Dear Reader, W
elcome to the Summer issue of School Building
Magazine.
The UK education sector continues to evolve at pace, with schools facing growing pressure to modernise ageing estates, improve sustainability, expand SEND provision and deliver learning environments capable of supporting the next generation of pupils. In this issue, we explore how those challenges are reshaping educational construction across the country.
Inside, we look at the growing importance of operational continuity during live school projects, the rise of modular and offsite construction, and why seemingly overlooked areas such as school kitchens and circulation spaces are becoming major design priorities. We also examine how wellbeing, flexibility and long-term resilience are influencing everything from classroom layouts to campus- wide infrastructure.
Alongside these features, you will find the latest sector news, project updates, product innovations and expert insight from across the educational building industry.
As always, our aim is to highlight the trends, technologies and ideas helping shape the future of Britain’s schools.
I hope you enjoy the issue. Joe Bradbury, Editor
Summer 2026 issue 4184 School building
08 Surrey’s Blended Estates Strategy for SEND Explained At the Education Estates conference, Euan Leslie, Programme Manager for Surrey County Council, along with Christopher Leese, Technical Director at TG Escapes Modular, presented ‘Modern Methods, Inclusive Futures’, a detailed look into a highly successful programme for expanding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision.
16 Built to last: Merinolam, the school washroom spec that’s cleaning up
Few spaces in a school get tested harder than the washroom; it’s a tough crowd. James Latham’s Meri-nolam collection has been built for that reality, with a design range that’s stylish enough fit to lift a whole scheme as well as being sturdy enough to last the distance.
18 Britain’s education estate is being rebuilt around continuity
There was a time when a school construction project meant fences, mud, temporary cabins and a lot of apologising to teachers. Entire playgrounds disappeared behind hoardings for two years while pupils learned next to drills and reversing alarms. In 2026, that approach is starting to look outdated.
20 Education Estates® Education Estates®
returns as the sector prepares for a decade of estate renewal returns to Manchester Central on 20-21 October
2026, once again bringing together the people responsible for shaping, delivering and managing education environments across the UK.
26 Designing educational spaces with movement in mind Schools are becoming obsessed with movement. Not movement in the curriculum sense, but physical movement — how pupils enter buildings, travel through corridors, queue for lunch, transition between lessons and disperse safely at the end of the day.
Sales, Press & Online Services - Sophie Clarke
sclarke@datateam.co.uk Enquiries 01622 699 168 Design - Ellie Rich
ellie@ellierichdesign.com Administration
ACox@datateam.co.uk Circulation
datateam@c-cms.com Publisher’s Statement.
School Building is published 4 times a year. Printed in England. All rights reserved. No part of School Building may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, the editor and publishers do not accept responsibility for errors or loss and damage caused by any statements, claims or observations made by contributors, authors and their agents.
Published by DataTeam Business Publishing Company Registration no. 1771113 ISSN 2631-892X
Summer 2026 issue 4184 3
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