Modular and Offsite Construction Set to Accelerate School Delivery in 2026


Offsite and modular methods are poised to play a critical role in meeting 2026 school building demands, particularly for RAAC replacements and rapid expansions. Industry sources emphasise their benefits: faster construction times—often 50-70% quicker than traditional methods—reduced disruption to pupils and staff, significant cost efficiencies through factory-controlled processes, and strong alignment with net-zero targets via lower waste, energy-efficient designs, and sustainable materials.


With commitments to rebuild hundreds of schools under the expanded School Rebuilding Programme and remove RAAC swiftly by 2029, traditional onsite approaches face bottlenecks from skills shortages, inflation pressures, and weather delays. Modular providers offer scalable, high-quality solutions that enable rapid deployment of modern classrooms, SEND spaces, and resilient facilities.


The Education Estates Strategy’s emphasis on sustainability, climate resilience, and proactive renewal further favours these techniques, promoting standardised yet adaptable designs. Contractors, multi-academy trusts, and local authorities are increasingly adopting offsite methods to deliver energy-efficient, future-proofed learning environments. As funding ramps up through £38 billion in capital investment, 2026 could mark a surge in modular adoption across England, transforming how the education estate is renewed at pace.


The advantages of modular construction support the speed and sustainability needs of the expanded School Rebuilding Programme. Factory-controlled processes deliver cost efficiencies and lower waste while meeting net-zero targets. For schools facing tight sites or term-time constraints, offsite methods reduce disruption.


Many trusts are specifying modular solutions in nominations to support the government’s net-zero ambitions and the delivery of modern classrooms and SEND spaces. As the industry gains experience, these techniques become increasingly attractive for both large-scale rebuilds and smaller targeted upgrades under the £38 billion estates investment. The coming year therefore looks set to see wider adoption of modular and offsite methods to deliver the government’s targets for RAAC removal by 2029 and overall estate renewal.


Focus on Net Zero: Schools to Embed Sustainability in 2026 Builds


UK schools face growing pressure to decarbonise in 2026, driven by Department for Education (DfE) policy, the Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, updated School Estate Management Standards, and emerging green funding streams. All education settings were required to appoint a sustainability lead and implement a Climate Action Plan by September 2025, with full impact felt this year through monitoring, reporting progress, and embedding decarbonisation, adaptation, biodiversity, and green skills.


The Education Estates Strategy, published in February 2026, allocates significant resources for energy-efficient upgrades, including the new Renewal and Retrofit Programme launching in April 2026 with £710 million to 2029/30 to improve condition, boost climate resilience, and make buildings net zero ready via low-carbon materials, renewables, and boiler replacements. Amid an estimated £16.3 billion investment gap to fully decarbonise the UK’s school estate, further initiatives are anticipated.


Modular construction and renewables—such as solar PV, air-source heat pumps, and LED systems—are highlighted as practical, low-disruption solutions to cut emissions while aligning with rebuild timelines under the School Rebuilding Programme. This shift firmly positions sustainability as a core priority for new builds, refurbishments, and the broader education estate.


The move toward net-zero schools is driven by the Education Estates Strategy and supporting policies. The Renewal and Retrofit Programme provides dedicated resources for energy-efficient upgrades and climate resilience. Modular construction and renewables offer practical solutions that align with rebuild timelines under the School Rebuilding Programme.


The emphasis on decarbonisation, adaptation, biodiversity and green skills embeds sustainability at every stage of estate renewal. Although the £16.3 billion gap remains substantial, the combination of funding streams and policy support enables measurable progress toward decarbonisation within the ten-year strategy.


School Rebuilding Programme on Track with Additional Funding Boost


The School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) continues to advance steadily, with the Department for Education confirming 519 projects now in the programme as of February 2026.


Government funding increases, including an additional £1.4 billion commitment, are ensuring momentum, with plans to start around 100 projects in the coming year to keep delivery on track. Total investment in the SRP reaches almost £20 billion through to 2034-35, enabling the rebuild or major refurbishment of over 750 schools and sixth-form colleges, prioritising the worst- condition buildings and incorporating RAAC-affected sites.


Recent allocations also include £2.1 billion for broader capital maintenance and improvements, up £300 million from the previous year, supporting urgent completions and extensions beyond original targets. Capital funding for schools is rising progressively, from £6.8 billion in 2025/26 towards higher levels by 2029/30 under the £38 billion estates package. Multi-academy trusts and responsible bodies are encouraged to nominate strategically via the open process (closing 23 April 2026) and plan for modern, sustainable facilities.


This sustained push delivers safer, more inclusive, and future-proofed learning environments across England. With 519 projects already confirmed and a further 100 starts targeted for the coming year, the SRP maintains steady progress through the additional £1.4 billion commitment and the uplift in maintenance funding.


The total investment of almost £20 billion through to 2034-35 enables the rebuild or major refurbishment of over 750 schools and sixth-form colleges.


6 Spring 2026 issue 4183


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