Frequently Asked Questions

• Building Schools for the Future (BSF)
• Private Finance Initiative (PFI)
• Children's Centres
• Maintenance/Repairs
• Asbestos
• Caretaking
• Empty Buildings
• Other

Building Schools for the Future (BSF)

• What is Building Schools for the Future (BSF)?

• What schools are included in the BSF programme in Sheffield and what is the timescale for the programme?

• Are special schools included in BSF?
  
  Yes - all the secondary special schools are included in the BSF programme.  For a full list of schools involved in the programme please access Building Schools for the Future (BSF).

• What schools are funded through Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding?

• What ICT investment will there be at each school?

• What is the Sheffield Local Education Partnership (L.E.P) and what is its function?
  
  The LEP is made up of Sheffield City Council, Taylor Woodrow and Partnerships for Schools (PfS) and has been set up to deliver the BSF programme in Sheffield.

• Does BSF do away with the usual requirement for consultation and statutory proposals?
  
  No.  All proposals at schools are subject to full planning consultation and statutory processes.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

• What is PFI?

• Which schools are involved in PFI in Sheffield?

• Which private sector companies are involved in PFI?

• Do the private companies have an input into the curriculum?
  
  No but the facilities provided enhance the curriculum opportunities available to students.

Children's Centres

• Where do I find information on Children's Centres?

Maintenance / Repairs

• How do I request a repair or report a fault? 

• We have an idea for a refurbishment project, can you come out and help us? 

• We have problems with our heating and electrics.  Who do we contact?

• We have got some cracks in our building, can you sort it out?

Asbestos

• We think we have damaged asbestos.  What should we do? 
  
  Follow the advice on the emergency procedure document or urgently contact the CYPD Health and Safety Team on 0114 293 0911.

• When will my Asbestos Management Survey be carried out? 
  
  A corporate programme is in place. Please call 0114 273 5782 for more information. 

• I need a localised asbestos survey, who can do it? 
  
  Only qualified and certified asbestos surveyors can carry out the work. Contact us on 0114 273 6919 for more information.

• I need a new Asbestos Register. Who will provide it?
  
  Asbestos registers can be downloaded from the Technology Forge/Assets Website (for access you will need your Leaf username and password.  If you are experiencing problems logging in please call 0114 273 4876).  Do not throw your old register away, it must be kept permanently.

• I have lost the Asbestos Management Report.  What should I do?
  
  The Asbestos Management Report for your school can be downloaded from the Technology Forge/Assets Website (you will need your Leaf username and password to log in) or contact us on 0114 273 6919.

• When will my Priority 1 removal job be taking place? 
  
  Priority 1 removal jobs are programmed as soon as the asbestos management report is on site. Contact us on 0114 273 6919 for more information.

Caretaking

• I need access to a school during the school holiday how can I contact the caretaker?
  
  Generally School Caretakers are based on site during school holidays as they are during term time (except for during the caretakers annual leave which is usually taken over the school holidays). Where possible, please contact the school prior to the school holidays to arrange access. In urgent circumstances please contact us on 0114 273 5621 and we will contact the caretaker for you.

• How can I find out about mobile caretaking for school premises?

• How can I find a permanent caretaking post in a school?
  
  All caretaker vacancies are advertised weekly on the Sheffield City Council Website under jobs.

Empty buildings

• Can I buy the building?
  
  Information on land for sale can be found on the corporate property website

• What is happening to the building?
  
  For information on what is happening to an empty school please contact us on 0114 273 5623.

• An empty school has been damaged, who should I inform?
  
  Please report any damages to empty schools to us by phoning 0114 273 5623 during office hours. In cases of emergency outside of office hours, Kier can be contacted on 0114 273 0101.

Other

• We have problems with neighbours of the school; can you offer any advice? 
  
  We can offer advice or help by mediating between schools and neighbours to resolve any issues that occur.

• An old sofa has been dumped close to a school, who do I report this to?
  
  Please report any incidences of flytipping on school land to us on 0114 273 5623.

• I can't access the Assets/Technology Forge website
  
  The Technology Forge/Assets Website can be accessed using your Leaf username and password.  If you are still experiencing problems, please contact us on 0114 273 4876.