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 From overcrowded classrooms to outdated infrastructure, the pressure on education estates is intensifying and so is the need to build smarter.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...

For schools and colleges who are planning building works, every day matters. Term dates, exam schedules and the impact of student disruption, all mean that time is one of the biggest deciding factors in the successful outcome of education construction works. Time isn’t just money; it’s learning lost if projects stall. More education providers than...

Traditional construction projects can feel lengthy at best and infuriatingly slow at worst, with unpredictable delays and countless moving parts to be co-ordinated. Once the backdrop of a busy, working school is added into the mix, much needed school building work can quickly become completely overwhelming. This leaves schools struggling with space and facilities that...

There are currently 32,149 schools in the UK of all types, provision, age and size. School buildings represent close to half of the building stock used by UK public services. Ultra-modern academies, crumbling 1970s concrete classrooms and many hundred year old historical school houses all have one thing in common; maintenance, repairs, modernisation – building works of...