English Heritage issues guidance on saving historic school buildings

English Heritage has called on the Building Schools for the Future programme and local councils to do more to preserve architecturally important school buildings after a survey that two thirds think that refurbishing and extending old schools is more environmentally friendly than demolishing them and rebuilding new ones.

Launching its new guidance for councils - Refurbishing Historic Schools Buildings - with the support of the Department of Children, Schools and Families, the organisation also claimed that refurbishing old school buildings represents a more efficient use of resources than knocking down existing buildings and starting  again from scratch. It said: “[This guidance] demonstrates the huge potential and flexibility of traditional school buildings. They can be adapted, made more energy efficient and expanded with new buildings alongside.”

English Heritage's survey of 1723 adults found that 83% of respondents feel that local councils should do more to find new uses for old, empty schools, and almost half (47%) feel that schools with historic character provide a more inspiring educational environment than modern ones. Three in four also said that historic school buildings contribute to the identity of a local area.

Baroness Andrews, Chair of English Heritage, said: “Inspirational surroundings can have a hugely enriching effect on education. And as we are recognising through more research, 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.

“The Government’s current school investment programme is unique in scale and vital in ensuring that our country’s school estate provides the best possible learning environment for many years to come. But we believe that local education authorities need to strike the best balance between replacement and refurbishment. The latter is often the more environmentally sensitive and effective solution. It uses what we have got, minimises requirements for new materials and cuts demolition waste, and it also helps to reinforce people’s sense of belonging and local identity.”

More information on Refurbishing Historic School Buildings can be found here.