MADE has welcomed the Department for Education (DfE) announcement of a new school rebuilding programme – targeted at schools in the worst condition across England, including the news of increased funding to help local authorities provide extra school spaces.

Local authorities, academy trusts and sixth form colleges, will be able to register from the 25th of July 2011, and apply for the funding between 3rd-14th October 2011.

David Tittle, MADE’s Interim Chief Executive said:‘It is fantastic that the DfE have announced funding to improve school estates. The West Midlands has a wide range of schools that desperately require investment. Decent school environments matter for students, staff and the wider community, and the new schools funding will contribute to those schools most in need, to create better places to live, work and play.’

MADE is able to support schools through the commissioning process, via our expert panel and team. Our expertise covers schemes such as Building Schools for the Future, The Primary Capital Programme and the Academies Programme, and brings together Architects, Urban Designers, Artists, and Educationalists to help support the development of new school buildings.

Our Expert Panel has the diversity of skills and local knowledge to support schools through the complex process that any rebuild or refurbishment may entail. From enabling work with Walsall Academies, to support the development of a brief, to Design Review in local authorites such as Wolverhampton, Walsall and Solihull, and working with artists and architects as part of Birmingham BSF.

As budgets become smaller new buildings have to work harder and good design maximises the potential of all new projects. For more information about how MADE can help with the commissioning process, please contact anthony@made.org.uk

The press release from the DfE can be found here. Full information about the process and eligibility of schools and sixth-form colleges is available from the Partnerships for Schools website.