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NEWS • VIEWS • INFORMATION • ADVICE





New building regulations could see cut-price schools



Teachers and pupils could be forced to work and learn in schools that are cold, cramped and out of date if plans to drastically cut back school building regulations are given the go-ahead.



Schools could be left without staffrooms, unisex toilets or kitchens, the NASUWT fears, and legal safeguards on heating, lighting and acoustics could also be scrapped in a major shake-up of the School Premises Regulations.



The changes being proposed by the Department for Education (DfE) will give the Secretary of State for Education much greater powers to transfer land to academy providers and pave the way for free schools to be set up in disused office blocks.



The Secretary of State has already signalled his intention to introduce standardised designs for school buildings, and the paring back of building regulations moves this plan a step forward. The NASUWT is concerned that this could lead to the creation of school buildings that are not fit for purpose and that will not adequately take into account the needs of individual school communities.



The NASUWT has been at the forefront of protests over the scrapping of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and has repeatedly warned of the risks to pupils and school staff of failure to provide an appropriate working environment.



Evidence suggests that pupils’ examination results are likely to be on average 11% higher in modern, well-designed schools and that good school design also promotes good pupil behaviour.



What is being proposed?



Free schools



Free schools would be allowed to be set up in disused or abandoned buildings.



This leaves serious question marks over issues such as disability access, asbestos, and the potential lack of food preparation facilities or outside space for sports. There is a real risk that s chools could be opened in premises that are entirely unsuitable.



Playing fields



Safeguards that prevent the selling off of playing fields will be removed. Proceeds from any sales will no longer have to be reinvested into improving sports or educational facilities for schools in the local area.



The Union considers it unacceptable that space that should be provided for pupils to participate in sporting activities could be sold off to private companies.



School meals



The requirement for schools to have adequate facilities for the preparation and serving of meals and drinks would be scrapped.



Heating and ventilation



Regulations on heating and ventilation in schools would be axed.



NASUWT research has shown classroom temperatures to be a major health and safety issue in many schools. The Union believes that the DfE should introduce legal maximum and minimum temperatures for classrooms to tackle this issue.



Staffrooms



Schools would no longer be required to have a staffroom under the plans.



Teaching is widely recognised as one of the most challenging occupations. Removing the requirement for schools to have a staffroom is a deeply regressive step that is likely to lead to increased stress levels and in turn to increased staff absences. It undermines the professionalism of staff.



Acoustics



Regulations on classroom acoustics would be watered down.



Many teachers already report problems with voice strain and the NASUWT believes this problem would only increase if regulations were reduced. Pupils’ ability to learn could also be seriously af fected.



Toilets



School staff could be forced to share washrooms with pupils, and unisex toilets could be introduced.



These plans could result in overcrowding and the inadequate provision of washroom facilities for staff and pupils. They also give no consideration of cultural sensitivities and will reduce privacy for both students and staff.



Lighting



Minimum lighting standards in schools would be removed.



Poor lighting can affect children’s ability to learn.



The NASUWT has submitted evidence to the DfE setting out its opposition to the plans.



Visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/SchoolBuildings