Education and building for learning

Supporting Public Sector projects for close to forty years, John Rowan and Partners knows that whether it is housing, hospitals or schools, it’s the end users whose satisfaction really matters. Ken Morgan, Equity Partner and Head of the Public Sector Regeneration team, talks to Insight about the education sector and why asset management matters…

We’ve been helping to deliver schools, colleges and dormitories for over 20 years now. As with our housing and hospitality work, it ultimately comes down to creating spaces that work for the end user, while using asset management to get the most out of the buildings.

It will certainly come as no surprise to anyone that we think there needs to be more money invested in education. We’re pleased that Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched his government’s plans for investing in new build and refurbishment work for schools and colleges in July this year and believe that it’s a move that isn’t a moment too soon.

The government says it wants to see a 10-year, £1 billion programme rolled out starting this year. Given that the majority of our school buildings are more than 40 years old, and very little has been spent on bringing them up to date in recent years, such investment is sorely needed.

The first 50 projects were due to start during the 20-21 academic year and present the perfect opportunity to design in sustainability, creating greener and more environmentally friendly places of learning.

Review, review, review

However before just investing money, educational organisations should ensure they are undertaking effective asset management to really look at how they are using their stock, what needs improvement, refurbishment or knocking down and starting again.

Good asset management is the only way to ensure that educational facilities achieve value for money and the greatest social return on investment (SROI).

Sustainable education

New buildings are also needed – something that we’ve been involved in for a number of years – and provide the perfect opportunity to develop more sustainable stock.

At the historic Wellington College in Berkshire, for example, where we provide cost management advice, two of their projects will include heat pumps. These will provide a cheap and sustainable source of heating for decades to come.

Sustainability was also designed into the Redbridge Primary School which was recently completed, and will be an important feature in the secondary school swimming pool and leisure centre which we’ve just begun working on.

Compliance review

At John Rowan and Partners, we have a large compliance team that specialises in supporting our clients to ensure buildings are safe. Part of this is asbestos management and this is an area that schools need to review.

Many schools still have asbestos as part of the building fabric and it’s important that schools have the money to be able to review their asbestos and have the right strategy in place to manage it. This may not mean removal, it’s just about having a clear strategy to ensure our schools offer safe environments for both pupils and teachers.

Asset management adds value

We know from our experience that key to a successful asset management programme is current and reliable information. Our advice to any education project is to ensure that you have up to date information and surveys. This way you will be in the perfect position to develop your facilities when the funding finally reaches you.

If in doubt, come and talk to us as we have many years’ experience of providing asset management plans that meet the right balance of cost, quality and resource. Our own online system can help you to evaluate your portfolio, health check assets, incorporate up to date market information and identify where to focus investment to maximise your return and building efficiency.