Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024
Education Property Magazine is a bi-monthly publication that covers all aspects of the education property sector, from financial and market analysis to design and construction best practices. The magazine also features insights from leading industry experts on topics such as net-zero carbon education facilities, future-proof financing and operations, and navigating the evolving political landscape of education.
Education Property Magazine is a bi-monthly publication that covers all aspects of the education property sector, from financial and market analysis to design and construction best practices. The magazine also features insights from leading industry experts on topics such as net-zero carbon education facilities, future-proof financing and operations, and navigating the evolving political landscape of education.
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- education property magazine
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- education property management
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- education design
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- education sustainability
- education finance
- education investment
- education market trends
- uk education
- school properties
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08/2024
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024
Low-carbon heating key to providing
affordable, safe, and sustainable
student accommodation
How Labour’s victory in the General Election
will impact on the education property market
Discussing the untapped potential of
transforming empty commercial premises
into early years education settings
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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Comment
W E L C O M E
Capital investment
key for the new
Labour government
Since the last edition of
Education Property magazine,
there has been a change of
government, with the Labour
Party taking power.
In the run-up to the ballot, the
party put forward a number of
proposals to improve education,
including increased funding
for schools, enhanced teacher
training and recruitment, greater
support for students with special
educational needs, and a focus
on lifelong learning.
And, in the King’s Speech
during the state opening of
Parliament on 17 July, ministers
reiterated their commitment to
boosting the education system,
with plans for a Children’s
Wellbeing Bill, which will
put children and their wellbeing at the centre of the
education and children’s social care systems, and make
changes to ensure children are safe, healthy, happy, and
treated fairly.
But the Government was largely silent on the issue of
capital spending on the education estate, with no firm
commitment on RAAC, asbestos, or the massive backlog
maintenance challenge facing learning establishments
across the country.
This will leave many schools in limbo as they face the
unenviable task of trying to maintain their estate in the
face of rising costs and tough targets around carbon
reduction and sustainability.
In the coming months, as the sector prepares for the
start of the new academic year
in September, the Government
will need to consider how it
can address these challenges
and support schools and other
education providers to enhance
their estates as, after all, the
built environment is critical to
the delivery of the improved
education services the party has
said it is committed to.
The sector will also be looking
closely at the announcement
of an overhaul of the planning
system, which could make it
easier for operators and investors
to acquire and develop new sites
and existing properties for use as
educational facilities, particularly
to meet the need for additional
special education needs and
disabilities (SEND) and nursery school places.
In this edition of Education Property you can read
more about the impact of the change of government on
the sector; including an interview with Oliver Weir of
Nexus Pine and news of a newly-released report from
Christie & Co.
There are also indepth features on school security
challenges and low-carbon heating solutions for student
housing schemes.
Read on to find out more.
Jo Makosinski
Editor
Education Property
About Jo: Jo is the editor of Education Property, having
joined Nexus Media in November.
She has been specialising in design and construction
best practice for the past 14 years, working on the
Building Better Healthcare Awards and editing both
Building Better Healthcare and Healthcare Design &
Management magazines.
She has a special interest in the design of public
buildings including schools, nurseries, colleges,
hospitals, health centres, and libraries.
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Contents
Chief executive officer
Alex Dampier
Chief operating officer
Sarah Hyman
Chief marketing officer
Julia Payne
Editor
Joanne Makosinski
joanne.makosinski@nexusgroup.co.uk
Reporter and subeditor
Charles Wheeldon
Business development director
Mike Griffin
Advertising & event sales director
Caroline Bowern
Business development executive
Kirsty Parks
Sales manager
Luke Crist
Publisher
Harry Hyman
Investor Publishing Ltd, 3rd Floor,
10 Rose & Crown Yard, King Street,
London, SW1Y 6RE
Tel: 020 7104 2000
Website: www.education-property.com
Education Property is published six times a year
by Investor Publishing Ltd.
ISSN 3033-3458
© Investor Publishing Limited 2024
The views expressed in Healthcare Property
are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers.
6-13 News
We round up the latest big
stories, including new education
construction projects and details
of the impact of Labour’s General
Election win on the future of the
sector
14
14-16 Policy
Details of Cardiff Council’s new
education investment strategy,
which provides a framework for
estates improvements over the
next decade; plus why policy
makers need to focus on early
years funding
30
30-36 Building Design
How difficult commercial spaces
can be reinvigorated to provide
dynamic nursery settings, a
fresh approach to student
accommodation design, and
education architects singled out for
praise in national awards
42
38-43 Estates and Facilities
Management
Special report on security
challenges in educational settings
@edu_prop
linkedin.com/company/education-property-magazine/
22
18-29 Finance and Property
We look at the impact of the
General Election outcome on the
education property and investment
sector, explore the tenure
structures which have evolved in
recent years in the children’s day
nursery market, and a new report
reveals increased appetite for
independent SEND school facilities
44
44-48 Environmental
Exploring the education sector’s
net zero carbon challenge,
including how low-carbon modern
heating solutions can help provide
sustainable student housing
49 People
Staffing and people news,
including the latest appointments
in the sector
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News
Education campus takes shape
A ground-breaking ceremony has
been held to officially mark the start of
building work at the state-of-the-art
education and community campus in
Faifley, West Dunbartonshire.
Members from Morrison Construction’s
site team were joined by Councillor Clare
Steel, chairman of educational services
for West Dunbartonshire Council; and
Councillor David McBride, chairman of
infrastructure, regeneration, and economic
development, who both broke ground at
the future campus.
The project includes the new Edinbarnet
Primary School and Auchnacraig and
Lennox Early Learning and Childcare
Centres, as well as an additional support
needs base, an education resource
centre, a new community library, and
community facilities to replace the Skypoint
Centre.
Also included in the campus will be an allweather
sports pitch and an external Multi
Use Games Area (MUGA) to allow students
the opportunity to stay active in all weather
conditions.
And the campus will feature materials
inspired by the historic Cochno Stone,
which is a large cup and ring marked rock
sited within Faifley, which dates back to the
Bronze Age.
Councillor Steel said: “This new campus
will enhance learning for generations of
children and young people in Clydebank.
“The campus will be the most-significant
capital investment ever made within this
community.”
Councillor McBride added: “I am
delighted to cut the first sod marking
the start of building works for the new
educational campus in Faifley.
“Today, we can now proceed with
our ambitious plan of creating the new
educational and community facilities for
the children and community of Faifley.”
And David Ewing, managing director of
Morrison Construction Building Central,
commented: “This is an exciting project
that will provide state-of-art educational
facilities for the local community, and I look
forward to seeing the works progress over
the coming months.”
The campus is being funded through the
Scottish Government’s Learning Estate
Improvement Programme in partnership
with Hub West Scotland, Holmes Miller
Architects, and Morrison Construction.
Caddick to build sixth form extension
Caddick Construction has been
appointed to build a new 24,000sq ft
extension at Loreto Sixth Form College in
Hulme, Manchester.
Work is now underway on the new threestorey
campus building, which is being
constructed in Moss Road West adjacent
to the existing campus in Chichester Road
South.
Planning permission for the expansion
was secured in September last year,
following which Caddick Construction
undertook a series of preparatory works
under a pre-construction services
agreement.
With an emphasis on environmental
sustainability and minimising operational
carbon, the new building will have 39.8%
of its electrical demands met by renewable
sources.
Sustainable features include air source
heat pumps, solar panels, passive
ventilation systems, and night cooling.
Pupils and teachers will also be
encouraged to use sustainable forms of
transport, with the introduction of EV
charging and bike storage.
The new building will sit alongside the
existing college, with additional facilities
to enhance the learning environment
and curriculum delivery, including 20
classrooms, a lecture theatre with a seating
capacity of 200, and a new study centre.
The work will also include partial
refurbishment of existing buildings with new
science labs, new catering facilities, and a
110sq m outdoor canopied seating area.
A science garden and landscaped
reflection spaces will also be created to
maximise the use of green space.
6 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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News
Net-zero school takes shape
Tilbury Douglas has completed the first
phase of construction work on the new
Kingsway Park High School, a net zero
carbon in operation (NZCiO) secondary
school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The team celebrated the handover of the
new building with a naming ceremony,
marking the successful partnership between
Tilbury Douglas, Altus Education Partnership,
and the Department for Education (DfE).
The new three-storey building, named after
former Manchester University chancellor,
Lemn Sissay, was constructed using cloudbased
collaborative technology and lean
construction methods, including an offsitemanufactured
‘kit of parts’.
The school’s NZCiO design embeds
efficient, all-electric, low-energy building
fabric, using photovoltaic panels that balance
electricity use with low embodied carbon
materials and biodiversity.
Facilities include practical teaching
classrooms for design technology and
reprographics, food technology, science
laboratories, and staff rooms.
1,400 pupils moved into the new building as
Tilbury Douglas continues with phase two,
carefully demolishing the existing Laingspan
building to minimise educational disruption
during the exam period.
Additionally, hard-paved and grassy social
areas will be sheltered with newly-installed
canopies featuring photovoltaic panels.
The project has achieved an impressive
social value return on investment of over
£7m, which includes more than £1,000
of donations in kind for the Trussell Trust
Food Bank, 98% local spend, 626 weeks
of apprentice training, and an innovative
partnership with DKMS charity on site to
recruit blood stem cell donors in the fight
against blood cancers.
Martin Horne, regional director for the
North West at Tilbury Douglas, said: “The
ceremony marks a significant milestone as
this building stands as a testament to the
hard work, dedication, and collaboration of
everyone involved.”
Phil Shaw, managing director building
(North), added: “The Tilbury Douglas
team effectively guided the DfE through a
collaborative and well-informed engagement
process, presenting clear and actionable
options to achieve net zero in school
operations.
“This successful experience will be
invaluable as we partner with the DfE to
deliver eight more low-carbon schools in the
North West, ensuring a sustainable future for
education.”
Kier to deliver new college buildings
Kier has been appointed
by the London South East
Colleges (LSEC) to redevelop
its Greenwich campus.
As part of the project, which
has an overall value of £47m,
Kier has been awarded a
contract which will see the
existing buildings demolished
and a state-of-the-art
educational facility constructed.
Awarded through the Procure
Partnership Framework, the
5,654sq m, five-storey college
will provide new facilities that
are specifically designed to
support learning.
Alongside classrooms, there
will be wellbeing spaces and a
student welfare area, as well as
specialist rooms to aid student
interests, including a Mac
studio, a training kitchen, and
learning resource centre.
The design of the college has
a sustainability focus, with a
BREAAM ‘Outstanding’ rating
being targeted.
The building will include
rooftop air source heat pumps
combined with a highly-efficient
ambient loop heating and
cooling system.
On the roof an array of
photovoltaic panels are
combined with an intensive
solar green roofing system.
The campus will remain open
and operational throughout the
construction work.
In addition to the new building,
294 homes are being built on
the site with 50% designated as
affordable housing.
The £47m project is being
supported by the Royal
Borough of Greenwich, the
Greater London Authority, and
the Department for Education
(DfE).
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News
Barfield Prep School opens
new sustainable building
An independent school in Farnham has
opened a new, state-of-the-art school
building, a sustainably-designed facility
which will connect pupils to the natural
environment and inspire them while they
learn.
To celebrate the launch, Barfield Prep
School held an opening ceremony attended
by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan
Earwalker.
Barfield School enlisted the help of TG
Escapes to design and build the new
facilities.
TG Escapes used a method of modular
construction that creates a cost-effective
permanent structure faster, with less
disruption than traditional construction,
ensuring educational continuity for staff
and students.
Its bespoke timber buildings are
sustainable, inspirational, and built around
biophilic design principles, which benefit
stress levels and engagement.
The new building at Barfield Prep School,
which took four months to complete,
includes a new dining hall.
The use of full-height windows running
from floor to ceiling brings the outside
in and the room offers panoramic views
across nature and ample natural light,
making lunchtimes more pleasurable for
the pupils and staff.
Other new additions include a commercial
kitchen with cold and dry stores, a potwash
area, an office, toilet, a plant room, and
an external veranda overlooking the head
teacher’s lawn.
Andy Boyle, Barfield Prep School’s
headmaster, said: “Since I joined the
school, the need for a dedicated dining
hall has been something I have wanted to
address.
“For over 50 years the sports hall doubled
up as the place to eat, but it was a noisy,
chaotic, impractical space with high
windows and no views.
“We now have a beautifully-designed ecofriendly
functional building for everyone at
the school to enjoy and benefit from.
“Having had other developments done
recently, we were expecting there to be
significant disruption to our school day, but
the team managed to go quietly about their
business without impacting on us at all.”
The dining hall space will also host
Barfield’s Upper School pupils for their
after-school prep sessions and prep snacks
and their match teas after sports fixtures.
Clive Hicks, project manager at TG
Escapes, said: “It’s been an honour to work
with Barfield Prep School on this project.
“We are committed to providing pupils
with a positive environment where all
can thrive and this has been achieved on
this project through sustainable design
decisions and material choices.
“The pupils now have views of nature and
high levels of natural light and ventilation —
a great boost for all to enjoy.”
8 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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News
15 school building projects
get the go-ahead
Just days after Northern Ireland Health
Minister, Paul Givan, unveiled a list of
87 schools which need replacing, the
Government has announced capital
funding for 15 of the projects.
In his capital funding allocations for
2024-25, Givan secured an additional £80m
for education this year, which will allow 15
important new-build and extension and
refurbishment projects for schools from all
sectors to proceed to construction.
Visting Bangor Central Integrated Primary
School, one the schools which will now
proceed to tender and construction, the
Minister said “I am delighted to be at
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School
where children and teachers will benefit
from a £10m new school.
“When the UK Government removed ringfenced
Fresh Start funding, I moved this
project and others to my conventional major
works programme.
“It will now proceed as envisaged, as too
will the project for Millennium Integrated
Primary School.”
He added: “Today’s significant
announcement will see 15 schools
benefiting from new state-of-the-art
facilities for young people from Belfast to
Ballymena to Enniskillen and beyond.
“The investment will also provide a
Paul Givan visited Bangor Central Integrated
Primary School, one the schools which will now
proceed to tender and construction
welcome boost to the construction industry
over the next number of years.”
He also announced a ‘series of targeted,
smaller-scale investment programmes to
support and enhance the delivery of the
curriculum in our schools’.
Potential schemes in this area will include
specialist curriculum accommodation at
post-primary; outdoor play, and PE in the
primary phase; and curriculum resources
and equipment more widely.
“It is my priority to ensure the educational
experiences of as many children and
young people as possible across Northern
Ireland are impacted positively by capital
investment,” said Givan.
The opening capital budget for education
in 2024-25 is £254m.
This will allow continued investment in
10 major school build projects currently in
contract or on site and digital infrastructure
across the schools’ estate; keep schools
open and safe; and provide much-needed
school places for the most-vulnerable pupils
with Special Educational Needs (SEN), for
which the Government has earmarked over
£50m.
It is also planned to commence
construction of the flagship Strule Shared
Education Campus in Omagh, which will
provide five new post-primary schools.
The school estate in Northern Ireland
currently includes 1,116 schools with an
estimated capital value of over £3bn.
Seven new-build primary schools will now
progress to procurement and construction
— Bangor Central Integrated Primary
School, Crawfordsburn Primary School,
Edendork Primary School, Glenwood
Primary School, Mary Queen of Peace
Primary School, Millennium Integrated
Primary, and Scoil an Droichid.
Eight primary and post-primary schools
will also receive investment through major
extension and refurbishment and new build
construction projects — Abbey Community
College, Carniny Primary School, Kilronan
Special School, Lurgan Model Integrated
Primary School , St John’s Primary School
(Kingsisland), St Malachy’s College, St
Mary’s Primary School (Barr), and St Kevin’s
College.
Expansion creates additional space
Construction work has been completed
on the expansion of Pentrych Primary
School in Cardiff and the creation of its first
nursery provision.
The new development, undertaken by
contractor, Knox and Wells, has included a
broad scope of works including a new singlestorey
extension housing two classrooms
with their own external play/teaching area
including canopies, a new nursery with toilets
and changing room, teaching kitchen, quiet
room, and external teaching space with
canopies.
A new toilet block, staff office, and
headteacher’s office have also been delivered,
as well as hard and soft landscaping, an
infiltration basin, and a rain garden.
And the scheme included the demolition
of the existing single-storey toilet block and
double demountable classrooms.
During a ceremony last month pupils,
parents, staff, governors, and members of
the community were invited to take part in a
range of activities from natural crafts, campfire
building, and party games, and every child
made a pendant with the new school logo on
as a memento and designed and painted a
commemorative pebble to be placed in the
school’s new courtyard area.
Guests were then given the chance to
tour the new school building and view an
exhibition of photos of Pentyrch Primary
School over time.
Headteacher, Sarah Coombes, said: “The
school is on an incredible journey and
through the power of collaboration we have
now been able to provide a nursery for the
children of Pentyrch along with a school
extension to accommodate greater numbers
of pupils from the local area.
“The newly-established wrap-around care
and an after-school provision also provides
much-needed support for working families.
“After years of planning, we have been able
to realise the dream and we are delighted to
officially open our new and vibrant building.”
A Cardiff Council spokesperson added:
“The completion of works marks an exciting
new chapter for Pentych Primary School and
pupils, staff, and parents are already enjoying
the benefits of the new and enhanced
facilities provided by the scheme.
“The Cardiff Local Development Plan
means the school can accommodate the
increased demand for school places in the
area as well as enabling families in Pentyrch
to access nursery education with wraparound
childcare, and for the first time can
continue with their primary education on the
same site.”
The scheme represents an almost £3m
investment and was joint funded through
capital funding and Section 106 contributions.
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News
First turf cut at site of
new grammar school
Construction work is underway on a new
modern home for Paisley Grammar School.
The campus is a state-of-the-art facility and
will replace the existing school.
Due to open by August 2026 on vacant land
in Renfrew Road, it will boast two full-size
sports pitches, a 300-seat theatre, as well as
a fitness suite, dance and drama studio, and
music suite.
Main contractor, Morrison Construction,
has been on site since March delivering
groundworks to prepare the land for the
main building work, which started earlier this
month and will last for two years.
A ground-breaking ceremony was
conducted by some of the current S1-S3
pupils, who will be among the first young
people to move into the school when it
opens.
S3 pupils Grace Christie and Niamh O’Toole
said: “It was exciting to see what we’re
moving into.
“We liked how clean it looked and are
looking forward to having sports pitches right
there.”
Their classmates, Surbjeet Singh and
Adam Walker, added: “It looks like it’ll be very
interesting to explore. We are excited about
the football pitches as well.”
They were joined by Paisley Grammar
School headteacher, Janice Levens.
She said: “For us as a school this will open
up so many opportunities.
“When you come on site and you see the
space you start to get excited.
“We love the building we are in, and it has
a lot of history attached, but it isn’t modern
enough, so we can’t wait to get into this new
one.
“We’re looking forward to the sense of
space we will have here, both inside and
outside the building.”
Once complete the new school will also
have facilities for the wider community,
such as meeting rooms and flexible learning
spaces.
And the design seeks to meet high
standards for energy efficiency and building
performance.
The location of the building also allows a
close partnership with the neighbouring West
College Scotland campus, with potential
to expand the range of subjects on offer to
pupils.
The new school will be able to hold up to
1,380 pupils, well above the current school roll
of just over 1,000.
Janie O’Neill, Renfrewshire Council’s
director of children’s services, said: “It was a
pleasure to meet some of the young people
who might be among the first to benefit from
this new school, and it’s exciting to think
about what it will offer once complete in two
years time.
“The old Paisley Grammar building has
served generations of pupils well for more
than 100 years, but the needs of learners and
teachers have changed and the new school
will be purpose built to meet them.
“Not only will it be an energy-efficient
building with state-of-the-art facilities for
sports and practical subjects and 21stcentury
learning and teaching, but it will be
an asset for the whole Paisley community,
who will be able to use those facilities out of
school hours.”
The £85.5m project is being delivered by
Renfrewshire Council, supported by funding
from the Scottish Government’s Learning
Estate Improvement Programme.
It is being built within the site of a wider
development which looks to transform
transport links in the north of Paisley and help
create safer access to the school.
David Ewing, managing director for
Morrison Construction Building central
region, said: “As a leading contractor in
the education sector, we are delighted to
work again with Renfrewshire Council and
Scottish Futures Trust on the delivery of the
new Paisley Grammar School Community
Campus.
“It’s great to see work commence in earnest
and we look forward to delivering this
high-quality facility that will make a positive
contribution to the local community.”
The council will look to find a new owner
for the current Paisley Grammar School site
when it becomes vacant in 2026.
10 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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Election Feature • News
New Education Secretary appointed
Bridget Phillipson has been appointed as
the new Secretary of State for Education.
Phillipson has been new Prime Minister,
Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow education
secretary since November 2012 following her
promotion from shadow chief secretary to
the Treasury.
She was first elected as MP for Houghton
and Sunderland South in 2010 and has
served as an opposition whip under Ed
Miliband and sat on several parliamentary
committees, including the high-profile Public
Accounts Committee.
Born in Gateshead in 1983, before running
for Parliament she managed a refuge for
women and children fleeing domestic
violence.
She is one of 11 women in Sir Keir’s
26-strong Cabinet.
And, within hours of her appointment, she
pledged to begin work on the Labour Party’s
manifesto pledge to recruit 6.500 new
teachers.
As one of her first steps in post, the
Education Secretary will write to all
Health Secretary Bridget Phillipson
Credit: Lauren Hurley, No 10 Downing Street
education workforces to make clear
the valuable role they will play in the
Government’s agenda for change.
She will also hold a reception with key
education stakeholders as well as making it
a priority to meet with teaching unions in the
coming days.
And The Department for Education will
immediately resume, and expand, its flagship
teacher recruitment campaign, Every Lesson
Shapes a Life, and its further education
recruitment campaign, Share Your Skills.
Phillipson said: “From day one, we are
delivering the change this country demands
and putting education back at the forefront
of national life.
“We will work urgently to recruit thousands
of brilliant new teachers and reset the
relationship between government and the
education workforce.
“For too long the teaching profession
has been talked down, side-lined, and
denigrated. I have made it my first priority
to write today to the people at the centre of
making change happen: our workforces.
“I want all children to have the best life
chances which means recruiting and
keeping great teachers in our classrooms —
today is the first step in that mission.”
Sir Kevan Collins joins DfE board
Sir Kevan Collins has been appointed
as a non-executive board member at
the Department for Education (DfE) to
provide scrutiny and advice on the new
Government’s delivery of high and rising
standards in schools.
Sir Kevan brings a wealth of expert
experience to the role, having previously
served in government, most recently as
education recovery commissioner at the DfE.
As chief executive of the Education
Endowment Foundation (EEF) he examined
and analysed evidence on education
effectiveness.
He also has experience as a classroom
teacher and as director of children’s services
in Tower Hamlets.
Non-executive board members (NEBMs)
are senior figures from outside government,
appointed by the Secretary of State,
to provide support and challenge to
government departments.
The DfE’s cohort of NEBMs is made up
of individuals from business and other
backgrounds, who give appropriate advice
on many aspects on the running of the
department.
Sir Kevan will sit on the DfE board
alongside ministers and the department’s
wider non-executive board to provide
scrutiny across delivery and performance.
As part of this role, he will advise on driving
high and rising standards — focusing on
finding solutions to the biggest barriers to
opportunity for children, including teacher
shortages and high absence rates.
His appointment comes as the Government
has been clear that the education and care
system does not currently meet the needs
of all children, particularly those with Special
Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
— with earlier interventions in mainstream
schools key for those with less-complex
needs.
To ensure that improving inclusion in
mainstream schools is at the heart of plans
to improve opportunity for those children
with SEND, the Education Secretary, Bridget
Phillipson, has also confirmed that the
Department for Education will restructure so
that SEND and Alternative Provision policy
will come under the responsibility of the
Schools Group.
Phillipson said: “Our push for high and
rising standards across our state schools
began on day one, with first steps including
recruiting 6,500 new teachers.
“I have moved quickly to make sure my
department can deliver on our mission to
break down the barriers to opportunity so
Sir Kevan Collins
every child has the best start in life.
“Sir Kevan has been an outstanding force
for good in schools, especially his work
advocating for our teachers and children
during the pandemic, and he will play a
crucial role in advising the department.”
Sir Kevan added: “I am delighted to be
returning to the Department of Education.
“There are real challenges facing our
schools and I am looking forward to being
part of a renewed drive to ensure that we
tackle these with bold and fresh new ideas,
to deliver high and rising standards in every
corner of the country.”
Sir Kevan’s appointment has been
approved by the Commissioner for Public
Appointments, in line with the Governance
Code on Public Appointments.
He will remain in the post for three years.
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 11
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 11 25/07/2024 17:15
News • Election Feature
Under pressure
The UK construction sector expresses
frustration with the economy
Following the election of the new
government, Glenigan and NBS
— both part of Byggfakta Group
— have released the findings from a poll
of construction professionals which reveal
ongoing frustration within the market and
calls for tax incentives and subsidies to
support sustainable projects.
The study found that 39% of construction
professionals are feeling pessimistic about
the economy, 35% worry about skills
shortages (35%), and almost a quarter are
concerned about regulatory volumes and
the fast pace of rollout (24%).
Around one in five were anxious about
building quality (21%), frustrated with
planning complexity (23%), and generating
enough business (21%).
There is also concern about delivering to
existing procurement models and tightening
margins (17%), as well as frustration with
the lack of regulatory enforcement (13%).
And the recent period of high interest
rates is putting construction under pressure.
INCREASED DELAYS
Four in 10 construction professionals have
experienced project start delays (37%),
payment delays (37%), and increased
borrowing costs (36%).
A third have experienced delays in new
projects and financing difficulties, and a
quarter have seen more project cancellations.
Around one in five were concerned about
access to finance.
Worryingly, a quarter of construction
professionals say it is hard to do business in
the UK.
However, it is not all doom and gloom
as the poll of architects and construction
professionals found half of those working in
construction (52%) expect more projects to
get off the ground post election and predict
a greater range of projects and opportunities
coming their way.
Interestingly, the most bullish were
those working in construction firms with a
revenue of £50-£100m, with 61% expecting
more work.
And one in three construction
professionals say infrastructure, social
housing, and planning policy are important
to this generation of politicians.
A similar number expect clients to greenlight
projects more easily.
TIME FOR OPTIMISM
The study, which focused on industry
sentiment in the lead up to the election,
found that optimism was running high for
the new government.
Making sustainability a priority was a
consistent call from built environment
professionals, and a third of construction
and architectural specialists called for
While construction has built a reputation
for resilience, there’s an expectation
that our new Labour Government will
be good for the sector, driving growth
through unlocking the planning system
and prioritising the housing shortage
12 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 12 25/07/2024 17:15
Election Feature • News
tax incentives and subsidies to support
sustainable projects. A similar number
wanted tougher measures on construction
waste.
A quarter (27%) also called for a green
infrastructure taskforce to support city and
transport network decarbonisation.
And one in five architects (17%) wanted
to see EPDs become legally binding, higher
than construction professionals (11%) and
engineers (14%).
The survey of over 500 industry
professionals revealed that, despite a
sluggish year of project approvals, positivity
remains — and that hope is on the horizon.
DRIVING GROWTH
Russell Haworth, chief executive of
Byggfakta Group, which owns Glenigan
and NBS, said: “While construction has
built a reputation for resilience, there’s
an expectation that our new Labour
Government will be good for the sector,
driving growth through unlocking the
planning system and prioritising the
housing shortage.
“Construction professionals want
the climate crisis to be addressed with
both carrots and sticks in the form of tax
incentives and regulation to ensure the
Former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, once
described himself as an optimist, but one
who carries a raincoat, and this is the attitude
the construction sector needs to adopt in the
immediate aftermath of the election
UK can cope with climate change. I’m
cautiously optimistic about the future.”
But Allan Wilen, economics director at
Glenigan, warned: “Former Prime Minister,
Harold Wilson, once described himself as
an optimist, but one who carries a raincoat,
and this is the attitude the construction
sector needs to adopt in the immediate
aftermath of the election.
“In the short term, there’s unlikely to be a
big spending spree as the new Government
surveys the lie of the economic land and
allocates spending where it’s urgently
required.
“My advice is not to expect the
shopping list of manifesto promises to
be delivered overnight; we’ll likely have
to wait until the Spending Review in
autumn/winter 2024 for more clarity; even
then, with multiple departments vying
for funding, windfalls seem unlikely, and
I would say contractors need to prepare
themselves for a period of having to do
more for less.
“Where we will hopefully see early
progress is on planning, with Labour
pledging an immediate updating of the
National Policy Planning Framework and
the re-instatement of local housing targets
to unlock development sites.” n
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Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 13 25/07/2024 17:15
Policy
New investment strategy
for Cardiff schools
A
new education investment strategy
aimed at ensuring more young
people will have opportunities to
learn in high-quality school settings now
and in the future has been published by
Cardiff Council.
The strategy, which covers the nine years
to 2033, provides a framework for future
decision making and supports Cardiff ’s
Child Friendly City status which prioritises
the rights and needs of children and
young people, putting them at the heart of
everything the council does.
And it builds on the work already carried
out across the city as part of Cardiff ’s
Sustainable Communities for Learning
programme, previously known as the 21st
Century Schools Programme.
Over the past 10 years, more than
£460m has been invested in completing
construction of three new secondary
schools, with two more underway;
nine new primary schools; hundreds of
additional specialist places for children and
young people with complex Additional
Learning Needs (ALN); and upgrading
works to many other schools across the city.
Councillor Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council
deputy leader and cabinet member for
education, said: “The education investment
which this administration has driven since
2014 has seen real progress made in Cardiff.
“We have always sought to do our best,
within available budgets, to improve the
environment for teaching and learning in
the city, and this work, and this investment,
has also played its part helping Cardiff leap
up the education ranks in Wales to produce
some of the best exam results in the country
for A-Levels and GCSEs in recent years.
“Our investment has seen many new
schools built and many others upgraded.
“Schools assessed as Category D for
condition — buildings at end of life — have
been replaced or replacements have been
commissioned and are in the process of
being delivered, and once the new builds
for Willows High School and the new
Cantonian High School are delivered, only
one category D school will be remaining,
which will be addressed in this strategy.”
However, she said ‘fresh challenges had
emerged’, including a requirement for many
more ALN spaces, and projected falls in
pupil numbers across Cardiff.
“These are significant challenges,
especially when set against cuts to local
government budgets, and it means we now
need to reset,” she added.
“The landscape has changed and if we are
to continue the good work achieved to date
The landscape has changed and if we are to
continue the good work achieved to date we
need to be clear about how we will deal with
these challenges
14 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 14 25/07/2024 17:15
Policy
then we need to be clear about how we will
deal with these challenges.
“This new education investment strategy
will help us chart a path through the next
nine years, while keeping a steely focus on
improving education settings and education
opportunities for all our young people to
ensure every child has the best-possible start
in life.”
In a report to Cardiff Council’s cabinet
committee in May, recommendations were
made to approve the renewed vision which
aims to deliver an ‘aspirational, equitable
and sustainable’ way to invest in the Welsh
capital’s schools.
The cabinet approved the following:
• The Education Investment Strategy
Caerdydd 2024-2033, which provides a
framework for decision making across
the education system
• ‘Cardiff ’s Sustainable Communities
for Learning Rolling Programme
2024-2033’ to allow a business case
to be formally submitted to Welsh
Government for approval by the
Minister
• Note that individual proposals under
‘Cardiff ’s Sustainable Communities for
Learning Rolling Programme 2024-
2033’ will be subject to appropriate
business cases
• Note that the Cathays High School
project will no longer by delivered
through the Mutual Investment Model,
but will instead form a capital project in
the rolling programme
The report also outlines several challenges
the council will have to overcome to deliver
the ambitious strategy, including:
• Demographic changes — including
falling birth rate numbers in the city,
which could see primary schools lose
around 20% of their pupils by 2029. As
funding is based on pupil numbers this
will put an enormous strain on school
budgets, and this drop in numbers could
also later affect secondary schools
• ALN demand — this has outstripped
supply of places over many years
• National and local commitments and
targets for expanding Welsh-medium
school provision
• The education estate — although
Category D schools will have been
replaced, there are still many schools in
poor condition
• Recruitment and retention challenges —
including all levels of staffing
• An increasing number of schools facing
budget challenges
• Inequality of provision — including
access to Welsh-medium education and
post-16 education
• The wellbeing and mental health of
Property
Condition
2020 % 2021 % 2023 %
A 3 2% 8 6% 11 9%
B 37 29% 38 30% 50 39%
C 84 66% 78 61% 65 50%
D 3 2% 3 2% 3 2%
Total 127 127 129
The table shows the property condition classification of all Cardiff schools as at September 2023
The report is clear that a range of options must
be considered to ensure investment achieves
the greatest benefits
young people — which has deteriorated
since the pandemic
• Insufficient community use of school
facilities across the education estate —
with a clear need to place schools and
school facilities at the centre of local
communities
Cllr Merry said: “The report is clear that a
range of options must now be considered
to ensure any investment is prioritised to
achieve the greatest benefits for learners
and communities, ensuring there are
appropriate, high-quality school places for
young people delivered at the right time
and in the right place to best serve our local
communities.
“Future plans must address a range of
challenges such as the demographic changes
to birth rates that vary between pupil
cohorts which could see primary schools
lose 20% of their students over the next five
years.
“The significant demand for Additional
Learning Need provision has also increased
and despite the great work carried out over
the past 10 years, we can’t ignore the very
real issues around parts of the education
estate that is still in poor condition.
“Some form of consolidation will likely
have to take place as we look to safeguard
and improve.”
The Education Investment Strategy
Caerdydd 2024 — 2033 has been
developed with input from a range of
stakeholders, with children and young
people involved in shaping the direction
from the outset.
And it is the framework for decision
making across the education system that
underpins the Council’s new Sustainable
Communities for Learning Rolling
Programme, a large-scale capital investment
programme jointly funded by the Welsh
Government.
This will enable the council to build upon
recent achievements and infrastructure
improvements across Cardiff ’s schools
and inform the changing demands for the
future.
The rolling programme will also set out
the criteria by which individual proposals
for investment will be measured and set
against appropriate business cases.
Consideration will be given to
affordability and appropriate use of funds
in the immediate term that will deliver a
more-sustainable pattern of provision for
the future.
This will ensure that any investment
will need to meet the principles outlined
in Cardiff ’s Sustainable Communities for
Learning Programme to guarantee the best
use of the council’s financial resources while
balancing the competing needs across the
city brought by the challenges Cardiff now
faces.
Consideration for future investment
would be given to the following:
• Align with national and local priorities
specific to improving education
outcomes
• Improve the condition of the estate
• Reduce inequality across the city
• Deliver an appropriate balance of
specialist ALN provision
• Targeted investment through asset
renewal or new build to improve the
condition of the estate
• Ensure sustainable levels of surplus in the
estate
• Strong option appraisal process to
underpin robust decision making
• Maximise scope to ‘invest to save’ to
reduce reliance on borrowing n
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 15
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 15 25/07/2024 17:15
Policy
THE LABOUR PARTY’S
KEY PRE-ELECTION
EDUCATION POLICIES
Change of tack needed
for early years funding
E
b
m
1. Increased funding for schools:
The Labour Party’s commitment to
increased funding for schools aims
to address resource disparities and
ensure that all schools can provide
high-quality education. This funding
boost will allow schools to improve
facilities, invest in new technology, and
provide additional learning resources.
2. Enhanced teacher training and
recruitment: The Labour Government
plans to invest in teacher training and
recruitment, ensuring that schools
are staffed with highly-qualified and
motivated educators. This initiative
includes better pay, professional
development opportunities, and
support for teachers.
3. Greater support for students with
special educational needs: A key
aspect of Labour’s manifesto was
the provision of greater support for
students with special educational
needs (SEN). This includes more
funding for SEN resources, specialised
training for teachers, and improved
access to individualised learning plans.
4. Improved access to vocational and
adult education: Labour’s focus on
vocational and adult education aims
to create more pathways to success
for students. This includes expanding
vocational training programs and
increasing access to adult education
courses.
5. A focus on lifelong learning:
The Labour Party emphasises the
importance of lifelong learning,
encouraging continuous education
beyond traditional schooling years.
This includes supporting adult learners
who wish to return to education
and enhancing community learning
programmes.
The new Government’s early years
funding policies should be weighted more
heavily towards low-income families and
children with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND), the Education
Policy Institute (EPI) has warned.
Tammy Campbell, the EPI’s director for
early years, inequalities, and wellbeing,
spoke out after official statistics were
released earlier this month by the
Department for Education (DfE) on
education provision for children under the
age of five in England.
The figures showed that the number
of disadvantaged two year olds eligible
and registered for the 15-hour entitlement
continued to decrease, despite the take-up
rate increasing.
And among three and four year olds,
those registered for both 15- and 30-hour
entitlements also fell.
The reductions were put down to falling
birth rates, the transition to Universal
Credit from legacy benefits, and income
thresholds for the eligibility criteria remaining
unchanged while average incomes have
risen in recent years.
Commenting on the statistics, Campbell
said: “Today’s statistics show a fall in the
number of disadvantaged two year olds
accessing funded early education and care.
“In part, this is because of declining
birthrates — but not entirely. It also highlights
the fact that fewer and fewer low-income
Image: Carole LR from Pixabay
families are deemed eligible for funding at
age two.
“This is due firstly to a freezing of the
income threshold initially set in 2014. It
is also underpinned by changes to the
welfare benefits system, which result in
fewer disadvantaged families accessing
entitlements that qualify them for funding at
two.
“This lessened access for two year olds
from low-income families is worrying,
particularly in the context of current policy,
which focuses on expanding funding for
families higher up the income distribution.
“It is children from low-income families who
are more likely to benefit developmentally
from high-quality early education and care.
“EPI therefore recommends that early years
funding should be weighted much more
heavily towards low-income families — as
well as children with SEND, who are vastly
underserved by the current system and the
expansions.”
On the DfE’s revelation that the proportion
of early years staff without a Level 2 or
Level 3 qualification or accredited graduate
status had risen from 16% in 2018 to 22% in
2024, she added: “Given that staff are key
to quality provision in the early years, this
seems to be a move in the wrong direction.
“EPI recommends that the new
government should provide and implement
a clear strategy for ensuring a high-quality
early years workforce.”
16 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 16 25/07/2024 17:15
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Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 17 25/07/2024 17:15
Finance and Property
Education ‘a frontrunner’ in
post-election property sector
Following the outcome of the General Election, we
speak to Oliver Weir of Nexus Pine about the likely
impact on the property sector
Following the General Election
outcome, education property
investors and operators will be
watching closely to gauge the impact of
the promised expansion in nursery school
places.
In its manifesto, Labour pledged to create
100,000 additional childcare places and
more than 3,000 new nurseries as part of a
wide-reaching childcare plan.
And it said it would turn classrooms in
existing primary schools into ‘school-based
nurseries’ for an estimated cost of around
£40,000 per classroom.
The money to pay for this was earmarked
to come from a highly-controversial VAT
levy on private schools.
While the source of funding may be
up for further debate, the need for new
nursery schools is not going away as Labour
also committed to sticking to the former
Government’s plans for an expansion of
early years funded childcare, with working
parents able to receive additional free
childcare hours from April of this year.
The Department for Education (DfE)
has previously said about 85,000 extra
childminder and nursery places are needed
in England for this expansion to work.
AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET
Nexus Pine acquires and manages a
portfolio of educational properties across
the country. In recent years, the educational
sector has seen increased interest in the
nursery sector, which is expected to
continue in light of the proposed early years
funding extension.
Speaking to Education Property, Oliver
Weir, investment associate at Nexus
Pine, explains: “The COVID pandemic
accelerated a number of trends in the
property investment market.
“With the ongoing pressures in the retail
and office sectors, there has been a rise in
the demand for alternatives, and education
has emerged as an attractive proposition
given the income profile and fragmented
nature of the market with the potential for
consolidation.
“Education is viewed as being defensive
in nature, in that it is supplying a required
service. At its core, the sector offers
investors an attractive blend of long-term,
inflation-linked income, strong covenant
strength, and relative stability.
“The education sector remains highly
fragmented in terms of operators, with
only a small number of large groups. In
the nursery sector, Busy Bees and Bright
Horizons have the greatest share of the
national market, with Kids Planet making
its mark in the North of England.”
OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE
But these operators cannot buy every
building which comes up for grabs, so
there has recently been a number of new
operators, investors, and lenders entering
the market, attracted by the strong cash
flows that can be generated and the
operational resilience.
Weir said: “As investors, we are working
with a number of newer operators looking
to expand their operations in the sector.
“When we are considering which
operators to work with, we look to gain an
understanding of their financial picture and
how they are funded.
“Carrying out due diligence on potential
sites for nursery businesses is key for
investors.”
And, according to Weir, there are several
‘selling points’.
He explains: “Location is fundamental
when assessing a potential acquisition.
“We will look at a number of factors,
18 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 18 25/07/2024 17:15
Finance and Property
including the local demographic, nearby
demand, and the value of residential
properties around the site. We will also
look at what competition there is in that
locale.”
The condition of buildings also plays a
major part in decision making.
Weir said: “We consider all types of
buildings, but remain wary of potential
issues including asbestos, high alumina
cement, or the highly-topical reinforced
autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the
older stock.
“But what we have seen as an emerging
trend is nurseries situated in new-build
residential developments where developers
are required to deliver commercial space as
part of the scheme.
“That works particularly well for
nurseries as they are handed the property
in shell condition ready for their bespoke
fit out, allowing them to complete the
works and begin trading in a relatively short
timeframe.
“We have a couple of nurseries in newbuild
residential schemes and they are great
settings. Often the core market for these
nurseries comes from the buyers of the flats,
who might be people with young families
or those looking to start a family.”
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The sustainability agenda is another
consideration for property investment.
Weir said: “Minimum Energy Efficiency
Standards require buildings to have an EPC
rating of ‘E’ or better in order to be let. If
this minimum rating is not met, works
must be undertaken to bring the building
up to standard and this is becoming an
increasingly important consideration for
investors.
“The previous Government proposed,
and then scrapped, plans to raise this
threshold to a ‘C’. It is likely the new
Government will explore reviving these
proposals so when we are buying buildings
we look to be forward thinking and think
about futureproofing.”
Other deciding factors when choosing
properties to invest in are parking provision
and outdoor space.
Weir said: “In London parking can be
less of an issue as parents may drop off and
commute on public transport. But, outside
of London and other major cities, parents
want parking for drop-off and pick-up.
“And, when looking at outdoor space,
size is important as you want a space
commensurate with the number of
children.
“We have seen nursery operators spend
a lot of money and effort in making their
outdoor spaces as attractive as possible and,
speaking to operators, they are very proud
of these spaces and look to fully utilise
them.”
LONG LEASES
The long leases afforded on educational
properties is driving increased interest in
the market.
Typically, these are let for 25 years, but
investors will be looking for the longest
lease periods. They will then make sure
the rent is affordable for the area and the
operator.
“There are a number of operators with
ambitious expansion plans and robust
financial backing, but there is a limited
amount of quality stock available to them,”
said Weir.
“Often when a suitable building
comes available to lease, there is strong
competition between operators wishing to
secure it, which is a good signal for investors
as to the future demand for their building.
“However, and as in all cases of a supply/
demand imbalance, this can put upward
pressure on rents. Both investors and
operators must be wary of the property
being overrented.
“This can be exacerbated if the property
is elected for VAT. As nurseries are VAT
exempt, the operators cannot claim this
additional 20% back. Therefore, it is
important to ensure that the rent is sense
checked to ensure it is affordable.
“If we are acquiring a setting with an
established trading history, we generally
look for EBITDAR cover of 1.8-2x as a
measure of this.
“But, as investors, if we do our due
diligence effectively we can ensure the
properties work for the operator and for us.
“Operators undertake thorough due
diligence themselves before making a
decision on a building, and then spend
significant money fitting out, so we take a
lot of confidence from that.
“And, if the operator doesn’t stick around,
we are confident that another will step in.” n
…in all cases of a supply/demand imbalance,
this can put upward pressure on rents. Both
investors and operators must be wary of the
property being overrented
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 19
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 19 25/07/2024 17:15
Finance and Property
Property developers change
tack in challenging market
Property developers have faced continued
uncertainty, stemming from rising costs, high
interest rates, and a challenging economic
environment.
However, despite tough conditions, nearly every
developer has managed to change tack and diversify
their strategy.
Half (49%) of developers are turning towards using
different materials to reduce costs, and the same
number are exploring new areas and regions to build
in. 48% are also planning to build new property types
in order to diversify their developments, and 38%
are planning to invest in new technology, according
to newly-released research from Shawbrook’s
development finance team.
When asked why they are changing their strategies,
nearly a third (31%) of developers are doing so to meet
current demand in the market; 29% are making changes
to expand their business; and the same number are
altering their strategies to improve profit margins.
Thinking about key challenges over the next 12
months, developers cited rising costs as their biggest
concern (26%); followed closely by rising mortgage
rates (25%); and rising material costs.
Why are developers changing their strategies?
31% To meet demand within the market
29% To expand the business
29% To improve profit margins
28% To become more sustainable
28% To improve EPC ratings
28% To make the most of government incentives
28% To reduce overheads
27% To diversify portfolios
26% To improve efficiency
24% To meet government regulations
Terry Woodley, managing director of development finance at Shawbrook, said
of the findings: “Developers have faced an array of challenges and continued
market turbulence over the past year.
“However, our research shows that developers have remained agile and
resilient and have implemented changes to navigate their businesses through
recent uncertainty.
“The fact that a strong proportion of developers are planning to expand their
businesses should provide cause for optimism, and the adaptability already
displayed will be key to diversifying income streams and ensuring strategies are
robust for the year ahead.
“Given that developers listed access to funding as a concern, now could be
an opportune time to partner with a specialist lender who can offer expertise,
support and flexibility throughout a development process.”
Key concerns/challenges over the past 12 months
26% Rising costs of labour
25% Rising mortgage rates
25% Difficulty accessing funding/investment
25% Falling house prices
25% Rising cost of materials
25% New regulations
24% Cost of living impact on buyers
23% Obtaining planning permission
23% ESG/sustainability commitments
22% Lack of government support for UK housebuilding
22% Difficulty accessing labour/talent
18% Lack of government support for first time buyers
The fact that a strong proportion of
developers are planning to expand their
businesses should provide cause for
optimism, and the adaptability already
displayed will be key to diversifying
income streams and ensuring strategies
are robust for the year ahead
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Finance and Property
The evolution of
tenure structures
Jenny Nicol, associate director at Savills, explores how
tenure structures have evolved in recent years in the
children’s day nursery market
There has been a notable
transformation in the ownership
and structure of children’s day
nurseries.
The industry is shifting from small,
single-site, independent operators to
institutionalised organisations that are
increasingly attracting investment.
And, while the market remains
fragmented, groups continue to grow
organically and through consolidation by
embracing leasehold tenure structures.
Ten years ago, leasehold day nurseries
were rare, reserved for the few, often
reflecting ‘pack away’ pre-schools operating
within a church hall, or just for the verylarge
‘super group’ operators.
But the market has evolved, so much
so that it is no longer polarised reflecting
extremes, but for the masses at all levels of
the market.
A modern lease for a day nursery is
typically 20-30 years, with five-yearly
capped and collared index-linked reviews,
and with security of tenure.
LONG LIFECYCLES
These leases provide landlords with longerterm
income, regular predictable reviews,
and a highly-regulated tenant, receiving
Government-backed income and operating
within an industry where there is strong
demand and the opportunity to secure
a client with a long lifecycle of up to five
years.
For operators, leaseholds enable nurseries
to grow at speed. Groups can meet
immediate demand quickly and more easily
‘plug gaps’ within their estates without
having the burden and liability of a freehold
property.
And changes in the planning system
For operators,
leaseholds enable
nurseries to grow at
speed. Groups can
meet immediate
demand quickly
and more easily
‘plug gaps’ within
their estates without
having the burden
and liability of a
freehold property
have permitted entrance into established
commercial leasehold markets, such as retail
and offices.
The opportunity to occupy this
alternative property supply has meant no
choice but to embrace leasehold terms.
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Finance and Property
This has also benefitted landlords, as
while leases for buildings formerly classified
just for A1 or B1 use in planning terms have
shortened and are structured to include
incentives such as tenant breaks, and
rent reviews in line with the market, day
nurseries negotiate their position.
This usually provides landlords with
a more-secure, less-volatile, longer-term
income stream.
STRONG BRANDING
Securing property in affluent locations,
such as London and the South East, on a
freehold basis often means high property
values and competing with developers who
structure bids based on the end use.
Acquiring or taking a leasehold interest
instead can leave a bigger budget for other
business drivers such as the fit-out, interiors,
equipment, and branding.
Having strong branding allows for repeat
business models and the opportunity for
clients to identify with recognisable values,
supporting marketing as competition
increases.
Increased budget also allows for
investment in staff through developing
training academies, head office facilities,
and central management teams, and social
benefits such as mental health initiatives
and community projects.
The lack of financial products and investment
for those without a balanced portfolio can
result in unfavourable terms being offered, or
puts a stop to growth aspirations
We have seen such a growth in leaseholds
that they are now often the preferred
holding structure for many group operators
to enable growth.
And demand is such that multipliers
achieved for operating leasehold businesses
are closing the gap on those realised for
freehold operating concerns.
A WINNING FORMULA?
However, despite this winning formula,
there remain challenges.
Funding is not as readily available to
leasehold businesses within the nursery
sector as it is for alternative markets like
pharmacies and dental practices.
The lack of financial products and
investment for those without a balanced
portfolio can result in unfavourable terms
being offered, or puts a stop to growth
aspirations.
However, this has paved the way for
private equity interest and alternative
options such as working closely with an
investor which would purchase the real
estate and hold the investment.
Leaseholds are also a depreciating asset
where there remains the possibility for
landlords to take back the property for their
own occupation or redevelopment at the
end of the term.
The Government’s expansion of increased
funding for early years continues to fuel
demand for nursery places.
And, while this remains, there will
continue to be demand for new nursery
settings — and often the quickest way to
facilitate growth is through leases. n
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Finance and Property
Huge demand for
independent school sites
A new Christie & Co report reveals an increased appetite for
quality properties for independent SEND school provision
Huge demand continues for
property sites for independent
SEND school provision, according
to a new report from Christie & Co.
The Childcare & Education: Market
Insight Report 2024 begins with an analysis
of leasehold versus freehold childcare and
education business sales.
And it shows that the proportion of
leasehold sales increased in the first six
months of 2024, with the split in H1 2024
sitting at 78% leasehold and 22% freehold,
up from 67% and 33% respectively in 2023.
There are a number of factors which
contributed to this, including an increase in
the number of sellers choosing to retain their
properties and enjoy a rental income stream.
With the cost of capital having increased,
some buyers also prefer to take on a new
lease rather than acquiring the underlying
freehold interest in the property which,
in some locations, would command a
substantial expense.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS —
INTERNATIONAL, DAY, AND
BOARDING
The report states: “During 2024, in the
lead-up to the General Election and off the
back of the Labour Party’s pledge to end the
tax break and charge VAT on school fees,
while there has been activity via mergers
and schools transferring in ownership,
buyers have been incredibly selective in
making acquisitions and the degree of
market activity in the UK has been largely
subdued.
“To a degree, this has mainly been due to
some buyers’ nervousness and uncertainty
around the potential change in UK
Government and what the direct impact of
that will be on independent schools.
“While some may weather the storm,
others will be less fortunate. But, with the
forward-looking outcomes difficult to
ascertain at this stage, buyers have been
cautious.”
In recent years, the makeup of the
independent school sector has changed.
There are around 2,420 independent
schools in the UK, educating 7% (circa
625,000) of all children in the UK, and the
number of independent special schools has
steadily increased, now making up 58% of
the sector compared with 45% in 2019.
With the new Government now in place,
the market is wary as to how the potential
implementation of VAT could change the
current landscape.
The report states: “With rising costs
and an ever-growing competitive market,
buyer appetite is fairly subdued for
operational schools that have seen pupil
numbers decline steadily over recent years,
often resulting in the merging of year
groups, evidencing to buyers that there is
a sign of distress and risk to longer-term
sustainability.
“The market is, however, much more
positive for better-performing independent
schools with large capacities.”
The Independent Schools Council’s
(ISC) annual school census results show an
annual average fee increase of 8% in 2024,
in line with inflation, with the majority
of day schools charging between £3,000-
£6,000 per term.
And over a third of all ISC pupils receive
some type of fee assistance.
The average means-tested bursary was
worth £12,909 per annum, an increase of
9.3% compared with last year, showing
a continuing trend in schools to support
more-disadvantaged families in accessing
high-quality education.
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Finance and Property
While schools are inspected by both the
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
and Ofsted, Ofsted alone judged 75%
of non-associated schools as ‘Good’ or
‘Outstanding’ as of 31 August 2023.
This is the same as 2022, which follows
a period of consistent improvement since
2017, when they judged 68% as ‘Good’ or
‘Outstanding’.
But, since 31 August 2022, 65 schools
that Ofsted had previously inspected have
closed or left the remit.
In market terms, schools with a track
record of positive regulatory outcomes,
and those that evidence having ‘significant
strengths’, as determined by the regulator,
are frequently more appealing to parents
and buyers alike in comparison with schools
with less-favourable inspection outcomes.
“Desirability will impact both parents’
choices and the price that buyers will be
willing to pay,” the report states.
INDEPENDENT SEND
SCHOOLS — DAY AND
RESIDENTIAL PROVISION
In the first six months of 2024, Christie
& Co saw incredibly-high demand from
buyers for properties that would lend
themselves to SEND school provision, with
sales primarily comprising vacant former
preparatory school sites.
Albeit buyers have been keen to look at
a wide range of properties available to be
bought with vacant possession, from former
hotels and care homes, through to former
community assets such as libraries.
Buyers comprise existing operators looking
for growth and new entrants to the market,
keen to set up and supply services in an
attempt to aid in the acute surge in demand
for suitable SEND placements and services.
“The SEND schools sector continues
to grow due to the increasing demand for
suitable settings that support the needs
of children who are unable to access
mainstream education and/or suitable
residential provision,” says the report.
“Local authorities in England continue
to sign up for Safety Valve agreements,
which would see them receive extra funding
from the Government as they agree to
‘manage’ their high-needs SEND funding
requirements in ways that the DfE requires.
“This can include reducing the number
of ‘inappropriate referrals’ and EHCPs
awarded, along with targets to transfer
children with EHCPs into mainstream
schools.
“Some councils are facing legal challenges
over these agreements, with three potential
judicial reviews being commissioned.”
Despite this, the rising demand for SEND
services, which has fuelled heightened
Moving into the second half of the year, we
envisage a degree of market uncertainty
as to how purchasers and vendors react
to the new policies that are expected
of our new Labour government
demand from providers for suitable
properties to convert into SEND spaces,
shows no sign of abating.
The report adds: “Across the market, there
are concerns that the Safety Valve agreements
are putting the education and wellbeing of
children and young people with SEND at
risk.
“SEND advocates hope that the new
Government will prioritise needs by ending
the programme and injecting sufficient
capital so that every child and young person
has the opportunity to access the education
they need.”
THE FUNDING LANDSCAPE
A recent Christie Finance sentiment survey
revealed that 86% of funders/banks surveyed
have a positive outlook for the year ahead.
Christie Finance says that, while many
lenders view the childcare sector as a
worthwhile funding opportunity, their
willingness to support operators is largely
dependent on factors such as occupancy
levels, sustained profitability over an
extended period, and a secure regulatory
framework.
Christie Finance has also witnessed a 50%
increase in funding queries in the last 12
months.
These related to first-time buyers looking
to acquire a setting, experienced operators
looking to buy additional nurseries to expand
their groups, as well as businesses purchasing
assets, completing refits, and fulfilling their
cashflow needs.
“Many groups in the sector have been
looking to expand rapidly across all parts
of the UK, resulting in operators dipping
into cash reserves or looking for alternative
funding options,” said the report.
Commenting on the SEND education
market, Richard Green, director and lead
valuer at Christie & Co, said: “We expect the
positive market trends that we saw in the first
half of 2024 to continue in the second half
of the year, with good levels of buyer demand
as the vital need for children’s services across
the UK remains.”
Commenting on the independent schools
sector, he adds: “The marketplace in the first
half of the year was largely subdued due to
the impending election and the impact that
a new government might have on the VAT
status of independent schools.
“Moving into the second half of the year,
we envisage a degree of market uncertainty
as to how purchasers and vendors react to
the new policies that are expected of our new
Labour government.
“This could impact the market for the next
few years, though it remains to be seen.” n
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Finance and Property Deals
‘Outstanding’ nursery
sold to Bright Stars
Christie & Co has
announced the sale of
The Lighthouse Day Care
Nursery in Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire.
The Lighthouse Day Care
Nursery is an Ofsted-rated
‘Outstanding’ setting with
an excellent reputation for
providing high-quality childcare
to up to 49 children.
It occupies a prime location
in the affluent royal spa town of
Leamington Spa.
The setting has been owned
by Judy Hall for over 20 years
and, following a confidential
sales process with Jassi Sunner
at Christie & Co, it has been
purchased by Bright Stars. This
is the group’s second setting in
the town and its 112th in the UK.
Hall said: “It was a very-difficult
decision to sell my nursery
because I have loved both
creating it and then watching it
grow into the flourishing setting
it has become today.
“It has been an amazing
privilege to watch so many
incredible children develop over
the last 21 years and to get to
know and work with the staff
and parents who made it all
possible.
“There have been many happy
times and funny moments and
it was not easy to decide to step
down. However, the time was
right to make the transition and
I was very pleased to be able
to sell the nursery to the Bright
Stars nursery group because
it is committed to maintaining
the individuality of the setting
and looking after the staff —
both of which were my main
considerations.”
Kirsty Ibbott, M&A director
at Bright Stars, adds: “This
acquisition not only strengthens
our presence in the Midlands
area, but also allows us to offer
unparalleled early childhood
education opportunities to even
more families.
“The Lighthouse Day Care
Nursery will continue to operate
under its current name and
management, ensuring a
seamless transition for children,
parents, and staff.”
The nursery was sold for an
undisclosed price.
Rare opportunity in leafy London borough
Global property consultancy,
Knight Frank, has been
appointed by The Froebel
Trust to bring to market
a rare freehold education
redevelopment or
refurbishment opportunity
in the Royal Borough of
Kensington & Chelsea, for a
price in excess of £2.5m.
The property at 32 St Ann’s
Villas, W11, is a substantial
Grade II-listed building of Tudor
architectural style, previously
used as an independent school
from nursery through secondary
level.
The mid-19th-century building
accommodates classrooms,
kitchen facilities, outside play
areas, and a detached music
block to the rear.
With approximately 3,621sq
ft of interior space along with
outdoor areas, the site spans
0.074 acres and offers potential
for educational re-use or
residential conversion, subject
to obtaining necessary planning
consents.
“Educational assets of this
scale with outdoor play space
are exceptionally difficult to
source in the Holland Park
market,” said Jasper Upton,
associate in Knight Frank’s
education and charities team.
“This represents a rare
opportunity for investors,
developers, or institutional
buyers seeking an education
or residential development
opportunity in one of London’s
most-sought-after boroughs.”
The surrounding Holland Park
area offers an affluent residential
setting with garden squares and
leafy green spaces. The property
also benefits from ease of
access to leisure amenities and
has excellent transport links.
Dr Sacha Powel, chief
executive of Froebel Trust,
said: “We are delighted to have
appointed Knight Frank to bring
our remarkable Grade II-listed
asset at 32 St Ann’s Villas to
market.
“While it is with mixed
emotions that we offer this
cherished site for sale, as our
requirements have evolved we
recognise now is the opportune
time for fresh eyes.
“Our hope is that the
successful buyer will honour the
rich educational legacy here and
continue its use as an institution
of learning.
“However, as the site offers
vast potential for alternative
uses, we remain open-minded.”
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Finance and Property Deals
Education provider relocates
to urban quarter
Global Banking School (GBS),
part of Global Education
(GEDU), has moved into its
new Leeds campus at MEPC’s
urban quarter, Wellington
Place.
The higher education provider
has completed its move from
its previous, smaller base at
St George House Campus to 1
Wellington Place, where it has
taken the entire four-storey
building comprising 26,000sq ft
of space.
GBS delivers vocational,
undergraduate, and
postgraduate programmes
across a range of industries
including finance, accounting,
business, construction, tourism,
and healthcare and has 10
campuses across London,
Manchester, Birmingham, and
Leeds, with its Leeds location
opening in 2022.
It now has a total of over
30,000 students across the UK,
with further campuses in Dubai
and Malta.
GBS says it is relocating to
improve its student experience,
including through higher-quality
learning spaces, better transport
Image: Bevan Cockerill
links, proximity to food and drink
outlets, and inspiring outdoor
spaces.
Previously office space, 1
Wellington Place received
approval for change of use as
a training facility in November
2023.
The new space includes
classrooms with upgraded
technology features including
floor box charging, IT suites and
student support services, and
dining facilities.
James Kennedy, deputy chief
executive of GBS, said: “Studying
in a brand-new, state-of-the-art
facility, located alongside leading
businesses within professional
services, finance, and more,
gives our students unparalleled
collaborative opportunities to
launch their careers to new
heights.
“We are committed to
providing the highest quality of
education to all our students,
regardless of where they choose
to study, so ensuring they all
have access to the best-possible
learning locations right across
the UK is critical.
“This is a prime location, with
links to public transport, car
parking, bike storage, and is
located just off major roads
including the A1, M1 and M62,
making it easier than ever for
our Leeds students to commute
each day.”
Paul Pavia, head of
development at Federated
Hermes MEPC, the developer
and asset manager behind
Wellington Place, added:
“Wellington Place has firmly
established itself as an
outstanding business hub in
Leeds city centre.
“We’re now excited to expand
on this success by being home
to such a well-regarded higher
education provider.
“GBS is helping to develop the
business leaders of the future,
many of which could potentially
remain at Wellington Place
among the leading organisations
based here.”
The agent letting for Wellington
Place was Savills.
Prominent Surrey school site sold
Knight Frank has announced the sale of
the former Belmont School at Holmbury
St Mary, near Dorking, Surrey.
The property was put on the market
in March on behalf of Glen Carter and
Phillip Sykes of RSM UK Restructuring
Advisory LLP, who were appointed
joint administrators of Belmont School
(Feldemore) Educational Trust Ltd.
For the last 70 years, the school has operated
as a co-educational day and boarding school
with a nursery, prep, and senior school.
And it will continue its legacy as an
education provider as Cavendish Education
has purchased the asset after it was
marketed for a guide price of £7m.
The buyer plans to open a new school on
the site, marking its first establishment in
Surrey.
This addition will bring Cavendish
Education’s portfolio to 16 schools,
with existing locations across
London, Hampshire, Kent, Berkshire,
Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, and the
East Midlands.
The new school will cater specifically
for neurodiverse children and young
people, addressing a growing need in the
education sector.
Simon Coles, chief executive of Cavendish
Education, said: “We are absolutely
delighted to have acquired this fantastic
school site and can’t wait to share our
plans with everyone.
“The demand for more schools like ours
is growing, and we are excited to open
a specialist independent provision here,
meaning we can do more for even more
young people who may have previously
struggled in the mainstream system but
could thrive with a different approach.”
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Finance and Property Deals
Family-owned nursery
sold for the first time
Family-owned Kingsmead Day Nursery
in Winchester, Hampshire, has been sold
to national operator, Grandir UK, for an
undisclosed sum.
Established in 1989 by Helen Gaskell, the
nursery has steadily grown to become a
fundamental part of its local community.
Gaskell started the nursery when she had
her own children, Emily and Chris, who,
now grown up, have worked alongside her
to make the nursery the success it is today.
At any one time, the nursery takes up
to 57 children and has been recognised
for providing quality provision through a
platinum #justquality award.
It is conveniently located in the centre
of Winchester, next to a large car park,
making it the ideal option for local and
commuting parents.
Gaskell recently decided to sell to retire
from the sector and Emily and Chris plan
to focus on other interests and careers
outside of the sector.
Following a confidential sales process
with Sophie Willcox at Christie & Co, the
nursery has been purchased by Grandir
UK, taking the group to 83 settings across
England.
Lydia Hopper, chief executive of Grandir
UK, said: “The nursery has enjoyed an
excellent reputation in Winchester and
we are looking forward to continuing to
provide an environment where the children,
families, and nursery team can learn, grow,
and thrive together.”
Willcox added: “Kingsmead is a unique,
special nursery.
“Helen and Emily’s passion shone through
at our first meeting, and I was not surprised
to be inundated with interest from a variety
of buyers so quickly.
“We went under offer within two weeks of
marketing the setting and were in receipt of
multiple offers during that time.
“The quality of provision, strong team, and
a well-maintained asset were attractive for
many buyers and I am glad to have found
the right party to carry on their legacy.”
Chalk Nursery Group takes over five settings
Christie & Co has announced
the sale of Katey’s Nursery &
Pre-School, a prime group of
five childcare settings in south
west London.
Originally set up in 2010, the
group has gone from strength
to strength and now provides
the highest level of childcare
to over 273 children across
five settings that are located in
Kingston, Ham, Hampton Court,
Teddington, and Brentford.
Following a confidential sales
process with Nick Brown and
Sophie Willcox at Christie & Co,
the group has been purchased
by Chalk Nursery Group which
is backed by Downing LLP.
Katey’s will act as the
cornerstone investment of Chalk
Nursery Group, with a vision to
provide a high-quality, caring,
family-orientated environment,
while focusing on delivering the
best outcomes for every child.
Sinead Johnson, chief
executive of Chalk Nursery
Group, said: “I am proud to have
joined Chalk Nursery Group,
and to have made our first
acquisition.
“Katey’s Nursery and
Preschool embodies our
vision of high-quality care and
education, delivering the very
best outcomes for children.
“The early years sector is
well placed to thrive with
the continuing cross-party
support and recognition of its
educational and social benefits
for children and I am excited
to be working with Downing
to provide additional nursery
places for more children as we
grow the group.”
Katey’s Nursery & Pre-School
was sold for an undisclosed
price.
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Building Design
The Learning Tree Nursery, Romford. Image: Delve Architects/Fred Howarth
How difficult
commercial spaces
can be utilised for
‘dynamic’ nurseries
Delve director and co-founder, Alex Raher, discusses the
untapped potential of transforming empty commercial
spaces into early years educational settings
In England we have one of the highest
childcare costs in Europe — putting
immense pressure on working parents to
decide whether it is affordable to return to
work or juggle childcare themselves.
In addition to this, most local councils
are worried about their ability to cater for
future demand.
Earlier this June Labour pledged 3,000
new nurseries for the UK, a welcome target
as we desperately need more nurseries to
accommodate an ever-growing demand.
But, in order to deliver these new
spaces in the most-cost-effective and
environmentally-friendly way — we
should look to retrofit existing commercial
buildings into beautiful, fun nurseries for
families, communities, and children.
RETAIN AND RE-USE
In an effort to reduce the environmental
impact of construction, retrofit is now being
The Nest Nursery, east London.
Image: Delve Architects/Fred Howarth
As an architect, designing nurseries is a joy and a privilege, with creative
freedom to test, explore, and create educational spaces that might be
too unconventional or awkward for other commercial businesses
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Building Design
Grimsbury Manor Nursery
pursued as the first option above the 20thcentury
model of demolish and rebuild.
Although this can be complicated for
housing, the dynamic nature of how
a nursery operates can lead to myriad
different spaces being utilised.
A nursery can have split levels and
mezzanines or make clever use of nooks and
crannies and dropped ceilings, with giant
joinery, climbing areas, and even soft tactile
spaces for active play.
The ‘shell building’ needs basic services
(M&E, ventilation, cooking space, and
toilets) and the interior fit-out doesn’t have
to be overly expensive.
A simple, child-led and tactile approach
works best — using natural, sustainable
materials and a subtle approach to colour
and acoustics to create nurturing, not loud,
spaces.
While not all nurseries have access to
direct external space, it is always possible
to consider light, greenery, and natural
materials in the design.
THE DRIVING FORCE
As an architect, designing nurseries is a
joy and a privilege, with creative freedom
to test, explore, and create educational
spaces that might be too unconventional or
awkward for other commercial businesses.
We started working in this sector after
retrofitting a former doctors’ surgery
into a thriving nursery in west London
and have since developed our passion for
using design to help new nurseries open or
expand their businesses.
We also have first-hand experience of
finding childcare space with our own
families, which gives us empathy and a
deeper understanding of the industry.
The driving force at the heart of a nursery
is the teachers — the incredible people
who are responsible for our children’s early
education — and the role they play must
not be underestimated.
We must also emphasise early years
education is not ‘childcare’; it is the first
step of the educational path; a critical few
years where important motor and mental
skills are catalysed.
Our design approach is to create spaces
that nurture, embrace, and capture the
bright imaginations of young people.
As a practice, we realised we could offer
our skills to look at unlocking the potential
of unusual sites across urban, suburban, and
rural areas, and often conduct feasibility
studies to assess the viability of a site for an
acquisition or development.
One of our recent projects was the
transformation of a former industrial
warehouse, The Learning Tree, in Romford,
east London, with a light, spacious, and
sustainably-driven fit-out to create a
120-place nursery.
The building is a success, not just with its
local community, but also earning a coveted
award from the Royal Institute of British
Architects in May 2024.
Examples from other practices show
how a simple design approach and creative
thinking can transform existing buildings or
re-purpose existing nursery sites.
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 31
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Building Design
Grimsbury Manor Nursery
There is untapped potential to consider a nationwide retrofit strategy to
transform under-used and poorly-performing commercial, residential, or
retail spaces into nurseries
Ilys Booker Centre was re-purposed this
year by Perkins&Will, providing a muchneeded
new nursery that was previously in
the basement of Grenfell Tower prior to the
2017 fire.
Focusing on light and nature, the
designers have managed to create a dynamic
space in a tight urban environment, which
provides much better connection to the
outside space.
It is an example of a simple approach
to a nursery setting shaped by focusing
outwards, using natural materials, and
through extensive consultation with the
local community.
Nature frames the outside views and little
touches of art and colour connect the inside
and outside.
In addition, Studio Egret West took the
existing shell of the Park Hill development
in Sheffield, to deliver a clever, compact
nursery along a long rectangular footprint,
installing playful joinery and exposing
the concrete structure as part of the
conservation approach.
And Alma-nac converted a grand
Victorian house in Herne Hill, south
east London, into a bustling new nursery,
retaining the ‘residential’ feel of the
building, but filling it with fun spaces for
young minds to explore.
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
When we look at empty commercial spaces,
why not consider them for early-years
educational provision?
Empty retail units could be reprovisioned
as they have a simple entrance/
exit arrangement that allows for careful
management and safeguarding.
Natural light is a key factor, so points
to consider would be the ability for
dual-aspect or double-height spaces, with
rooflights to bring light down.
There is untapped potential to consider
a nationwide retrofit strategy to transform
under-used and poorly-performing
commercial, residential, or retail spaces into
nurseries.
The demand is there; and we need a call
to action as an industry to shake things up
and move this forward.
If a developer can zero-rate VAT on
a building by demolishing rather than
retaining the existing fabric — why can
we not consider zero-rate VAT for deep
retrofit?
Retrofit works for educational spaces and
is our best approach to delivering nurseries
that communities across the UK need. n
32 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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Building Design
Bedroom
Nelson Place
Kitchen
Dining room
Games snug
Mezzanine lounge
Reimagining student living
We look at how the completion of a new PBSA building in
Belfast is helping to set a precedent for higher education living
A
new purpose-built student
accommodation (PBSA) unit has
opened in Belfast, marking a fresh
approach to the design of higher education
facilities.
Student Roost has announced completion
of Nelson Place, a 12-storey development
situated close to Ulster University.
Constructed by GRAHAM and designed
by Fletcher Joseph Associates, the building
provides 774 en-suite and studio rooms
and is also home to Ulster University’s new,
state-of-the-art sports centre and wellbeing
facilities, including a spin studio, a gym with
the latest TechnoGym machines, a dedicated
cardio mezzanine, weights section, rooftop
running track, and a 600sq m four-court
badminton hall, which can also be used for
basketball and netball.
Students have free access to the sporting
hub throughout their tenancy and the
rooftop running track will also be used to
host wellbeing events such as sunrise yoga
and lunchtime and after-class circuits led
by Ulster University’s world-class team of
sporting experts.
Communal spaces include a sky lounge
with panoramic views across Belfast, a
cinema room, a bookable hosting kitchen
for dinner parties, study rooms, and a games
room.
Located just across the road from Ulster
University, Nelson Place is Student Roost’s
fifth property in the capital and positions
students studying at any Belfast university in
the heart of the city centre.
Anna Killough, regional operations
manager for Belfast at Student Roost,
said: “We’re so pleased to have completed
on Nelson Place, the largest student
accommodation building in Belfast, which
completes our student quarter in the city.
“Redefining what student living can be,
Nelson Place is setting a new standard for
the PBSA sector through its high-quality
design, sports centre, 24/7 team members,
and a focus on resident wellbeing.
“All of the property’s features have been
carefully curated to fundamentally support
students’ physical and mental wellbeing,
setting them up for success personally and
academically.”
Gary Holmes, regional managing director
for GRAHAM’s Building North region,
added: “Working collaboratively with
project partners, the team have delivered an
impressive development.
“It will be a fantastic living and social
environment for the students with
wellness at its centre, but will also play a
significant role in bridging the gap between
supply and demand in Belfast for student
accommodation.”
The design approach was informed by the
three themes of awareness, flexibility, and
participation.
A spokesman for Fletcher Joseph
Associates said: “Nelson Place provides
market-leading accommodation with a
unique offer of facilities that promote
student wellbeing and encourage
engagement with a wider ‘active’ campus.
“Adopting the three themes informed
our design solution in several ways,
primarily in the organisation of the spaces
and incorporation of visual connections
between key activity areas as smaller activity
zones overlap with break-out and social
areas to encourage active hang-outs while
participating in different activities.
“And the series of accommodation
blocks are oriented around a south-facing
courtyard. This makes full use of, and
expands, the amenity offer for both residents
and the wider student community by
keying into Ulster University’s new campus
adjacent to the site.” n
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 33
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Building Design
Alfreton Park Community
Special School. Image: Kilian o’Sullivan
Homerton College. Image: Jim Stephenson
Thames Christian School and
Battersea Chapel. Image: Nick Kane
Making a mark on the
next generation
Education design strategies come under the spotlight in the 2024 RIBA Awards
Alfreton Park Community Special School
Three education design schemes have
been singled out as among the best
architectural projects in the country
in the RIBA National Awards 2024.
The annual competition highlights
buildings across the UK which make
significant contributions to architecture.
And the winners for 2024, announced on
11 July, include the new Alfreton
Park Community Special School in
Derbyshire; the dining hall at Homerton
College, Cambridge; and Thames Christian
School and Battersea Chapel in south
London.
Designed by Curl la Tourelle Head
Architecture and built by Henry Brothers;
the £13.2m Alfreton Park Community
Special School comprises four looselyarranged
buildings nestled against the brow
of the hill.
Two teaching wings have classrooms
facing the open countryside and ancillary
breakout and specialist rooms on the
northern side.
The main communal hall sits on the
more-public side of the school, opening
out onto a semi-enclosed courtyard, and
its overhanging roof provides shelter
to children arriving to start their day.
Completing the arrangement is a discreet
reception and staff building.
The RIBA judges said: “On first arrival
at this school on the outskirts of Alfreton
in Derbyshire, it is evident that it has
been carefully crafted, both internally and
externally, to address the children’s and
teachers’ needs.
“The architects have responded to
the brief with both playfulness and
architectural quality while meeting the
stringent technical requirements of the
county council client and the building’s
users.”
The project team also included PFB
Construction, Price & Myers LLP, Method
Consulting, and Faithful & Gould.
Also making the 2024 winners list was
the new dining hall at Homerton College
in Cambridge, designed by Feilden Fowles
Architects and developed by Barnes
Construction.
The judges said of the entry: “What
architects Feilden Fowles has captured so
well in its new dining hall is a compelling
Image: Kilian o’Sullivan
Image: Kilian o’Sullivan
Image: Curl La Tourelle Head Architecture
Image: Kilian o’Sullivan
Image: Kilian o’Sullivan
34 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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Building Design
Homerton College
Image: David Grandorge
Image: Jim Stephenson
Image: Jim Stephenson
Image: Jim Stephenson
vision of what the new college could be;
speaking to the past, present, and future of
this unusual institution.
“While drawing inspiration from the
materials and details of the college’s early
20th-century arts and crafts buildings,
the dining hall subverts the character of
traditional collegiate spaces.
“Open to the landscape, rather than
enclosed; light-filled, rather than dark,
it is suggestive of the egalitarian, diverse
community the college seeks to build, and
has become the focal point in the college’s
social and cultural life.
“Externally, its highly-distinctive,
sculptural form has succeeded in providing
the ‘emblematic centrepiece’ the college
sought as a symbol of its free-thinking
character and bold social ambitions.”
The project team also included Ingleton
Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel
Wood Martindales, Structure Workshop,
Max Fordham, Peter Dann, Bremner
Partnership, SEED, and Hortus Collective.
The third successful entrant was the
Henley Halebrown-designed Thames
Christian School and Battersea Chapel, a
massive, brick cuboid which sits on the edge
of South London’s Winstanley Estate.
Located beside large inner-city housing
blocks and the Clapham Junction railway
tracks, the new building is described as
‘enigmatic’ and ‘both part of the city yet
apart from it’.
The judges said: “Responding to the brief
of school and chapel, the architects have
created a fascinating typology in which each
contributes to the overall form yet operates
separately, each façade playing its part.”
The school is entered from the south via
a modest courtyard, while to the east the
chapel façade breaks out from the building
line above onto a small park in a beautiful
play of forms.
And deep courtyards enable naturallyventilated
dual-aspect classrooms,
enhancing the wellbeing of the school’s 400
students, almost half of whom have special
educational needs.
The contractor for the project was
Midgard, with the project team also
included HLM Architects, HTA Design,
Pell Frischmann, Desco, Montagu Evans,
Farrer Huxley, AF Acoustics, MLM Group,
and Martin Arnold.
All three entries will now join other
national winners to be considered for
the highly-coveted RIBA Stirling Prize
for the best building project of the year
in recognition of their architectural
excellence. n
Image: Nick Kane
Image: Nick Kane
Image: David Grandorge
Image: Nick Kane
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 35
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Construction
Shoots of light for
education construction
The latest Glenigan Construction Review
reveals education project starts on site
have risen in the last quarter after a
challenging few months for the sector
Education: Detailed Planning Approvals
Source: Glenigan
Three month average
Over £100M
Under £100M
£million
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jun 22 Aug 22 Oct 22 Dec 22 Feb 23 Apr 23 Jun 23 Aug 23 Oct 23 Dec 23 Feb 24 Apr 24
Education: Main Contract Awards
The education construction industry continues to face
challenges with main contract awards and detailed planning
approvals declining against both the previous quarter and
last year, but project starts growing on the preceding three months
and a year ago.
According to Glenigan’s June Construction Review, totalling
£1,36bn, education work starting on site grew 3% on the preceding
three months to stand 14% up on the previous year.
No major projects (£100m or more) started during the period,
a decrease from the preceding quarter, but unchanged from a
year ago.
And underlying education work starting on site (less than £100m
in value) increased 35% against the preceding three months on a
seasonally-adjusted (SA) basis and was 14% up on a year ago.
Education main contract awards decreased 18% against the
preceding three months to total £980m, with the value remaining
40% lower than the previous year; while underlying contract
awards decreased 28% (SA) against the preceding three months
and by 40% against the previous year.
No major projects reached the contract awarded stage,
unchanged on the preceding three months and the previous year.
Totalling £1.2bn, detailed planning approvals fell 7% against the
preceding three months and last year.
However, major project approvals totalled £120m, an increase
on both the previous quarter and last year when no major projects
were approved.
Underlying project approvals fell 13% (SA) against the previous
three months to stand 17% down against last year, totalling
£1.08bn.
TYPES OF PROJECTS
School project starts totalled £1bn during the three months to May
and accounted for the largest share of education construction starts
(74%), having grown 48% on the previous year.
Universities, on the other hand, fell 32% against last year to total
£167m, accounting for 12% of the total value.
Source: Glenigan
Three month average
Over £100M
Under £100M
Education: Starts
Source: Glenigan
Three month average
Over £100M
Under £100M
£million
£million
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jun 22 Aug 22 Oct 22 Dec 22 Feb 23 Apr 23 Jun 23 Aug 23 Oct 23 Dec 23 Feb 24 Apr 24
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jun 22 Aug 22 Oct 22 Dec 22 Feb 23 Apr 23 Jun 23 Aug 23 Oct 23 Dec 23 Feb 24 Apr 24
And college project starts also experienced a weak period, with
the value having fallen 3% against the previous year to total £135m,
accounting for an 10% share of education work starting on site.
REGIONAL VARIATION
London was the most-active region for education project starts
during the three months to May, accounting for a 25% share of the
sector to total £337m, having increased 131% on last year’s levels.
Growth in the capital was accelerated by the commencement of
the £74m Downderry Primary School development in Lewisham.
Yorkshire & the Humber accounted for 16% of starts in the
sector and tripled against the previous year to total £219m.
The South East was the most-active region for detailed planning
approvals in the education sector, accounting for a 21% share, with
the value having grown 69% on a year ago to total £251m.
KEY PLAYERS
The report also provides details of the leading clients and
contractors in the sector, with the Department for Education
topping the client table, with 185 projects worth £896m, followed
by Kier with six projects worth £129m.
The top contractors were Royal Bam (15 projects worth £575m)
and Kier with 23 projects worth £466m. n
36 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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Inside issue 01, February-March 2024
• Best practice in the design of educational
facilities
• Investing in the next generation of schools,
colleges, and nurseries
• Meeting the net-zero carbon challenge
• Driving efficiency in the education estate
• Market and industry insight
Inside issue 02, April-May 2024
• Special report on the design of purposebuilt
student accommodation
• How modern methods of construction are
creating a new generation of educational
buildings
• Guidance supports estates professionals to
get the most from their sites
Inside issue 03, June-July 2024
• Special report on the latest acoustic
treatments to address noise pollution in
schools
• Study reveals the impact of lighting on
children with special educational needs
• Nurseries launch petition to force
government to axe business rates levy
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 37 25/07/2024 17:15
Estates and Facilities Management
Schoo
Technology offers a security
blanket for schools
Security is key for educational establishments. In this
article Jo Makosinski looks at the challenges and the
solutions available to address them
Educational institutions, from primary
schools to prestigious universities, are
treasured environments for learning
and growth.
On the other hand, they are also
vulnerable to crime and anti-social
behaviour and, as such, security is a key
priority for estates managers and those in
charge of security.
Pro-active security measures vary from
site to site, but primarily fall into three
categories — CCTV surveillance, access
control, and observation/warning systems.
Chris Clifton of Safeguard Systems
explains: “Unauthorised access is an issue
for schools — people walking off the street
or delivery drivers turning up and letting
themselves in. Also, there are rooms within
schools which only certain staff members
should have access to, for example where
cash or valuable equipment is kept.
“In this case we would typically see the
installation of intercom systems and door
or gate controls at key entry points or in
reception areas.
“To protect sensitive areas, and to manage
staff access in and around the school, we
would deploy key fob or keypad door entry
systems.”
Teachers do not go to work to get attacked by children, so while having
CCTV cameras in classrooms may feel like a breach of privacy, they are
critical as both a deterrent and to gather evidence in the event of an issue
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Estates and Facilities Management
School corridor surveillance
ACCESS CONTROL
The main types of access control systems for
schools are:
• Key fob and car door entry systems:
For receptions, the school gate, and
internal access
• Video and audio intercoms: In
reception, at the school gate, and internal
access points
• ANPR cameras: At the school gate and
external entry points
• Keypad access: For restricted areas and
car parks
The second area schools must consider is
detecting and dealing with external and
internal threats.
As mentioned above, CCTV surveillance
and observation and warning solutions,
such as lookdown systems, cover this area of
security.
Clifton said: “There are lots of threats
facing schools, in some areas more than
others, such as inner city schools.
“If a school thinks an intruder might be
carrying a weapon, such as a knife, lockdown
systems are an effective solution.
“Lock-down systems are linked to the
main access control systems and staff can
sound an alarm, and lock all exertional
doors for the school. Furthermore, a siren
will act as a means to deter the intruder
from carrying out any attack.
“There is also a growing issue with
children assaulting teachers. Teachers do
not go to work to get attacked by children,
so while having CCTV cameras in
classrooms may feel like a breach of privacy,
they are critical as both a deterrent and to
gather evidence in the event of an issue.”
Pano vu cameras can offer protection in larger spaces
schools to deter attacks on staff or pupils or
other criminal behaviour.
And this has sparked controversy as
cameras are placed in areas such as toilets
and changing rooms.
Clifton said: “I think there’s a balance
between physical privacy that any child
should have and has a right to have — if you
are spending a penny, you don’t want to think
someone is watching you — but also it is
important to deter and gather evidence of any
bullying or illegal activity, which is a particular
problem in these more-private areas.
“I would like to think that any parent
who puts their child’s physical and mental
safety at the forefront would not have
an issue with a discreetly-placed camera
covering areas of a toilet where people’s
physical privacy is not being compromised.
“The reality is also that in some schools,
13 and 14 year olds, some even younger,
are taking hard drugs and educational
establishments need to use security
solutions to help address and deter this.”
CHOOSE WISELY
When specifying CCTV cameras for
education settings, there are a number of
different systems to consider. These include:
• CCTV monitoring: CCTV
monitoring, also known as monitored
CCTV, is a robust, cost-effective form
of security. It works by fitting security
cameras with sensors. When triggered,
an alarm is raised and an offsite security
team will receive this alert. They then
review the footage and, if they detect a
security threat, the right authorities will
deal with it. This is the perfect solution
for schools which may be targeted by
criminals outside of school hours or
during holidays
• Internal and external IP CCTV
cameras: These offer high-resolution,
scalable security solutions that help
deal with a range of threats. IP CCTV
systems, otherwise known as network
security camera systems, are suitable for
internal and external school surveillance
A GROWING THREAT
In fact, according to a poll by the
NASUWT teaching union in 2023, 13%
of teachers said they had been physically
assaulted by a pupil and 48% said they do
not feel that their school’s behaviour policy
is effective and fit for purpose.
With this in mind, CCTV cameras are
becoming increasingly commonplace in
Surveillance cameras are
increasingly being used in schools
Site surveys help to find key
areas for security solutions
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 39
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Estates and Facilities Management
Door controls and intercoms can
prevent unauthorised access
• Perimeter surveillance: Perimeter
CCTV systems help schools to protect
their site from external threats. Intruders
and thieves will often scour a perimeter
for vulnerabilities. Additionally, gaps in
fencing and easily-scalable walls supply
easy access to criminals. These advanced
CCTV surveillance systems help protect
a school’s perimeter and can seamlessly be
deployed within a remotely-monitored
security system
• ANPR CCTV: Vehicle number plate
tracking systems can be used as a form of
access control as well as detecting known
suspicious vehicles. ANPR CCTV
camera systems can also be used to spot
cars exceeding the speed limit in the car
park. Worse still, sex offenders often
patrol in and around the school gates
and if any of concern are spotted, the car
registration can be stored in a database.
When spotted, an alert can then be
raised for the school’s security team to
deal with
• Thermal CCTV: These systems offer
advanced intruder and threat detection.
Thermal CCTV systems are effective
after dark and can form part of a welldesigned
perimeter protection system.
Thermal CCTV cameras systems can
also be deployed internally to track the
movements of intruders if they gain
access to the building
Offering advice to specifiers, Clifton
said: “Schools are not dripping with money
and they have finite budgets so they need
to pinpoint what the threats are and the
likelihood of these taking place balanced
against the budget they have got available
for security.
EXPERT ADVICE
“It’s about having a clear idea of threats and
objectives, so it is important for a school to
choose a security company that has a proven
track record in dealing with, and working
in, schools so that the system design process
can be shorter.
“We recently surveyed a school site and
managed to trim 20-30% from the cost of
the system as during the survey we noticed
they had a lot of security lights mounted
on existing poles. As a result, we could fit
cameras to them, thus negating the need
for the school to invest in further specialist
CCTV poles. Furthermore, the cameras
were linked via wireless bridges, so we
did not have to dig up the carpark to run
cabling across the site.”
Clifton goes on to comment on the
benefits of dealing with a specialist school
security company.
“Dealing with a specialist school security
company, and one that will come out
and do a thorough site survey, is vital in
ensuring the best-possible security system
is fitted and one that is within budget. As
experts in school security we understand
the challenges faced, and can easily
recommend appropriate systems.”
A recent project Safeguard Systems has
been involved with in the education sector
is the upgrade of CCTV infrastructure at a
Wiltshire college.
After an exhaustive site evaluation,
Hikvision PanoVu cameras were installed
to reduce cabling and camera count;
while DeepInView ANPR cameras were
recommended to address car park entry
issues, and Hikvision DarkFighter bullet
cameras were specified to safeguard the
sports centre.
Additionally, Safeguard Systems
has recently designed and deployed a
range of other solutions covering lockdown
systems, door access control ,and
a whole range of CCTV surveillance
installations for comprehensive,
public, and private schools. n
Dealing with a specialist school security
company, and one that will come out and do
a thorough site survey, is vital to ensuring the
best-possible security system is fitted and one
that is within budget
40 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 40 25/07/2024 17:15
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Estates and Facilities Management
Integrated Fencing installed security fencing
at Cefn Saeson Secondary School in Wales
as part of a Secure by Design project
Five ways to keep schools
secure over summer
We look at ways to protect schools and other educational establishments
from theft and vandalism over the long summer break
It is not just in term time that schools
need security. With the summer
holidays beginning, educational
facilities across the UK are shutting
down for an extended period, leaving
them particularly vulnerable to theft and
vandalism.
Hywel Davies, construction director and
co-owner of Integrated Fencing, explains:
“While students and staff enjoy their welldeserved
break, schools can become targets
for theft and vandalism, with 2023 figures
showing that crime costs schools £26,575
per year — more than double the previous
year.
“With thousands of pounds worth of
equipment inside and no one around for six
weeks, it is easy to see why criminals would
plan to break in.
“It is essential that all schools implement
these measures, particularly those more at
risk in high-crime areas, to ensure they are
protecting the grounds and doing as much
as possible to deter thieves, avoiding lengthy
insurance claims and costs incurred from
criminal damage.”
To support estates managers, he has put
together his top five tips for preventing
these costly crimes from happening while
premises are empty for long periods of time.
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Estates and Facilities Management
security systems to ensure they are
operational throughout the summer.
4. SECURE ALL WINDOWS
AND DOORS
Checking all windows and doors on the
premises are secure before the school
closes for summer is imperative, as well
as installing high-quality locks on all
doors and windows, and where necessary,
reinforcing them with security bars or
grilles.
For added protection, apply shatterproof
film to windows, making it difficult for
intruders to gain entry by breaking the
glass.
And regularly inspect locks and repair
any that show signs of wear or damage.
1. INSTALL HIGH-QUALITY
FENCING
Installing a sturdy, reliable fence is one of
the most-effective ways to protect your
school.
Schools in high-crime areas are often
more vulnerable to break-ins, making it
crucial to invest in heavy-duty steel fencing
with anti-climb features.
In contrast, schools in safer areas might
opt for standard steel fencing, which still
provides a strong deterrent.
Steel fencing requires minimal
maintenance, primarily consisting of regular
cleaning to remove dirt and prevent rust.
Gates, however, must comply with Gate
Safety Regulations. Specifiers should look
for comprehensive maintenance packages
for both automatic and manual gates,
ensuring they remain secure and functional.
2. LOCK UP COMPUTERS
AND OTHER VALUABLE
EQUIPMENT
Schools are often equipped with valuable
technology and equipment, making them
prime targets for thieves.
Ensure all computers, tablets, and other
electronic devices are securely locked away
in storage rooms or cabinets with strong
locks.
Additionally, keep an inventory of all
valuable items and consider marking them
with your school’s identification to deter
theft and aid recovery if stolen.
3. SET UP CCTV AND ALARM
SYSTEMS
Investing in a robust CCTV and alarm
system can significantly enhance your
school’s security.
CCTV cameras act as a deterrent and
provide crucial evidence if a break-in
occurs.
Position cameras at all entry points,
hallways, and common areas and integrate
systems with motion detectors and alarms
to alert local authorities immediately if an
intrusion is detected.
Regularly check and maintain your
5. SECURE THE GROUNDS
As strange as it sounds, well-maintained
school grounds can potentially deter
criminal activity.
Overgrown bushes and trees can provide
cover for thieves, so ensure that the
landscaping is kept tidy and trimmed.
Installing adequate lighting around the
school perimeter and entrances can also
discourage intruders and motion-activated
lights are an excellent option, as they can
startle potential thieves and draw attention
to their presence. n
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 43
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Environmental
Building a sustainable future
While the green agenda remains at the forefront of the education sector’s approach to property
development and estates management, a new report reveals the number of schemes with
sustainability targets is decreasing in the sector
The NBS’s Sustainable Futures Report
2024, published in conjunction
with RIBA and Glenigan,
surveyed 568 suppliers, clients, architects,
engineers, and consultants to determine
the importance of sustainability in the
construction sector.
And it revealed that there has been a
‘notable reduction’ in projects which have
been granted planning permission or have
started on site which have BREEAM
sustainability targets.
And the health and education sectors
have been particularly hard hit due to the
squeeze on public finances in recent years.
David Bain, research manager at NBS,
said: “The need to achieve environmental
sustainability, in particular addressing
climate change, is arguably the mostpressing
challenge of our time.
“While there remain some who continue
to doubt the human impact on climate
change, the vast majority recognise it, and
the evidence plays out for all to see.
“There has been significant effort to
address the challenge and progress has been
made, but not fast enough.”
On a more-positive note for the
education sector, the specification of
renewable energy and heat pumps has been
more widespread. Almost two-thirds (64%)
of new-build education projects approved
this year include renewables and 36%
involve heat pumps.
The report found that all types of
sustainability are considered important
by the majority of respondents, with
environmental sustainability most
‘important’ to 90% of people.
And eight out of 10 believe social
sustainability and economic sustainability
are also ‘important’.
Respondents were also asked how
often their projects in the last year had
sustainability targets.
Only 16% said ‘all the time’, 33% ‘most
of the time’, 27% ‘some of the time’, 13%
‘rarely’, and 12% ‘never’.
The report states: “Once those who don’t
know are removed, we find that almost nine
out of 10 respondents worked on projects
with sustainable outcome targets.
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Environmental
“All of these numbers are higher than in
2021, when seven out of 10 respondents
had sustainable outcome targets.
“Clients were most likely to say their
projects had sustainable outcome targets,
with 97% stating this. Larger organisations
are also more likely, with 61% saying that
they had sustainable outcome targets most,
or all, of the time.”
The picture is more positive with respect
to net zero, however.
Almost two thirds (64%) said they
worked on a net zero project, compared to
just under half in 2021.
But the proportion of projects where this
is routine is still in the minority, with only
15% of respondents stating they worked on
net zero projects most, or all, of the time.
The researchers also looked at operational
efficiencies, asking if projects involved
taking sustainability measurements while
the asset is in use. Almost three-quarters
(72%) said they did, with a quarter saying
that their projects included measurements
most, or all, of the time, and the larger the
organisation, the more likely their projects
involve this.
But the report states: “This increase is
encouraging, and one might conclude
that this is a result of the increased focus
on sustainable outcomes, strengthening
of legislation, and availability of moresustainable
products.
“However, over the longer term the
results aren’t so positive — coming almost
back into line with 2012 and 2014, when
over half said that their projects were
usually, or always, sustainable.
“This might not necessarily mean we are
less sustainable than we were then.
“One possible explanation is that people
now better understand what sustainability
looks like, so what might have been thought
sustainable 10 years ago might not be now.”
And, when it comes to barriers to
sustainability, respondents cited cost as
the biggest hurdle, with 63% citing this,
To enable designers and specifiers to make
effective decisions in order to achieve these
outcomes, sustainability would need to have
been part of the strategy and briefing process
at the beginning — to create clear objectives,
define the brief, and set an appropriate budget
compared to only 51% in 2021.
Material price inflation has been
extremely high for many products, and this
has only started to come down in the last
few months.
“While this has affected products
that might not be deemed sustainable,
the overall pressure on project budgets
and margins may well have led to people
making decisions that are as cost effective
and simple as possible — rather than
researching lesser-known alternatives,
which might be more sustainable,” the
report states.
The next three barriers are lack of client
demand; sustainable products being value
engineered out; and ‘lack of government
policy/regulation’.
Project clients, investors, and financiers
remain most influential on whether
sustainability is a focus on projects.
After these, consultants and designers
are seen as most influential, but whether
their sustainable design options are taken
forward will depend on the client.
Contractors, suppliers, and
manufacturers are seen as less influential,
but do play an important role when
suggesting more-sustainable solutions and
products.
To ensure the sector stays on track, the
report calls for sustainability to be included
in project strategies and briefings from the
get-go.
It states: “To enable designers and
specifiers to make effective decisions
in order to achieve these outcomes,
sustainability would need to have been
part of the strategy and briefing process at
the beginning — to create clear objectives,
define the brief, and set an appropriate
budget.
“Survey responses suggest that there
remains a gap at this early stage, with 62%
stating that sustainability is considered as
part of the strategy and brief; 84% believe
it should be considered at this time, more
than at any other stage.
“The strategy and brief stage appears to
be where there is the largest gap between
actual and ideal behaviour.
“However, survey responses also indicate
that sustainability isn’t being considered
enough during construction and when the
asset is in use.
“This pattern of response is similar to
2021, where responses suggested that
sustainability was considered most during
the design stages and not enough during the
other project stages.” n
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 45
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Environmental
More than 1.2 million students live in rented accommodation or halls of residence,
and many face rising heating costs and problems with damp and mould
Heating halls: How universities
can offer safe and sustainable
student housing
Oliver Baker, chief executive of Ambion Heating,
speaks to Education Property about how low-carbon
heating is the key to providing affordable, safe,
and sustainable accommodation for students
Student housing has evolved
significantly over the past 50 years,
from basic living quarters converted
from office blocks and hotels to small-scale
villages with amenities tailored specifically
for the needs of those attending university.
According to Knight Frank’s Student
Property Report, an additional 263,000 fulltime
undergraduates are expected to begin
higher education between now and 2030.
And, for many, it will be their first
experience living away from home and their
expectations of what their new homes will
be like include being clean, modern, and
comfortable.
Unfortunately, the reality experienced by
attending students is quite different.
FALLING SHORT
Despite a recent shift towards moremodern
and purpose-built student
accommodation (PBSA), some students
Where energy bills are not included in the rent, some students,
already struggling to afford accommodation costs, may not turn
on their heating, leading to the issues with a lack of heating, as
well as problems with dampness and mould being exacerbated
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Environmental
Whether in newbuild
or retrofit
properties,
fulfilling existing
and forthcoming
accommodation
requirements set out
by the university,
local authorities,
and the Government
may require capital
investment to
improve building
fabric or add solar PV
or new low-carbon
heating systems
have found properties fall short of their
wish list.
Two of the biggest problems reported in
the latest National Student Accommodation
Survey were dampness and a lack of heating.
The report found that over 33% of those
surveyed have had issues with damp, and
29% experienced a lack of heating or water.
Damp within a property is problematic as
it can often lead to mould, which can have
negative health effects including respiratory
eye and/or skin irritation.
Not only are some properties
not providing graduates with safe
accommodation, but they’re often
unaffordable, as 64% of those paying rent
said they struggle with the cost at least some
of the time.
In the UK, students’ most-common
accommodation types are privately rented,
university halls of residence, private sector
halls of residence, or living at home.
Students living at home usually don’t have
to worry about what their new lodgings
might be like, but for the other 1.2 million
students living away, finding an affordable
and safe property can be problematic.
Infrared heat systems deliver significant benefits, helping to lower energy
consumption and costs and reduce a property’s environmental impact
MANAGING RISING COSTS
The National Student Accommodation
Survey found that many students have bills
included in rent — especially those living in
halls, with 56% of students saying they have
energy bills included.
This can be a great way for students to
avoid the fluctuating costs many households
are facing with their energy bills.
Where energy bills are not included in the
rent, some students, already struggling to
afford accommodation costs, may not turn
on their heating, leading to the issues with
a lack of heating, as well as problems with
dampness and mould being exacerbated.
Unfortunately, given the persistently-high
energy prices, there is a significant challenge
for property owners who cover energy
costs to satisfy the expectations of students
and educational institutions and ensure a
profitable return on their investments.
And this could become a risk to bills
being included in the future, or mean a rise
in rental prices to cover costs.
Whether in new-build or retrofit
properties, fulfilling existing and
forthcoming accommodation requirements
set out by the university, local authorities,
and the Government may require capital
investment to improve building fabric or
add solar PV or new low-carbon heating
systems.
This can be difficult in today’s current
climate, where prices across the supply chain
have increased significantly over the past few
years.
However, property owners mustn’t give
up on their responsibilities to provide
affordable and safe housing for today’s and
tomorrow’s students.
MEETING NET ZERO TARGETS
Ensuring properties have the necessary
energy efficiency measures and affordable
heating systems while balancing upfront
costs can be hard to achieve for many
education providers, student housing
developers, and landlords, especially as
there is a third element to consider.
Housing providers also need to assess
Ensuring properties have the necessary energy
efficiency measures and affordable heating
systems while balancing upfront costs can be
hard to achieve for many education providers,
student housing developers, and landlords
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 47
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Environmental
As owners of large estate portfolios, the UK’s
higher education institutions are uniquely
positioned to take the lead in decarbonisation
efforts to meet the country’s net zero targets
their environmental impact, more
specifically how their property portfolio
will meet net zero targets over the coming
years.
As owners of large estate portfolios,
the UK’s higher education institutions
are uniquely positioned to take the lead
in decarbonisation efforts to meet the
country’s net zero targets.
Consequently, they are facing increasing
pressure from funders, staff, and prospective
students to be more sustainable.
Heating, once again, is at the centre of
the challenge.
When it comes to old housing stock, the
question posed is how to replace oftendecades-old
systems with affordable lowcarbon
technology.
For PBSAs, it’s how to best manage costs
and the need to implement low-carbon
heating that is futureproofed against the
ever-changing energy landscape.
Conventional electric heating systems
don’t address the high cost of energy given
their energy performance, while convection
systems — including heat pumps — are not
as effective in combating the problem of
mould and damp.
Heat pumps can also be problematic
because of their high upfront costs, and
their size means they can be difficult to
accommodate in the smaller units inherent
in student accommodation.
Meeting all expectations can be
arduous and sometimes unrealistic, but
housing providers must find a way to
supply students with affordable, safe and
sustainable housing.
So, what is the solution to this trilemma?
HEATING SMALLER
PROPERTIES
With the Government’s net zero plans
focusing on electrification for heat, many
property owners are turning to heat pumps.
However, this technology is often
unsuitable for smaller houses and multioccupancy
buildings.
With a high upfront cost and a lengthy,
complicated, and often-disruptive
installation process, these systems require
space that is often not available in halls of
residence.
Requiring pipework, radiators, and
external condenser units, heat pumps can
also be costly to service and maintain,
adding financial pressure to already-tight
budgets.
In addition, convection systems,
including heat pumps, don’t help combat
the mould and damp that some student
properties are prone to.
In fact, the warm air they produce,
when coming into contact with cold walls,
encourages condensation and mould,
potentially harming residents’ wellbeing.
With traditional systems failing to ensure
adequate and efficient heating, and options
With traditional systems failing to ensure
adequate and efficient heating, and options
like heat pumps considered unsuitable or
impractical for many accommodation types,
many housing providers are turning to
infrared heat panels as a solution
like heat pumps considered unsuitable or
impractical for many accommodation types,
many housing providers are turning to
infrared heat panels as a solution.
LOW CARBON AND LOW COST
Infrared heat works like the sun, giving the
same feeling of direct warmth, but without
any of the harmful rays.
It works by the fabric of the building and
the materials within a room absorbing and
storing the infrared waves, rather than the
system heating the air and space — a muchmore-efficient
approach to heat.
Infrared can turn the property into a heat
store, with significant benefits when used
with the correct control system.
For example, Ambion Heating provides
the only control system specifically
designed for infrared, and importantly it is
not based on a thermostat.
The unique control system uses constant
dynamic pulsing, rather than a ‘zoning’
on/off approach used by other systems,
to dramatically reduce energy usage and
maintain a room’s temperature within 0.1C
of its target, 24 hours a day.
The system works best by constantly
pulsing across a flat demand profile, with no
morning or evening energy spikes in usage.
With this method, the system can achieve
around 25% savings in the unit cost of
energy using a flexi tariff.
The results of using dynamic pulsing, plus
the infrared panels, are significant, as users
can expect to use up to 60% less electricity
when compared to conventional systems.
Low-carbon heat panels can also reduce
carbon emissions by up to 60% in flats or
studios when compared with conventional
heating systems.
They are also fully futureproofed to
partner with solar and battery solutions for
a complete net-zero approach.
This heating solution can not only
help lower energy consumption, and
therefore costs, but also reduce a property’s
environmental impact.
A further benefit of low-carbon heat
panels use is they can be fitted in a new
purpose-built building or retrofitted to
replace an existing gas or electric heating
system using the electrical mains wiring.
Living in a warm and safe environment
is critical to our health and wellbeing,
something higher education institutions
are committed to supporting their students
with.
And, despite some accommodation
issues, there’s an incredible opportunity to
address these challenges and intelligently
futureproof the student housing sector,
bringing affordable, sustainable, and safe
homes to residents. n
48 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
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People
JLL appoints chief executive
of works dynamics
Sue Asprey Price
JLL has announced the appointment
of Sue Asprey Price as the new chief
executive for work dynamics across
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Based in London, Asprey Price joined JLL
in 2017 as the head of work dynamics in the
UK and Ireland.
Prior to that, she held senior roles at large
real estate companies including CBRE.
She has more than 20 years of experience
and is known for her client service and
strong leadership.
In her new and expanded role, which she
takes over from Mark Caskey, her focus is
to deliver exceptional client service and
drive growth across the region. She will
also play a pivotal role in leading the shape
and delivery of JLL’s end-to-end integrated
corporate occupier solutions across the
region.
Neil Murray, chief executive of work
dynamics at JLL, said: “Sue is a tremendous
addition to our global leadership team.
“Her subject matter expertise and
commitment to superior client service
will help us build on the growing market
opportunities in the EMEA region.
“During her time at JLL, she has earned the
trust of her colleagues and clients and we
are confident about the continued success
of our business as we remain laser-focused
on building a better world of work.”
Asprey Price added: “I am excited to
take on this new role and I look forward to
continuing to help our clients navigate the
changing world of work.
“With our robust technology and
sustainability-driven strategy, we are
equipped to help our clients succeed in
creating unique and exciting workplace
experiences that help foster collaboration,
innovation, and culture.”
Browne Jacobson announces head
of education employment
Browne Jacobson has strengthened
its education practice with the
appointments of a partner and senior
associate specialising in employment
law.
Polly O’Malley joins the UK and Ireland
law firm as head of education employment
after eight years at Stone King, where she
was deputy head of education.
And Faisal Sameja has also been hired
as senior associate from the Association of
School and College Leaders (ASCL), where
he headed up the in-house legal team as
senior solicitor.
In her new position at Browne Jacobson,
O’Malley will collaborate with Heather
Mitchell, education employment partner, to
further grow the employment law offering
within the 100-strong education practice.
She said: “The firm has developed a
tremendous reputation for its legal and HR
services to education clients and it’s clear
there is a strong appetite from our senior
leadership to further grow the employment
offering, which has major potential, within
this sector.”
Sameja has experience in advising
education employers on issues such as
Polly O’Malley with Faisal Sameja
safer recruitment, safeguarding allegations,
dismissals, employment tribunal litigation
and representation, grievance procedures,
and restructures.
Nick MacKenzie, head of education at
Browne Jacobson, said: “The recruitment
of two high-profile lawyers in the education
sector reflects the firm’s ambition for our
education team and is another exciting
step in the delivery of our strategy to be
recognised as a clear market leader right
across the education sector.
“With our latest School Leaders
Survey illustrating how staff recruitment
and retention is one of the top three
organisational priorities in education, there
is a growing demand among schools and
academies — as well as further and higher
education institutions — for employment
and HR services.”
EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | 49
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People
CUBO’s Carol Thomas appointed
LBU Commission chair
Carol Thomas
CUBO EDI lead, Carol Thomas, has
been appointed the new chairman of the
Living Black at University Commission.
Thomas, who is accommodation manager
at the University of the Arts, London,
joined the CUBO board in 2023 to lead on
the development and implementation of
an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
strategy.
The strategy aims to support EDI
transformation in commercial and campus
services and create an inspiring culture
where all students and staff can thrive.
Living Black at University (LBU) was a
ground-breaking report into Black students’
experience in UK student accommodation,
commissioned by Unite Students and
carried out by Halpin Partnership in 2022.
The research explores the experiences
of Black students across university
accommodation and private halls of
residence, amplifying their voices and
stories to the wider higher education (HE)
sector.
In 2024 Unite Students partnered with
CUBO to jointly lead a new phase of the
Living Black at University Commission. This
partnership will take further national action
to support equity, inclusion, and belonging
in student accommodation and wider
campus services across the UK.
Thomas said: “Every student deserves to
feel that they belong.
“The Living Black at University
Commission is at the forefront of creating
positive change to finally address the gap
and ensure black students feel safe, seen,
supported, and empowered to succeed.
“It’s an honour to step into the role of
chair, working together with Unite Students
to drive meaningful change across the
sector.”
E
b
m
LSI TECHNOLOGIST BECOMES
PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER
Dayle Wheeler, a chartered architectural
technologist at education design
specialist, LSI Architects, has qualified
as a certified Passivhaus designer
after undertaking a two-month course
provided by Coaction Training CIC.
The course teaches the core concepts
behind the Passivhaus standard,
considerations and methodologies for
its implementation, and the use of the
Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) for
achieving low energy performance.
Acting as a technical lead on many of
LSI’s ongoing projects, which include
a number of education developments,
Wheeler is already a qualified PAS
Dayle Wheeler
2035 retrofit coordinator and this latest
achievement demonstrates his continued
commitment to sustainable design and
dedication to delivering high-performance
buildings.
His recent project experience includes
a £13m transformation project at Morley
College London’s North Kensington Centre
for Skills, which provided state-of-theart
new educational facilities alongside
modern and inclusive new community
facilities.
He said: “I have been interested in the
Passivhaus design methodology for many
years so it’s really exciting to now be a
certified designer.
“The science-based approach to
designing energy-efficient, comfortable,
and affordable buildings has always
appealed to me, particularly the focus
on high-performance, fabric-first design
principles alongside a high quality of
detailing and construction.
“It’s so important that we as an industry
close the performance gap between
design and as-built and the Passivhaus
methodology has been proven to close this
gap.”
Director, Mirja Mainwaring, added: “Our
approach to sustainability in relation to the
way we design our buildings always begins
at first principles, which we believe is well
aligned to the principles of Passivhaus.
“In our experience this is an effective way
of engaging clients and project sponsors in
the importance of a considered approach
to sustainable design.
“We are delighted to see Dayle
successfully qualify as a certified
Passivhaus designer, which is further
recognition of the considerable expertise
within our design team.
“We are committed to continuing to
support our clients in responding to the
targets relating to sustainability and net
zero, by creating excellent buildings and
spaces that are good for both people and
the planet.”
50 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 EDUCATION-PROPERTY.COM
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 50 25/07/2024 17:15
9 October
IET London: Savoy Place
Exclusively for headteachers,
bursars and senior
management
REGISTER NOW
independentschoolmanagement.co.uk
Confirmed Speakers
Sir Anthony Seldon
Keynote Speaker
David Woodgate
CEO of Independent Schools’
Bursars Association
“Remodelling your school
business”
Kristine Scott
Harrison Clark Rickerby
“Go Commercial! The
benefits of ditching
charitable status and how
to go about it”
Daniel Cohen
MTM Consulting
“Admissions: how to get it
right & strategies to
attract more parents”
Durell Barnes
The implementation of the
Independent Schools
Inspectorate's new inspection
framework, highlighting what
to watch out for
Carolyn Reed
Reed Brand Communications
“Engaging with parents
more effectively”
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 51 25/07/2024 17:15
Education Property Issue 04 August-September 2024.indd 52 25/07/2024 17:15