Partnering today, Treasury funds tomorrow (maybe)


EVERY issue of education design & build aims to highlight the best and most interesting developments in the sector, and our March/April edition is no exception.


The work that the multi-disciplinary practice Pick Everard has been doing with Hounslow Council - which we feature on pages 10-11 - should be a template for every local authority looking to make its schools budget go as far as it possibly can – ie, every council in the land, and come to that every free school and academy too.


Inner-city island of learning and joy


This new school and nursery harnesses lively contemporary architecture to provide stimulating and flexible spaces for pupils and staff, and a sense of joy.


Image: Anthony Coleman Story page 18-19


Collaboration, or partnership, is the name of the game in Hounslow, and school leaders displayed admirable foresight when they decided to work on a long-term project with Pick Everard as far back as 2012 to deliver multiple new primary, secondary and special education needs school places over a five-year period within challenging cost parameters.


To achieve best value and come up with the most appropriate solutions required an innovative approach throughout. As well as assessing the most suitable route for each project – an extension or refurbishment, or a full new build – for each individual school requirement, Pick Everard also worked with Hounslow to deliver savings through modern methods of construction.


Hounslow’s capital expenditure budget wasn’t the only cost saving – other council services benefitted financially too as the partnership also delivered many social benefits for the local community.


Editor Andrew Pring


Sales director Julian Walter


Production Gina Mitchell


Design Sandra Cid


Managing director Toby Filby


Some 30% of the workforce involved in the projects, for example, lived within travelling distance of the school sites and the entire supply chain spend was delivered through SMEs – ensuring a positive economic impact locally. Furthermore, many of the sports facilities included within school projects across the borough will be available for wider community use outside of school hours, creating as Pick Everard notes in our feature “an important legacy for local people and benefitting not only school children but their families and neighbours”.


It is the cost savings, though, that make this initiative so significant. As the Association of School and College Leaders President Richard Sheriff told Education Secretary Damian Hinds recently, £5.7bn of extra funding is required by their estimates to allow state schools in England to fulfil their basic functions. He added: “On the current trajectory, schools will either have to make more unpalatable cuts to the curriculum and the support they provide to pupils, or they will face insolvency. This is not a scenario which is acceptable to anyone.”


Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. sales@educationdab.co.uk


Quite right, and all the more reason to explore partnership schemes across the country. Hinds may be sincere in his desire to extract new Treasury funding, but no one needs reminding how difficult that exercise will always be.


Andrew Pring Editor


andrew@stable-media.co.uk


The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication.


educationdab.co.uk 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49