School design

We support local authorities seeking high design quality as part of Building Schools for the Future, the Primary Schools Capital programme and Sure Start.

Read more about how we work with Building Schools for the Future or see our school design publications for practical advice.

We also promote built environment education among teachers through our education programme and Engaging Places.

Latest additions

Creating excellent primary schools: a guide for clients

Helping primary school clients, working in either the local authority or the school itself, to make the most of new capital investment in their buildings.

Our school building matters

A toolkit to help teachers make the most of the learning opportunities created by building a new school or refurbishing an existing one.

Where would you prefer to go to school?

Is it fair that some pupils are being taught in dank, cramped conditions while others are learning in world class facilities?

School design at CABE

School design – don't shred the investment

Sir John Sorrell argues for Government to continue investing in the fabric of our schools.

Successful school design

Helps local authority clients, bidders, designers and local planning authorities with Building Schools for the Future.

Creating excellent secondary schools

Read our guide for local authorities and schools entering the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Schools design panel (design review)

Learn how we assess proposals for new schools and browse our comments on those we've seen so far.

10 assessment criteria (schools design panel)

Find out how our schools design panel assesses all schemes against 10 assessment criteria to reach an overall design quality rating.

Presenting your scheme (schools design panel)

Consider how you could present your scheme to the schools design panel in the most effective way.

Minimum design standard (schools design panel)

The new standard will apply to school renewal projects as part of Building Schools for the Future.

Building Schools for the Future

Find out about our support for local authorities involved in Building Schools for the Future.

School design on the web

Partnerships for Schools

Responsible for delievering the government's capital investment into schools.

National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services

Making a difference through excellent school leadership.

Imagine: inspirational school design

Inspirational school design from around the world.