Education Today Education Today Magazine
Here, Bertrand Quenot, Managing Director at Elliott, looks at the benefits of a rentable classroom solution and why they can be an essential part of minimising disruption during refurbishment work.
“The cuts in funding for new build programmes that were announced a few years ago left many schools having the prospect of having to put up with poor classroom facilities. However, since then, local authorities have now been allocated over £680 million of maintenance capital, which also covers Sure Start children’s centres. Maintenance capital is also available to academies and voluntary-aided schools, all of which means that there are good reasons for improve existing facilities.
When we work with schools on their refurbishment programmes we generally find that they are looking to create airy, naturally-lit spaces that can be easily adapted to differing teaching requirements. Unfortunately, some schools feel that undergoing these kinds of refurbishments will be too disruptive on the teaching calendar and therefore often feel they are better putting up with classrooms that are far from ideal.
What many don’t realise is that a rentable classroom solution is not only cost effective but can make a significant difference to the viability of these kinds of improvement works, because it ensures continuity of the learning timetable for staff and pupils.
Schools can choose from one of our standard layouts, which are suitable for either 30 or 60 pupils, with typical rental rates from as little as £156 per week, based on a two year rental period. To make it even more convenient, these standard layouts are available from stock, which means that they can be in place ready to receive pupils within weeks. Short term rental agreements are available although we have classrooms at schools that are still being rented over 10 years after we supplied them.
