With the summer holidays getting into full swing, Grainge Architects are busy working with schools across the South West to improve or extend their facilities ready for the new term.
A wide range of projects
Our current projects range from brand new dining halls and theatre spaces to the remodelling and refurbishment of existing buildings to create new nurseries or SEND (special educational needs) bases. Regardless of scale, each and every one of these projects aims to provide a better environment for learning by creating spaces that are tailored to each school’s specific needs.
Assessing capacity
Most education projects begin with a capacity study. This involves comparing the school’s existing internal and external spaces against the Department for Education’s guidelines to determine how many students the school can realistically accommodate, based on national space standards and curriculum delivery needs. By undertaking a strategic overview of all the space available within the school, we can assess whether it is being used efficiently, or whether certain rooms are underused or perhaps overcrowded. In many instances, the school is planning for expansion or contraction. This exercise helps to validate the case for additional funding, should more space be required.
Cost-effective, sustainable solutions
Once we have identified any shortfalls in the existing provision, we sketch out ideas for how the buildings can be reconfigured to ensure that spaces such as classrooms, assembly halls and practical areas meet the recommended sizes for safe and effective learning. Our goal is always to find the most cost-effective and sustainable solution. We explore whether the existing building stock can meet the school’s needs through a reorganisation of space usages rather than new-build, thereby saving local authorities and school trusts unnecessary expenditure.
Working with terms times
After a preferred option is agreed, we prepare detailed technical drawings and provide support throughout the tender and construction stages. This work can often be fast-paced to suit term times and we work closely with both school stakeholders and contractors to ensure the project is delivered on time without compromising on quality.
Helping schools to evaluate their estates and create safe, sustainable and future-proof learning space is very rewarding and we are excited to see these projects taking shape over the summer. Our new theatre building at Pyrland School is progressing well on site in preparation for pupils to take the stage in the autumn – stay tuned for updates!