral to teaching and learning and not a bolt-on
• First-class working environments for pupils and staff.
• Community and out-of-hours teaching and learning playing an important part in school life
• A full range of academic and vocational education to be available for the 14-19 age group
• Better planning of school places across an area to allow the expansion of popular schools (and by implication the closure of less popular).

To help support this process P4S (Partnership for Schools) announced on the 18 January the launch of the Educational Advisory Services Framework and Cocentra is delighted to have been successful in being appointed to this framework contract.

Our Educational Advisory Services can provide additional expert capacity to help Local Authorities and LEAs create an outstanding local vision, business case, together with support and involvement with the on-going LEP (Local Educational Partnership) or other partnership processes. We can also act as an educational focus to support you when dealing with construction companies, ICT providers and other key suppliers and contractors. Also, educational professionals such as Head Teachers, LEA staff together with other Council Officers may already be too busy to focus on the substantial additional tasks and challenges that a significant investment programme such as this requires. In short, we are here to help with expert professional advice and support in any way you feel is best suited to your local needs.

Our staff are trained and accredited to cover areas particularly relevant to the BSF programme, for example – evaluating strengths and weaknesses of education vision statements, delivering on the essential components of an education vision, core programme measures, detail on the  BFS programme itself, LEP model and management, scope of framework agreements, role of the education adviser, understanding LEA, school and local community needs, delivering the transformation,  practical issues and solutions for Head Teachers, lessons from PFI and elsewhere and where to find the best advice and resources.

View more detail on our Educational Advisory Services capabilities.

View the Cocentra Accredited Professionals CVs.

View the Cocentra Vision Model and Partnership Model.

If we can be of any help to you with this programme or indeed any other work, please contact  Nick.Blackwell@cocentra.com or my direct line 0845 009 4032 or my colleague Steve.Davies@cocentra.com or his direct line 0845 009 4038.

Cocentra Capabilites

Cocentra is able to demonstrate its capacity and capability to deliver the following services:

1. Support in developing a clear and coherent education vision, and documenting it consistent with the requirements of the DfES approval framework. This would include:

• Standards of pupil attainment; Weak or failing schools; Strength of leadership at LEA and school level; Curriculum strengths and weaknesses;
• Condition and suitability of school buildings; Provision of secondary schooling and its location; Demographics;
• Inclusion and equality issues; SEN;
• Sixth form provision; and,
• Provision of ICT.

Consideration of key policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment, including:

• ICT; 14-19 Agenda; SEN, inclusion and equality;
• Specialist provision; Diversity; pupil places; parental choice; academies; federations;
• Pupil behaviour and attendance;
  School workforce remodelling; and, 
• Extended, full service and community use.Consideration of key BSF themes, including:
• design of teaching spaces with flexibility for a changing curriculum; responsiveness to developments in ICT;
• characteristics of inclusive schools; and,
• design of social spaces contributing to improved behaviour.

  Assessment of contribution of proposed education schemes to a local economic and social regeneration.

2. Support for the development of proposals, plans and business cases based on the agreed education vision, including:

• estate strategies; strategic business cases; outline business cases.

3. Support on education matters relevant to local procurement processes, including:

• description of education vision and related matters in procurement documents;
• identification of education-related evaluation criteria and evaluating education component of bids.

If we can be of any help to you with this programme or indeed any other work, please contact me at Nick.Blackwell@cocentra.com or my direct line 0845 009 4032 or my colleague Steve.Davies@cocentra.com or his direct line 0845 009 4038. 

Accredited Professionals

• Name:  Jonathan Harris

  Professional qualifications:
  B.A (Hons) (Econ); M. Sc (Econ)

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Programme Director
  Regional Director South West
  Regional Director London and the South East

• Local Education Advice and Support:
• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly Specialist provision
• Diversity
• Support on the development of proposals
• Support on education matters relevant to local procurement
• National Education advice and support
• Planning for and delivery of transformational educational change
• Developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision
• Educational elements of national approval processes

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Economic Adviser Department for Education and Science 1976 -1980
• Administrator Department for Education and Science 1980-1988
• Assistant Director Development and Planning Wiltshire 1988-1991
• Deputy Director of education Cornwall 1991-1994
• Director of education Arts and libraries Cornwall 1994-2002
• Chief executive English Schools Foundation Hong Kong 2003
• Freelance Consultant 2003- (Clients included LEAs, DfES Academies Division, International Curriculum and assessment Agency)
• Cocentra Director Capital Development Programmes 2004 to date

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Responsible as Director in Cornwall for 280 schools
• Led School Diversity Pathfinder with DfES 2002
• LEA judged “Excellent” by CPA
• Responsible for major new school building planning, development and design in Swindon during a period of major expansion

   

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  Name: Peter Rabbett

  Professional qualifications:
  MA. University of London 1980;  B.Ed University of London 1972; OFSTED Registered Inspector 1994; OFSTED Accredited Trainer 1994

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Regional Director, London and the South East, and South West

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly Specialist provision, ICT: 14 – 19, Diversity
• Support on the development of proposals
• Support on education matters relevant to local procurement
• National Education advice and support
• Planning for and delivery of transformational educational change
  Developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision
• Educational elements of national approval processes

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Evaluation of LEA policy and practice in preparation for Inspection. (15 LEAs 1998 – 2004)
• Preparation and evaluation of pathfinder proposal for BSF November 2003
• Support to DfES/SchoolWorks/Southwark Education remodelling programme 2002 – 2003: advice on school improvement elements and ICT procurement options of the programme
• National evaluation of Phase 2 Education Action Zone (EAZ) Action Plans for DfES 2002
• Project Management for design and build of OpenZone the South Tyneside City Learning Centre 2002 – 2003
• Project planning for 5 City Learning Centres nationally 2001 – 2003
• Development, evaluation and implementation of Excellence in Cities, Excellence Challenge and Excellence Cluster Partnerships 2001 – 2004
• Development of 6 Specialist Schools proposals 2002 – 2004
• Remodelling of School Improvement Services to support transformational educational change; 4 LEAs 1998 – 2004

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Teaching and management experience in secondary schools 1973 – 1982
• Inspection and Advisory experience  - all phases 1988 – 2003
• School Improvement in National and International context 1982- 1991

   

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  Name:  Jean Mackie

  Professional qualifications:
  PGCE; BSc; Ofsted Registered Inspector

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant (London and the South East)

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Development of Education Services

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Head of school improvement in London Borough
• Head of Secondary  School Improvement London Borough
• Cocentra Regional Link Officer in three-year national DfES programme

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Supported proposals for new build and modifications of existing stock
• Lead role on secondary school improvement and associated capital works
• Work on the SfCC programme focuses on 400+ secondary schools in 135 LEAs across England

   

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  Name:  Steve Davies

  Professional qualifications:
  Certificate of Education; Bachelor of Education; Diploma in Education Management

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant (London and the South East)

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Development of Education Services
• National Education advice and support
• Developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision
• Educational elements of national approval processes.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Director
  Director Education Services WS Atkins  2000 -2002
• Deputy Director – Chief Adviser Havering LEA 1998-2000
• Principal Adviser West Sussex LEA 1994-1998
• Senior Adviser West Sussex LEA 1988-1994

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Supported major PFI proposals for new build and modifications of existing stock across 4 LEAs
• Responsible for 100+ schools in Southwark LEA including major capital programme which included working with DfES officers on Academies and new school builds
• Responsible for school improvement in Havering LEA including major consultation on PFI
• Lead role on secondary school improvement and associated capital works across 36 secondary schools in West Sussex.

   

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  Name: Terry Rollings

  Professional qualifications:
  Cert Ed; B ED; Ofsted Registered Inspector;
  NPQHT Assessor
  
  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, London and the South East

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly, SEN, Inclusion and equality
• Diversity, pupil places, parental choice, academies and federations
• School workforce remodelling
• Curriculum development
• Support on the development of proposals
• National Education advice and support
• Planning for and delivery of transformational educational change
• Developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision
• Educational elements of national approval processes

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Significant headship experience in urban and rural schools
• Lead Education Consultant on 4 major LEA PFI bids
• Held senior posts in 3 LEA school Improvement services in London and the South East

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Headship of 4 schools including successful project in bringing an urban school out of Special measures.
• Leadership roles in 3 LEA school Improvement (Including Head of School Improvement in inner London Borough) with cross phase responsibilities relating to Leadership and management and school improvement

   

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  Name:  Paul Benians

  Professional qualifications:
  BSc; QTS

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, London and the South East

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Support on the development of proposals.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Cocentra Regional Link Officer in three-year national DfES programme focussing on supporting LEA with secondary schools facing Challenging Circumstances (SfCC)
• Senior Education Adviser DfES Standards and Effectiveness Unit working with LEAs on strategic planning, particularly focussing on school improvement. Providing direct support to LEAs who were recognised as having significant weaknesses
• As a senior officer with the Association of London Government, identified and worked with Central Government on key priorities for education in the 33 London boroughs.

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Work on the SfCC programme focuses on 400+ secondary schools in 135 LEAs across England
• Director of Education in Croydon, the largest London Borough involving Planning educational provision, determining funding levels and patterns of expenditure, meeting statutory obligations, and promoting and disseminating best practice in schools and post 16 education.. Introduced two CTCs, namely the Harris CTC and the BRIT school.  Both have been extremely successful - 2004 BRIT school 89% GCSE 5 A*-C passes and Harris CTC 86% 5 A*-C GCSE passes.

   

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  Name:  Mike Lambert

  Professional qualifications:
  MBSC; CITP

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, London and the South East

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• ICT Strategic and Tactical Advice and Guidance
  Broadband deployment
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment through effective use of ICT technologies.
• Support on the development of proposals.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Head of Business Infrastructure for a London Borough (three years)
• ICT Support team management (strategic and tactical) (three years)
• Providing direct support to other LEAs who recognised they were having difficulties with broadband rollout
• Representing a London Borough on London Grid for Learning committees and working parties
• Complaint Management
• Facilities Management for central LEA services.

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• eGovernment  Initiative consultancy
• Every Child Matters working parties
• Assisting the ICT function of a Secondary school seeking Academy status
• Working across departmental boundaries, specifically advising Social
• Services on ICT options for cared-for children

   

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  Name: Frank Jones
   
  Professional qualifications:
  MA (Education and Policy Making); B.Ed
  Cert Ed; Certificate of Advanced Professional

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, South West and Midlands

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly Specialist provision
• Support on the development of proposals particularly SEN inclusion and equality
• Diversity, pupil places, parental choice, academies and federations
• Support on education matters relevant to local procurement.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Assistant Director of Education with responsibility for school Improvement, finance and human resources
• Senior School Improvement officer with 2 LEAs leading on EDP and Schools facing Challenging Circumstances.

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Head of School Improvement
• Cross Phase Adviser in two authorities (Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset)
• Two headships (14 years) in two authorities
• Teaching experience in the primary and secondary sectors
• Currently working with LEA’s to support Schools facing Challenging Circumstances (SIA Grant).

   

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  Name:  Geoff Conway

  Professional qualifications:
  MA(Educational Administration), BA(Hons) (Geography and Education), Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Post Graduate Certificate in Consultancy and Leadership Development

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, South West

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
  Consideration of BSF themes
• Development of Education Services particularly ICT
• Specialist provision
• 14 – 19
• Diversity, pupil places, parental choice, academies, federations
• Pupil behaviour and attendance
• School workforce remodelling.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Production of LEA ICT strategy for two London LEAs
  Membership of 14-19 strategy groups in two LEAs. Oversight of 14-19 conferences. Membership of QCA 14-19 working group
• Recruitment consultant for a City Academy headship, LEA link adviser to a school re-launching as a City Academy. LIG Consultant to two LIG collaboratives. Consultant to Specialist Schools Trust
• Oversight of B.I.P. programme for London LEA. Creation of LEA behaviour audit tool
• Oversight of workforce remodelling programme for London LEA.

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Consultant to a range of schools across the UK. Particular focus on school improvement, leadership, organisational culture, the use of ICT to support teaching, learning and administration, school self-review and evaluation and improvement planning
• Head of School Improvement (Inner London LEA. Supporting all types of schools in all sectors). Leadership of a team of 60 adviser and consultants.
• Principal Adviser (Secondary) (Inner London LEA. Supporting all types of secondary school, particularly those facing challenging circumstances)
• Headteacher (Secondary, mixed comprehensive, c1100 on roll, outer London LEA)
• Deputy Headteacher (Secondary, mixed comprehensive, c1100 on roll, inner London LEA)

   

   

  Name: John Nellist

  Professional qualifications:
  BSc.  PGCE

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Regional Director Midlands

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
  Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly Support on the development of proposals 14-19 developments:school collaboratives/federations;extended schools; school improvement policies
• Support on education matters relevant to local procurement
• National Education advice and support
• Planning for and delivery of transformational educational change
• Developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision
• Educational elements of national approval processes

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Director of Education Cumbria County Council February1994-September 2003
• Chief Inspector/Adviser Cumbria County Council September 1988- February 1994
• Preparation and implementation of post Ofsted Post 16 Area Wide Inspection Action Plan
• Management of consultation and general overview re LLSC proposal to establish a sixth form college
• Preparation and oversight of Learning Carlisle Action Plan (Federation of 7 11-18 schools, a general FE college. one HE institution and local Work Based Learning Providers)

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• Teacher 11-18 grammar school
• Head of Department large 11-18 comprehensive
  General Inspector/Adviser with responsibility for group of primary and secondary schools
• Staff Inspector Secondary with responsibility for all secondary phase schools in Cumbria.

   

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  Name: John Clawley

  Professional qualifications:
  Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Hons) 2:1 Physics (1976); Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (1977); OfSTED RgI (secondary) – 1998-2003

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Regional Director Midlands

  Local education advice and support:

• Assessment of the current situation
• Consideration of key policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment, particularly: 14-19 Agenda; specialist provision
• Consideration of key BSF Development of education services particularly: 14-19 Agenda; specialist provision; curriculum development
• To provide support on education matters relevant to local procurement National Education advice and support
• To provide policy and implementation support to the national BSF programme in relation to: planning for and delivery transformational educational change; developing, challenging and evaluation of statements of local educational vision.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• developed and wrote a LEA Transforming Secondary Education strategy; a joint LEA, LSC, Connexions and Lifelong Learning Partnership 13-19 strategy; a LEA Specialist School Strategy;
• researched, developed and wrote an AimHigher integration plan - focused on the integration of the existing AimHigher, Excellence Challenge and Partnership for Progression programmes across a LSC region;
• led the development and production of the specialist school planning
  component of a major PFI funded Learning Community (Full Service Extended
  School) Project;
• developed a competitive selection process for the identification of a full service extended school as part of the development of an Excellence Cluster.
• as LEA Assistant Director and senior adviser - development of LEA educational vision and strategic leadership of school improvement/effectiveness;
   
  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:
• LEA officer and adviser primary, secondary (11-16), secondary (11-18), specialist/beacon schools, Fresh Start schools, special schools, FE colleges, sixth form colleges, independent schools.

   

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  Name:  Pat Doherty

  Professional qualifications:
  MA (Education), Advanced Diploma in Education, Diploma in Computer Education, Certificate of Education, OFSTED Team Inspector

  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation
• Consideration of Key Policies as they relate to school improvement and raising levels of pupil attainment
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Development of Education Services particularly ICT
• Specialist provision
• 14 – 19
• Diversity, pupil places, parental choice, academies, federations
• Pupil behaviour and attendance
• School workforce remodelling.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• National manager of DfES School Improvement Adviser initiative
• Principal Inspector London LEA including the management of national strategies
  Curriculum Adviser London LEA and shire county
• Ministry of Education Bermuda Restructuring Consultant (Curriculum & Estate)
• ICT Adviser in a shire LEA
• Education consultancy nationally and internationally including Service schools and Guernsey State
• Writer and publisher of national and international materials
• International and national conference presenter
  
  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:
  
• Management of the DfES School Improvement Adviser (SIA) Programme which focuses on 400+ secondary schools in 135 LEAs across England
• SIA Link officers for LEAs in the South West and West Midlands
• Senior management of London LEA school improvement service
• LEA Curriculum advisor/inspector in two LEAs
• National Strategies Manager for Primary , KS3, ISP and Consultant Leaders
• Curriculum Restructuring Consultant - Dept of Education, Bermuda
• National and international education consultancy
• President of National Subject Association
• Senior Examiner
• OFSTED Inspector - secondary
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  Name:  Andy Best

  Professional qualifications:
  BSc; ACA; ACT
   
  Disciplines for which this person is proposed:
  Senior Consultant, Midlands
  Strategic vision facilitator
  Strategic programme management & organisation
  Multi-stakeholder negotiations facilitator

  Local Education Advice and Support:

• Assessment of the Current Situation, particularly provision of ICT
• Consideration of BSF themes
• Assessment of contribution of schemes to local economic and social regeneration
• Development of Education Services particularly ICT
• Support on education matters relevant to local procurement.

  Summary of experience in these disciplines:

• Executive Director Cocentra ltd 2002-2004 responsible for business development with schools and LEAs
• Structuring and negotiating complex global transactions, alliances and partnerships, including  $50 million global IT alliance between HSBC and Yahoo for on-line Internet services
• Project management of large-scale IT and commercial projects, including £30 million on-line and back office redevelopment for a business generating £40 million profit a year.

  Summary of experience in the schools sector across different types of schools:

• As executive director with responsibility for business development has key links with schools and LEAs. Leads on relationships with Innovative schools across the UK.