Key issues for the 21st-century school
Education is a recognised priority not just for the
Government, but also for society as a whole. It is
the key to preparing the nation for the expansion
of the knowledge economy and its increased demands
for skills and human capital.
Despite their importance to successful education,
many school buildings are of poor design: dull, uniform
and with an institutional look. To succeed in raising
educational standards and improving attainment levels
we need to examine how to make our existing schools
better and ensure that new school buildings are of
good design and well built.
If schools are to provide excellent educational facilities
for the next 20 to 30 years, designs for new school
buildings and major adaptations of existing ones need
to take account of current and likely future developments
in education and technology. Schools, LEAs and designers
need to be aware of key drivers for change in schools:
- The likely
impact of a more diverse curriculum
- New ways of learning and the impact
of ICT
- Opening the school up to other pupils
and the community as a whole
- The inclusion of pupils with special
educational needs into mainstream schools
As new school buildings will serve their communities
for many years to come it is important that
they are high-quality, attractive buildings.
Design quality encompasses a number of issues
but should include sustainability, flexibility
and adaptability, and value for money.
This section surveys the issues mentioned above,
all of which need to be considered when planning and
designing school buildings to ensure that they are
fit for their purpose and enjoyable to use. The subsections
are as follows:
- Schools and the changing curriculum
- New ways of learning and the impact
of ICT
- Blurring the boundaries
- Design quality and sustainability
- Inclusion
