Achieving better results

The BSF programme seeks to transform the opportunities for young people and communities by creating 21st century learning environments. At the heart of this is a focus on student attainment.

In the words of Councillor Derek Pickup, former Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services at Bristol City Council: “Pupils will be taught in an environment that is second to none. But this project is not just about a new school building.

“At the heart of everything we do is our goal to continue to drive up standards. By creating this facility we are giving our children the important message that we are investing in their education and their future.”

According to Bristol Brunel Academy Principal, Armando Di-Finizio, the new school has had a very positive effect: “Everyone’s measuring how we’re doing. Attendance has gone up to over 90% against last year. Punctuality is better, with only 10-15 students a day out of 900 arriving late, which is absolutely manageable.

“After the new school opened, our results improved by about 15% on the previous year. But the school’s not just about that. It’s about developing the individual as a whole and creating characteristics that will help that student to go out and flourish in society. I think the self-belief that they’ve got from the building and everything we’ve put into place with it will enable them to do that.”

For Bristol City Council’s BSF Director, Gordon Clements, the work of the Local Education Partnership is successfully providing a completely new context for teaching and learning in the city: “When I was a headteacher, I spent far too much time worrying about school buildings. By effectively delivering the Building Schools for the Future programme we will give my predecessor and his team a real opportunity to focus on educational achievement and attainment.”