BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
Offsite construction offers an efficient, streamlined solution, with factory-based module manufacturing taking place concurrently alongside onsite groundworks, and a shorter installation process enabling buildings to be constructed during term breaks if needed.
At Thurston Group, we’ve worked with education providers such as Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School in London. This involved delivering a two-story modular building with three ICT suites, a fully fitted science laboratory, and seven classrooms, which were integrated seamlessly into the rest of the campus.
methods of construction in order to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance quality.
Helping schools hit sustainability goals Whilst high quality and durability is always at the top of the priorities list for schools and councils, a desire to meet net-zero and waste reduction targets often comes up too. For those striving to meet sustainability goals, offsite construction can be highly effective, with the controlled factory environment and precision planning involved in the specification and installation process helping to dramatically reduce waste. Prefabricated components are manufactured precisely, transported efficiently, and installed quickly, minimising disruption to students and staff. Off-cuts and surplus materials are often recycled or repurposed, reducing the environmental impact while promoting a circular economy in construction. As well as this, the Supply Chain School’s 2023 report on offsite construction found that offsite projects can achieve a 30 to 40 per cent reduction in emissions during the construction phase, including factory energy use, and a 60 per cent decrease in transport emissions for materials and personnel. Most modular buildings are also suited for smart and energy efficient technologies, including LED lighting systems, heat recovery ventilation units and air source heat pumps. Buildings can be expanded, repurposed, or reconfigured to meet changing needs, while adhering to high-performance standards like BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and net- zero requirements.
These features support schools in reaching sustainability targets while reducing energy costs, delivering both environmental and financial benefits.
Smarter building design can transform schools
In England, the majority of school buildings date back to before 1976 – so it’s no surprise that many now need refurbishing or replacing. For the school buildings that aren’t in urgent disrepair, however, many students are facing dreary classrooms and cramped corridors, an uninspiring place for the next generation to
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www.education-today.co.uk September 2025
learn the skills they need for their future. Educational needs are constantly evolving, driven by factors like national and local policies or changing demographics. Offsite construction offers the flexibility to adapt to these shifts, ensuring that buildings remain suitable throughout their lifecycle. A major benefit of modular buildings is that they can be tailored to specific requirements, such as Pupil Referral Units or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facilities, accommodating bespoke features like wider corridors, integrated ramps, and soundproofed classrooms to suit specific requirements.
They can also incorporate advanced facilities like ICT suites and science laboratories, helping to equip students with modern skills; along with sports facilities and larger hall areas to accommodate the wider curriculum and provide areas for after-school provisions. The flexibility of offsite buildings not only supports evolving educational demands from early years through to higher education, but also aligns with long-term environmental and operational goals, delivering versatile education environments, and a brighter future for our children.
How schools can benefit from choosing modular
When it comes to expanding existing facilities or planning new classrooms, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and students throughout the construction process is essential.
Our time on-site was just 13 weeks, with the school remaining operational throughout. Manufacturing the building components offsite meant we minimised dust, noise, and disruption, ensuring a smoother experience for both staff and students.
To meet the school’s sustainability targets, each classroom was equipped with heat recovery ventilation units, which extract warm air and use it to pre-heat incoming fresh air, preventing energy wastage. The new teaching block also houses photovoltaic cells on its roof to generate electricity, and features energy efficient LED systems.
Another recent project saw us help Foxford School and Community Arts Centre in Coventry to meet a high demand for school places through the delivery of four additional classroom spaces within a single-storey modular building. These spaces accommodate an additional 120 students, and access to the building is Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant, ensuring the school is able to provide for all pupils and teachers. Offsite construction has a role beyond helping schools to meet space requirements. As the manufacturing and construction sectors look to inspire the next generation into the workforce, those operating within offsite construction have the opportunity to teach students about the industry, helping to spark the interest of young people looking for a long-term, hands-on career.
Looking ahead, offsite construction will continue to have a hugely influential role in helping schools meet growing demand, deliver safe and inclusive learning environments, and achieve their sustainability goals.
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