Design for Learning

The government’s initiative to transform educational buildings has resulted in thousands of schools being rebuilt or improved. Over the last decade there have been 1000 brand new school buildings, 27,000 new or improved classrooms, and 4,500 schools providing extended services. There have also been more than 1260 new children’s centres created, for over 1 million children under the age of five.

A well-designed environment is one of the essential foundations for successful learning. It can make a difference in simple yet vitally important ways: imaginatively designed dining halls can encourage healthy eating; wider corridors can help to cut down on bullying; and classrooms with natural lighting and fresh air can help pupils’ concentration and behaviour. Good design lies at the heart of the school building programme, and is a key part of the agenda to improve teaching and learning and to ensure that educational settings become the focus of their communities.

Open House integrates the needs and visions of teachers, pupils, architects and planners in line with current developments in modernising the nation’s schools. Our programmes on school design provide a knowledge bank of information and inspiration for educationalists in particular, many of whom will be about to embark upon the sometimes daunting process of procuring new school buildings. They also offers a valuable opportunity for the whole community to become better acquainted with design issues connected to schools.

For more information about our programmes and research on school design - or to obtain a copy of the Learning by Design publications - please email learningbydesign@openhouse.org.uk.

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