BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
Designing the next generation of learning environments
The introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, proposed by the Labour government, could have wide ranging positive impacts on the health and wellbeing of children throughout the UK. Designed to put children’s health and wellbeing at the heart of education and other sectors crucial to their development, this bill includes ensuring free breakfast provision in every school and giving Ofsted more powers to investigate unregistered institutions.
H
annah Gains, National Education Manager at Net Zero Buildings, discusses the potential impact of the recently proposed Children’s Wellbeing Bill, and why school building design has a crucial part to play when it comes to improving wellbeing.
The bill is a positive step forward to place children at the centre of the systems that affect them most. However, with the recent RAAC crisis and other condition issues still affecting schools and many children undertaking learning in cramped environments, it’s important that school buildings are included in this plan as part of a holistic approach to improve children’s wellbeing and level-up the quality and inclusivity of learning environments across the UK. With the Department for Education (DfE) reporting that the education estate faces a maintenance backlog of £11.4 billion, it is vital that action is taken sooner rather than later.
The design of the environments where we live and work have a large impact on our mental and physical health. This is becoming more understood throughout the world of
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work; however, it is important to remember that this applies to school buildings too. Poor air quality, cramped spaces and bad lighting can all negatively impact a child’s health and wellbeing, causing a variety of issues from increased risk of eye or muscle strain to higher levels of fatigue, leading to low moods.
Buildings that are unfit for purpose typically neglect details such as air quality management which can exacerbate more serious conditions such as asthma. These unsuitable environments can additionally become a cause of anxiety for pupils, leading to lower attendance rates and pupils missing out on crucial learning. This is a particular issue for SEND students, with the DfE reporting that state-funded special schools have the highest rate of absence by school type at 37.6 per cent.
Another crucial issue that affects the pupils of today more than any other generation is that of climate anxiety. Students are more aware of the state of our planet’s health than ever before, and whilst every student is different, addressing climate change within the buildings they occupy daily could go some way to relieving some of this internal pressure.
Enhancing the school environment could significantly benefit pupils and staff, as well as
October 2024
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