Has the planning of schools estates during the past decade unduly favoured new build over refurbishment?  If so, is this presumption about to change? Concerns over the state of potential public finances, the increasing need to reduce carbon emissions, questions over the suitability of PFI, the rise of parent promoted free schools and the drive to increase the number of independent academies are all pointing to a future that will ensure that the refurbishment of existing buildings could be seen as the redevelopment option of choice.

There is now a significant body of research which suggests that the physical environment of schools has a direct impact on students’ academic achievement and behaviour. It is therefore critical that the recent achievements of the Building Schools for the Future Programme are not completely abandoned in favour of a piecemeal and reactive approach. Schools continue to need significant capital investment and in many cases new build may be the only option available.

However, the refurbishment of existing schools may have a valuable place in contributing to the reduction of the UK financial deficit whilst significantly helping to raise educational standards and improve the life chances of young children.

Michael Olliff, Architectural Director, Scott Brownrigg

I believe that investment in school environments is an overlooked tool for the improvement of school standards. Alongside quality teaching and purposeful leadership, decent school environments inspire pupils to give their best and properly enable our teachers to teach. Decent air, light, acoustics and quality are as vital as water in helping you concentrate and learn.

The Big School Makeover, a national educational programme, enables schools to think about those neglected or wasted spaces for teaching and learning and change them within days. With our partners, Willmott Dixon, we transform spaces to be fit for learning and provide a showcase for British products and expertise.

We need to think more about the state of our schools and then act on sorting them out. This new pamphlet from BCSE members highlights work, large and small, that could help change the school experience for pupil and teacher alike.

Thank you to all, but particularly Michael Olliff, who it was a pleasure to edit. We are creating world class schools in this country and a little pride would not go amiss.

Ty Goddard, Director, British Council for School Environments (BCSE) and The Centre for School Design.

This guide was written by Michael Olliff of Scott Brownrigg with Paul Zuccherelli and John McEvoy of Davis Langdon. Edited by Ty Goddard and Charlotte Wensley.  With thanks to Ian Fordham and Jenny Thomas.