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The head of the government’s £55bn school rebuilding programme has backed a report calling for more refurbishments of older buildings rather than new-build.
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) chief Tim Byles said that “refurbishment need not be seen as the poor relation” of new build.
“We are passionate about making best use of existing buildings and sustainable refurbishment projects,” said Byles in response to a report from English Heritage.
“And indeed over 50 per cent per cent of schools planned will be refurbished. There are already some great examples of cherished local landmarks being given a new lease of life through BSF investment, and this new publication should encourage many more.”
Byles, as the chief executive of the schools capital projects delivery body Partnerships for Schools, acknowledged that to date most of the upgrades have been new-build.
His statement comes as English Heritage published a report suggesting that too often old schools, especially of Victorian age, are deemed unsuitable to refurbishment and are torn down in favour of a new building.
The document, Refurbishing Historic Schools Buildings, published with the support of the Department of Children, Schools and Families, notes that old schools can also be made sustainable and energy-efficient.
Keeping the older architecture and ambience can enhance the learning environment and also maintain the character of the local community, it suggested.
It urged that councils and school leaders “consider sustainability and intrinsic architectural and historic interest in deciding about the future maintenance and use of the school building”. This should be done early on in the rebuilding process and not as an afterthought.
Councils should also search out architects that are best suited to provide this type of consultancy to get the best advice.
English Heritage said that a recent research test commissioned by them showed that “even simple repair and basic improvements will bring significant reduction of draughts and heat loss, and that using a combination of these methods will upgrade most original sash windows to meet building regulations”.
Baroness Andrews, chair of English Heritage, said that “inspirational surroundings” can enrich the educational experience. “Many historic school buildings are beautifully designed and were built to last. Some reflect changes in educational practice and have historical significance too, and many are landmark buildings which mean so much to local communities.”
A survey by English Heritage of more than 1,700 adults found that two-thirds think refurbishments and building extensions is more environmentally friendly than demolishing them and rebuilding new ones.
More than 80 per cent of respondents said local councils should do more to find uses for old, empty schools. Half said that schools with historic character provide a more inspiring educational environment than modern ones. Three in four also say that historic schools contribute to the identity of a local area.
More information on Refurbishing Historic School Buildings and England’s Schools is available on their website.
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