Education
The Bridge is the monthly newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark.
Printed copies are available from all Southwark parish churches or from Communications & Resources at the Diocesan Office.
School Buildings
The Board assists church school governing bodies in maintaining, managing and improving their school buildings. Our Finance and Development team administer the payments and recovery of grant aid for all building projects carried out at schools. We also administer schools' Devolved Formulae Capital (DFC) on behalf of the school governors.
As part of its responsibility under the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 1991, we also provide a professional consultancy service to Church of England Voluntary Aided schools in relation to the design, specification and contract administration of building projects. We also administer an External Maintenance Scheme based on a pattern of voluntary parental giving, providing an insurance policy for governors from which their 10% contribution is sought when expenditure is made.
Place Planning Framework
This framework is a useful tool to assist Heads and Chairs in view of place planning matters. The material enables the school to evaluate the provision of additional school places, whether in advance of, or in response to requests from the Local Authority. A blank template and a completed example, (as well as an introductory letter) can be accessed in the Members’ Area.
SDBE Premises Handbook for Voluntary Aided Schools
The document provides information to school governing bodies and headteachers in relation to building works procedures and responsibilities at VA schools in the Diocese of Southwark.
Please note this information is subject to amendment at short notice resulting from changes in funding procedures and legislation and the relevant document sections will be updated and revised on a regular basis.
A downloadable version of the handbook is available in the Members' Area
Example School Development Plan (Premises)
This is a downloadable template to assist schools in preparing the premises element of their School Inprovement Plan.
A downloadable version of the plan is available in the Members' Area
Insurance for Church of England VA Schools
The Board advises its schools on Premises Insurance, Employers Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, Legal Fees Insurance and Curriculum Equipment Insurance for Church of England Voluntary Aided Schools.
Schools Fire Risk Assessment Guidance
DCSF guidance and risk assessment information regarding fire hazards and risks at schools. Also see Section 2.5 of Premises Advice Manual.