There’s just a matter of weeks before the many schools and colleges that applied for a slice of Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) discover if their efforts have paid off.
Submitting a successful bid is undoubtedly the ultimate goal. And if all does go according to plan, it can mean a whole new wave of work to factor in and complete within the required timescales.
This means there’s no time like the present for estate managers to plan ahead and make sure the end result works from a learning and environmental perspective.
3 key questions estate managers should ask themselves now
Q. ‘How can I make sure our classrooms are pupil and planet-friendly?’
Do your CIF plans involve providing additional classrooms? Sustainable learning environments are fast becoming the norm, driven by the Government’s net zero targets, as well as a schools’ own desire to become more energy, as well as cost efficient.
LED lighting, wide windows, HVAC systems, solar panels and CO2 monitors are just some of the measures being implemented to create greener learning spaces, reduce operational costs and boost overall academic engagement.
Learn more: ‘Top building trends that are shaping UK education.’
Q. ‘How is our vision going to be turned into reality?’
Designing classrooms that are geared towards providing students with healthy and inspiring places to learn is only half of the equation. How they are built and the spec and materials that are used have an equally big part to play in delivering the overall sustainability vision.
Many of today’s environmentally-conscious learning environments are constructed using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), which has repeatedly proven to provide future-proofed, fit for purpose spaces with minimal hassle. Not only is MMC efficient (typically 50% more efficient than traditional construction), it’s highly flexible and sustainable.
Learn more: ‘3 reasons why MMC is the right solution for the future.’
Q. ‘How can I guarantee fit for purpose, long-lasting results?’
We live in an increasingly environmentally-conscious world, which is being embraced by all sectors, education included. School environments are evolving in response to the latest learning, wellbeing, statutory, safeguarding and wider requirements.
Achieving this vision is not without its challenges, but it’s not without its opportunities to build upon existing sustainability successes and accelerate decarbonisation either. Partnering with a specialist with extensive experience of creating optimum learning environments that are underpinned by the five core fundamentals is central to this.
Here at Net Zero Buildings, ESG is more than just buzzwords, it sits at the heart of our business and is something we deliver on every single day.
Learn more: ‘The 5 fundamentals of creating optimum learning environments.’
For more on our approach to helping schools expand their existing site or developing a pioneering scheme from scratch, click here. To discuss your net zero requirements with us, get in touch here.
