So you're getting a new school (a specialist guide to the school building process for school leaders)

Whether you’re expanding or refurbishing existing premises, or embarking on a new build project, school construction work can seem like an intimidating task.

In most cases, your new school will be managed by the DfE or local authorities - but you'll still want to have a good think about its design and facilities.

While this is the start of an exciting new chapter, there are several considerations you will need to take into account, such as:

• How will we design spaces that are suitable for teaching?
• How will we integrate tech in the classroom (interactive displays, student devices, etc.)?
• Will we receive further support following the completion of the construction process?

Fear not! Let this blog guide you through the school building process and explain everything you need to know about education construction.

Why get a new school building?

The first step in the construction process is identifying the need for a new building or significant refurbishment. There are various factors why a new school may be necessary:

• Capacity issues - whether down to new housing developments, or the closing of other schools in the area, increasing student numbers can overwhelm existing spaces, making it difficult to maintain a safe and effective learning environment.
• Ageing infrastructure - older buildings often come with costly maintenance issues and outdated facilities that no longer meet the needs of 21st-century education. This can pose safety risks, such as the serious concerns about the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in school construction. Furthermore, with technology constantly evolving, schools may struggle to reach modern standards when it comes to digital integration.
• Specialist requirements - schools with specific focuses, such as STEM, performing arts, or special education needs, may require custom-built spaces to support their curriculums.
• Sustainability concerns - many older schools were not built with environmental considerations in mind, and modern construction techniques can significantly reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

Once the need for a new school has been established, the next step is planning and design…

Planning your new school

Once you’ve identified the need for a new school building, it’s time to consider the goals of the institution - both pedagogical and practical. There are several questions that school leaders and contractors will need to consider:

• Pedagogical needs - what are the teaching and learning styles that will be supported by the new space? Will it include spaces for group work, flexible learning environments, or specialist labs? Accessibility is another important consideration - will SEND students or students facing language barriers have sufficient support?
• Technology integration - how will technology be incorporated into the building’s design? Future-ready schools should prioritise the integration of ICT infrastructure from the outset, ensuring the building is adaptable to technological advancements.
• Sustainability - new schools must adhere to strict sustainability guidelines, so planning energy-efficient designs and renewable energy options should all be part of the discussion. It’s worth noting the Department of Education (DfE) unveiled a strategy in 2022 that sets the goal for schools to achieve zero carbon status by 2030 under the initiative named "Let’s Go Zero", which aims to eliminate inefficient buildings and outdated technology. You’ll want to make sure your school stays on top of this.

Designing an ideal learning environment

Once the initial vision has been cemented, you’ll need to start working on design plans.

Here are a few modern design features that will help drastically improve your school and allow students to learn to the best of their ability:

• Flexible spaces - one of the trends in modern school design is creating flexible spaces that can adapt to various teaching methods. Classrooms with movable walls, breakout areas, and spaces designed for collaborative group work are becoming increasingly popular.
• Outdoor learning environments - incorporating outdoor spaces into the school design can encourage active learning, providing students with areas to engage with nature or practice sports.
• A focus on well-being and inclusivity - schools should be designed to cater to the well-being of all students, including those with special educational needs. Design considerations might include sensory rooms, accessible design features, and quiet spaces for mental health support.
• ICT integration and future-proofing - as we’ll explore further below, technology should be embedded into the design, not added afterward. Interactive displays, student devices, and digital learning platforms are now integral parts of the learning experience.

Of course, working with an ICT in education consultancy is an effective way to ensure your unique needs and requirements are met. Our consultants at Novatia make it a top priority to understand exactly what you are looking for - we'll also assist you through all RIBA stages of your education project, including working with your design team and supporting you with client engagement.

For example at Hill View School, we ensured effective integration of digital technologies into the physical design of the teaching and learning spaces, enabling the interactive boards in the classrooms and portable devices in the outdoor learning spaces to connect to the wireless networks across the entire site. To achieve this, we worked closely with the architects to guarantee that these elements were not just functional but also enhanced the overall learning environment.

ICT integration: designing a school for the digital age

Building a new school is not all about concrete and scaffolding - digital infrastructure is another key consideration to keep in mind.

Technology is essential in educational settings - from maintaining day-to-day administrative responsibilities to helping students learn. That’s why it’s crucial that digital integration begins from the beginning of any school construction work. 

Here are some of the key types of ICT infrastructure that you’ll need to consider from the very beginning:

• Data cabling and networking infrastructure - this is crucial for connecting devices, systems, and users within the school environment. You will need to implement both wired and wireless networks that provide high-speed internet access throughout the campus. Factors such as network capacity, bandwidth requirements and coverage areas will also need to be considered. While Cat 6a cabling may be commonplace in new build projects today, we already have Cat 7 and Cat 8 standards available in the market and have started to see some use in the commercial sector especially in data centre considerations.
• Wireless connectivity -  the school construction process should oversee the installation of Wi-Fi access points in classrooms, social areas, and outdoor spaces to facilitate seamless connectivity for staff and students. While 2024 saw a movement from Wi-FI 6e (802.11ax) to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), we already have Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) ready for adoption in 2028. This means ensuring that the data cabling and networking infrastructure is designed to not only grow with the ambitions of the school but with the increasing size of data and bandwidth requirements over time.
• Data storage and management systems - these are necessary for securely storing and accessing educational resources, student records and administrative information. Cloud-based storage solutions, data backup systems and data security measures are all essential components that work to manage and protect the data of your institution.

Our work at Novatia involves close collaboration with architects, educators, and IT specialists to ensure that the physical spaces support the technology and, more importantly, that the technology supports the learning. From providing scalable ICT solutions within DfE budgets to planning ICT integration, we’ll ensure your unique requirements are met.

The construction phase 

With the design finalised, it’s time for the construction process to begin. This phase can take several months, depending on the size and complexity of the project - it’s advisable to start building work at a time that causes minimal disruption to school activities. Christmas, Easter, and the summer holiday periods offer ideal windows for carrying out focused small and medium-sized projects that require more in-depth work. 

Here is the typical step-by-step process of the construction phase:

• Site preparation - before construction can start, the site must be prepared. This can involve demolishing existing buildings, clearing the area, and setting up access routes for construction vehicles.
• Foundation and structure - once the site is ready, construction can begin on the foundations and the framework of the building.
• Services installation - at this stage, electrical, plumbing, and ICT infrastructure will be installed. It’s essential that your ICT partner is involved to ensure that the network, cabling, and systems are installed correctly and efficiently.
• Interior finishes - as construction nears completion, interior spaces are finished, with the installation of furniture, classroom technology, and audio-visual equipment.

Throughout the building process, all safety protocols must be strictly adhered to and risk assessments should be constantly monitored by contractors and the school. To ensure your education construction project runs smoothly, it’s important to take health and safety seriously. Any accidents or guideline breaches could cause significant setbacks, wasting both time and money - in addition to the obvious and more serious consequences of serious injury or even death.

Timely DfE sign-off (where applicable)

• Producing all high-quality ICT O & M manuals and other handover documents
• Reviewing and approving that installation is per the design to cover the defects liability period
• All our documentation from inception of the project through to handover are robust, high quality and easy to read - and we are proud that they are DfE approved. This, as well as hands-on coordination and liaison, has resulted in an excellent track record of first time DfE sign off.

Post-construction: getting settled

• Testing and commissioning - before students and staff move in, all systems should be rigorously tested. This includes the ICT infrastructure, classroom technology, and building management systems.
• Staff training - teachers and administrative staff need to be trained on how to use new technologies and systems - there’s no point having all the latest technology if no one is equipped to use it.
• Ongoing support - even after the school is open, a robust relationship with your ICT partner remains crucial. Ongoing technical support, network maintenance, and updates to digital platforms are essential to ensure that the school runs smoothly.

Novatia has stringent processes in place to ensure that every aspect of the ICT infrastructure is tested thoroughly before it goes live. This can involve conducting multiple rounds of testing on the network, interactive whiteboards, and other key components to ensure they were functioning as expected. 

You can rely on us as a proven, experienced ICT partner for your construction project. We’ll support you throughout the whole construction project following the RIBA process - bidding, pre-construction, and construction. This ensures an ICT solution that is designed and installed to meet your current and future requirements and is fully integrated into the overall building design - from design to delivery, we’ve got you covered.

To discover more about our services and find out more about past projects, get in touch with us today.