Investing in schools
We know from international studies that the built environment has a significant impact on the effective delivery of teaching and learning.

We intend for our schools to be designed and equipped for the future, offering flexibility of use, inspiring those who teach and learn and supporting a wide range of experiences and activities.

We have the ability to shape our new buildings and refurbishments to support transforming educational models and to fully integrate ICT.

For example, our Central Newcastle school is adopting the design principles derived from the Design Council’s recent teaching experiment involving the ‘360-degree classroom’, whilst at Sutton High the girls are involved in the design of an innovative Learning Resources environment.

Sustainability and the use of renewable energy sources is similarly an important factor, not least for our students who are socially aware and responsible. The new music studio at our Sydenham school includes an array of photovoltaic panels harnessing solar energy. The installation was part funded by EDF Energy’s green fund, through the Solar for London Initiative.

Good quality innovative design is also high on the GDST agenda and our architects have won a series of awards for imaginative design solutions, often in challenging and constrained locations. The new junior school buildings at our Cardiff and Portsmouth schools are both award-winners, each providing complementary, contemporary additions to mature Victorian sites.

Responding to student demand within the curriculum is another key requirement of the built environment. A consequence of the increasing popularity of drama and other performing arts is the growing GDST expertise and flair in the provision of these facilities. Several schools have multi-million pound projects scheduled in the current five-year Capital Building Programme.