School Design

What makes a great place to learn?

The government’s initiative to transform educational buildings has resulted in thousands of schools being rebuilt or improved. Over the last decade there have been 1000 brand new school buildings, 27,000 new or improved classrooms, and 4,500 schools providing extended services. There have also been more than 1260 new children’s centres created, for over 1 million children under the age of five.

A well-designed environment is one of the essential foundations for successful learning. It can make a difference in simple yet vitally important ways:  imaginatively designed dining halls can encourage healthy eating; wider corridors can help to cut down on bullying; and classrooms with natural lighting and fresh air can help pupils’ concentration and behaviour. Good design lies at the heart of the school building programme, and is a key part of the agenda to improve teaching and learning and to ensure that educational settings become the focus of their communities.

Open House integrates the needs and visions of teachers, pupils, architects and planners in line with current developments in modernising the nation’s schools. Our programmes on school design provide a knowledge bank of information and inspiration for educationalists in particular, many of whom will be about to embark upon the sometimes daunting process of procuring new school buildings. They also offers a valuable opportunity for the whole community to become better acquainted with design issues connected to schools.

Learning by Design

How does good design transform the learning process? Against the backdrop of transformation, how can we best identify the factors for success in the design of educational buildings? Now in its third year, Learning by Design, supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, aims to inspire a range of stakeholders – among them parents, teachers, governors, pupils and the wider community – to engage with design issues related to schools today.

The Learning by Design publications and resources explore a number of recently completed schools and early years facilities in the capital. They present the perspectives and evaluations of teachers, students, local authorities and others in the wider educational community. Distributed widely to headteachers, chairs of governors, education professionals and architects throughout the capital and beyond, they encourage the exchange of knowledge and lessons learned.

You can order copies of our Learning by Design publications via our resources page.

Bespoke programmes

Local authorities, schools and government departments have commissioned Open House to create and develop bespoke programmes and projects relating to school design and community consultation.  All projects are tailored to specific needs, drawing on the experience and expertise gained through our established and respected learning programmes, resources and knowledge. Our current initiatives include building explorations of Westminster Academy - one of the most striking new buildings recently completed in London, and designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

For more information about these programmes please email learningbydesign@openhouse.org.uk.

 

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