Estates and Health and Safety
ODBST benefits from the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education’s (ODBE) expertise in school premises management. The ODBE Premises Team provides support and advice to ODBST schools on a range of development, improvement and capital refurbishment matters.
The team includes in-house building surveying and project management expertise, working alongside consultants and other experts. On joining the Trust, a premises condition survey is produced and assistance is provided to the school in the development of a 5 year maintenance strategy document.
The premises team can liaise with the Department for Education (via the Education Funding Agency) to secure grants and funding, providing administrative and financial support. They also support schools on issues around site development – for example liaison with local authorities regarding expansions in response to changes in local demographics (e.g. new housing development).