How modern buildings are shaping the next generation of school nurseries

Due to the expansion in funded childcare eligibility in the UK, an increasing number of nursery age children are now accessing government-funded early education hours every week. To accommodate this rise in demand for nursery spaces, the UK government has launched the School-based Nursery (SBN) programme, aiming to open new or expanded nurseries on school … Read more

A Q&A with Hannah Gains, our National Education manager, on the next ‘big thing’ in school estates – salutogenic design…

Q: What is salutogenic design? Hannah: “Salutogenic design reframes construction through the lens of health and wellbeing. It’s built on three key principles – comprehensibility, which looks at how the entire infrastructure is arranged and comes together, manageability, which focuses on maximising agency through adjustable features, and meaningfulness, which considers how design can promote a … Read more

How tailored learning environments support SEND students

According to recent Government figures, 80% of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are currently attending mainstream, state-funded schools, with four in five school leaders saying they are struggling to meet learners’ needs due to the lack of specialist provision. Supporting SEND students is becoming an increasingly focal topic of discussion amongst both Government … Read more

Preparing school estates for winter pressures

Shorter days are a seasonal cue for school estates managers to start winter-proofing their sites before the weather turns colder and icier. Making sure buildings are weatherproofed will be a key priority over the coming months. While some schools prioritise annual maintenance tasks, modular construction can proactively prepare schools for winter pressures and minimise the … Read more

Net Zero Buildings becomes SETL’s modular partner of choice

Net Zero Buildings has taken another pivotal step forward in helping to create more sustainable education estates, spearheading positive change that unlocks widespread benefits for UK-wide staff and students. As an industry-leading offsite manufacturer, NZB has been selected as the chosen modular partner for School Estates Thought Leaders (SETL), a collaborative hub providing guidance and … Read more

How modular construction is spearheading sustainability in schools

For many sectors, achieving net zero is an important goal, and the education sector is no exception. Investing in new classrooms, dining rooms and other spaces is widely being recognised by schools as a valuable opportunity to improve their carbon footprint. What was simply the objective of creating additional space has now extended far beyond … Read more

Growth designed with sustainability in mind

Secondary schools are preparing for an influx of pupil numbers, expected to peak in 2027,  putting additional pressure on traditional school estates that have stood the test of time – until now. Larger class numbers will not just put a strain on staff resources, but lead to overcrowded classrooms, packed dining halls, cramped communal areas, … Read more

A new era of schools estate management is here – and this is what it involves

Guidelines aimed at helping school leaders and estate management teams manage their sites well have recently been unveiled, providing greater clarity on what ‘good’ looks like. Officially launched by the Government earlier this year, the School Estate Management Standards are seen as being a practical blueprint for schools to prioritise and futureproof their buildings. Schools … Read more

Planning for a new school year – why it’s not too late to think modular

June is here, which means we’re already halfway through the year and the summer holidays are literally just around the corner. If you’re planning on implementing some improvements during the six-week break, it’s not too late to invest in some temporary MMC-engineered support to bridge the classroom gap. Reorganising entire classroom layouts, accommodating growing student … Read more