Understanding SEND in Today’s Schools In England alone, over 1.7 million pupils are currently identified as having special educational needs (SEN), whether through formal Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans or via SEN support systems. That represents around 18% of the school population, a proportion that has grown steadily over the past decade. The...
Can a smarter space transform a school? School building and design: an introduction Thoughtful school design isn’t just about aesthetics or squeezing in the required square footage. It’s about flow, function and creating spaces that work with human behaviour, not against it, to best support students and staff. Research suggests that, “In the...
The Lunchtime Listen report, published in May 2025 by School Surveys, set out to explore how pupils across England experience their school lunch break. Over 11,000 primary and secondary pupils from 43 schools took part, making it one of the most extensive pupil voice projects of its kind in recent years. Lunchtimes are incredibly complex;...
The call to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is one that affects all industries. For the education sector, fostering academic, social and cultural development for our future generations, it could be considered even more significant. Independent schools are increasingly recognising that sustainability is a matter of conscience and a potential strategic advantage. Does...
A question of quality School buildings are expected to last for decades, support the wellbeing and achievement of pupils and meet the complex requirements of modern education. However, quality in delivery is frequently compromised by timeline issues, fragmented processes and cost pressures that are typically associated with traditional construction models. A recent report by the...
Allergy UK report that around 5-8% of children in the UK live with a food allergy and most school classrooms will have at least one allergic pupil. These young people are at risk of both mild and serve allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening. There are invisible risks for these pupils too;...
In England alone, school estates represent around 38 percent of public sector building emissions, making them a significant contributor to the government’s overall net zero ambitions. Over 16 percent of primary schools and 24 percent of secondary schools are already operating over capacity with new buildings and expansions needed across the country to meet demand....
In the competitive world of independent education, sixth form provision can either be a real attraction or a significant vulnerability. For prospective pupils and parents, the sixth form experience is about independence, aspiration and a sense of identity, as well as academic outcomes. The physical environment plays a critical role in delivering that. At independent...
In 2023, capital spending on education in the UK reached nearly £6 billion, with a significant portion directed at upgrading school buildings and creating new space for growing pupil numbers. From overcrowded classrooms to outdated infrastructure, the pressure on education estates is intensifying and so is the need to build smarter. For school leaders, the...
In their report on the condition of school buildings, The National Audit Office notes that following years of underinvestment, the school estate’s overall condition is declining across the UK and around 700,000 pupils are learning in a school that is believed to require major rebuilding or refurbishment. Schools desperately need more space and better facilities...
