Building Schools for the Future 

Capita Symonds, our property consultancy business, is part of the inspiredspaces consortium that is playing a key role in Nottingham City Council’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

In the first wave of this £208m programme in Nottingham, we are helping to create 8 inspiring new schools through a combination of new build, refurbishment and remodelling.

So what did we do?
– Strategic advice
– Educational consultancy
– Building design
– Architectural services
– Engineering services

How can you help school students truly reach their potential?
Try improving their learning environment. The Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme aims to improve the life chances of 3.3 million children by making school buildings more effective places in which to learn – and teach.

In Nottingham, for example, we are using our expertise in architecture to change the way education is delivered. At Big Wood School we have created 4 ‘learning clusters’ for the principal subject areas. They share a central courtyard and amphitheatre, and each also has its own outdoor learning space − including an area of natural habitat for science and humanities.

In place of cellular classrooms linked by corridors, a flexible suite of rooms and breakout spaces adapts to make formal or informal study areas for 1, 5, 10, 30, 60 or 90 students. There are standard-sized classrooms too – with sliding dividers so they can be combined.

These ‘diverse and agile spaces’ result from consultations with managers, teachers and pupils. They are allowing teachers to take a more imaginative approach to timetabling, bringing departments together and developing collaborative learning that explores the overlaps between different subjects. Teachers are enjoying the chance to rethink what they do, and to vary the pattern of teaching in 60-minute blocks.

It’s a journey they’ve only just begun. But already they are reporting improved behaviours and higher aspirations among their pupils. Which is exactly what BSF set out to achieve.

Our architects call it a ‘diverse spatial experience’. The students say it’s…
...bright and modern
...open and safe
...grown up – not too young or old
...got lots of space
...given us different areas to work in
...a place we like