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The Vision into Practice Group has been working with the DfES on ‘Visioning’ the future design and purpose of special schools. The attached link is a presentation which the key architect in the DfES, Gill Hawkins, gave at a recent conference. It has some interesting information on the principles behind the forthcoming guidance on special schools for the future, co-location, and design features. To view presentation click the link below. Then use the arrows at the bottom of the screen, or click the icon in the bottom right hand corner and then keep left clicking screen. |
"The group has developed a draft output specification
which will inform the
architect(s) what the requirements are for the new build. Members of the
group are now visiting recently built special schools up and down the
country (literally from Sunderland to Gloucester, London and Oxfordshire) to
ensure that what is being described in the output specification accurately
reflects what is required. The group is then meeting on the 15 March to
'share their experiences' as well as to meet one of the DfES architects who
is working on the design briefs nationally for special schools. There will
hopefully, be a 'meeting of minds' and the output specification can be
completed during the summer term."
| Article
written in Croner Education's School Leadership magazine, Spring 2003,
regarding incorporating environmental elements in school construction
projects. A new-build school in County Durham acquired co-partners to
sponsor equipment and materials to facilitate cost-effective installation
of "green" features, including: PVC-free cabling; Eco-Vat Tanks,
which are underground chambers which collect rainwater for re-use in the
WC cisterns; a Wind Turbine, which was sponsored by an electricity
company, and exports electricity to the national grid when the school does
not require it; Photo-voltaic panels to generate power; central roof
lights and glazed panels, which allow natural daylight into core areas;
Under-floor heating, which proved to be more energy efficient and more
comfortable to work in.
An interesting article, with ideas that may be worth considering at some point. |
Vision into practice 17 September 2003
Buildings for the future 8th and 15th oct
Building/Room Requirements Update May 2004 pdf
Building/Room Requirements Update August 2004 pdf
Homepage S.S.R. Staffing. E-mail.