This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fresh guidance on school design
20/08/2003
New guidance on school design was launched today with a
plea for imaginative and creative design to be an integral
part of school building projects.
Education Minister Peter Peackock said buildings that
look and feel good could help inspire both pupils and
teachers for generations to come.
The guidance advocates schools that are:
- Civic buildings with public presence
- Made from sustainable and environmentally friendly
materials
- Fully accessible
- Naturally lit and ventilated
- Surrounded by attractive outdoor spaces
- Designed for community and out of hours use
- Flexible enough to expand or contract if pupil
numbers change
Mr Peacock unveiled the guidance
School Design during a visit to
Auchterarder Community School - one of 28 schools from
across Europe highlighted in the document as an example of
good design.
He said:
"Our schools play a vital part in unlocking the
potential of our children and by providing the right
teaching and learning environment we can help raise
achievement and attainment.
"That is why we have embarked on the biggest ever school
buildings programme. Another 300 schools will be built or
substantially refurbished by 2009, addressing the legacy of
under investment, ensuring pupils learn in modern,
well-equipped classrooms and meeting the needs of
communities.
"This is a unique opportunity to ensure imaginative and
creative design is factored into school construction
projects - not as an afterthought but as an integral part
of building contracts - and to build sustainable schools
which are able to meet both current and future needs.
"This opportunity must not be squandered. Pupils,
teachers, councils, architects, the construction and
finance industries, and the Executive must all work
together. Through partnership we can create new schools
which pupils want to learn in, teachers want to work in and
communities feel proud of."
Auchterarder Community School is being rebuilt in
four phases. Phase two (the primary school) has curved
aluminium roofs overhanging a sequence of courtyards which
are shaped by the buildings and provide secure external
play spaces. Sustainable features include a wetland area
that provides a habitat for local flora and fauna and dry
stone walls made from reclaimed stone.
School Design is one of four documents
published today to assist local authorities with their
plans to rebuild and refurbish their school buildings.
The others are:
- Core Facts- quantitative measures of the benefits of
long term investment
- School Estate Management Plans - a
process of assessing current stock, considering
options, developing a long term plan, implementing and
reviewing it, all in the context of needs and
resourcing over the long term
- The 21
st Century School -
cross-cutting Executive policies relevant to the school
estate.