Urbis Think Tank
Infrastructure rollout for QLD State Schools delivered value for money
Urbis was commissioned by the Queensland Government to evaluate the State Schools of Tomorrow (SSOT) Program. The $1 billion program is the largest infrastructure roll-out across state schools in Queensland to date, and the program tested a new approach to ‘whole-of-school’ infrastructure and renewal.
The SSOT Program was guided by distinct principles which differed from traditional capital works delivery approaches, including:
- collaborative planning and design in consultation with schools and communities
- enhancing the physical infrastructure of schools to support 21st Century pedagogies
- Improving educational opportunities.
A defining feature of the Program was the desire to achieve built form outcomes to enhance qualitative, educational and cultural change. Built form outcomes included new school campuses, facilities, improved physical environments, and enhanced technology and resources. Educational and cultural outcomes included improved behaviours, learning outcomes and positive school culture.
The evaluation adopted a mixed methods approach including: a detailed review of program and administrative data; a literature review of international and national approaches to the design and delivery of education infrastructure; online surveys of principals, staff, parents and community groups; site visits and case study analysis; and detailed financial modelling and costs analysis.
The evaluation found the SSOT Program delivered positive outcomes for capital works delivery, alignment with need, enhanced built environment and education outcomes and behaviours. Our final evaluation report is to be publicly released by the Queensland Department of Education and Training shortly.