When Apollo Education was awarded a £24.9m contract to create an Inclusive Learning Campus at Woodside High School in London’s Wood Green, amalgamating two special schools with the existing mainstream school , we chose to become the first major construction company in the UK to trial NUDURA’s Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) technology.

Weldability-Sif has been working closely with The North Hertfordshire College in Stevenage to set up a welding skills training initiative and centre. The partnership between Weldability-Sif, The Welding Institute, Cambridge and Stevenage Skills Centre (part of North Hertfordshire College) to deliver training to overcome the current skills gaps in the UK welding industry is a great example of making this vision a reality.

Metal column casings from Pendock have been used to striking effect at the new West Cheshire College in Ellesmere Port. Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, the landmark building boasts an iconic rotunda which houses 100 of Pendock’s decorative column casings with a brushed aluminium finish. Ranging from 2.5m to 12m in height and spanning 4 floors, the casings were installed by Pendock’s approved installer Leisure Structures and make a significant contribution to the overall interior design of the campus.

Secondary glazing is the most effective and simplest solution to unwanted noise but it will also markedly improve a building’s energy efficiency and can increase window security. It is often the only practical solution for traditional or listed buildings with preserved facades. Secondary glazing is fitted on the room side of existing windows and when fitted with an air gap of at least 100mm it will dramatically improve sound insulation. In schools and colleges it has particular value in exam rooms, music rooms and libraries.

Curtain walling, windows and doors from Kawneer feature on a mixed-use development designed as an inspiring £71 million gateway to Hastings for business visitors, tourists and residents alike. At the centre of the Station Plaza scheme is a Kawneer-clad new £65million sixth form and further education college – the result of a fundamental review of post-16 education by the Learning and Skills Council.

Portakabin is urging schools to make sure they are prepared to avoid the disastrous effect of burst pipes; advice includes:

• Make sure heating is on a constant setting at 5°-10°C if the building is left unoccupied at weekends or longer periods.

A dedicated sixth form centre is now in use at Wymondham High – a new academy in Norfolk. The scheme has been constructed using a highly sustainable recycled modular building from Foremans Relocatable Building Systems. It was completed ahead of schedule, reducing the programme from receipt of order to less than three months.

Students can suffer if you choose your school furniture as an afterthought. That’s the message from the Steltube Group, one of the UK’s longest established designers and manufacturers of furniture for the education market.

Andrews Water Heaters has supplied solar water heating systems and direct fired storage water heaters for the new Ark Academy in Wembley. The planning requirements dictated that a percentage of renewable energy was to be utilised to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.

Children and residents are celebrating the completion of the Alsop High School in Liverpool following a massive 4 year programme of redevelopment and construction. Alsop is a popular mixed comprehensive with nearly 1800 pupils, and is the largest secondary school in Liverpool.

The high output BioWIN Excel wood pellet boiler from Windhager UK is the perfect solution for heating large properties. Extensively tried and tested, the technology has been adapted for high performance, focusing on maximum operational safety, fuel efficiency and economic operation.

This new school term sees the introduction of the first Heckmondwike FB Education Sample Card. The sample card, which is the first industry-specific for the British carpet manufacturer, is filled with four different product categories in one, acting as a one stop shop for all things flooring for education.

Shaws of Darwen have been manufacturing fireclay sinks for well over 100 years and production still continues today, in their vast factory in Lancashire. The Shaws range of British made fireclay sinks sell the world over which is testament to its quality. All products are handcrafted to the highest standards using time honoured methods and state of the art kiln technology.

Andrews Water Heaters has supplied two high efficiency, condensing water heaters and buffer tanks which have been installed at the new RSA Academy in Tipton, West Midlands. Sustainability was paramount in the building’s design in order to reduce both running costs and carbon emissions which has resulted in a BREEAM rating of Very Good.

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems is urging construction clients to check all modular building suppliers comply with Building Regulations Part L2A 2010 requirements. “Some suppliers are struggling to comply with the revised Building Regulations Part L2A and not all understand the requirement to provide Energy Performance Certificates on completion of every project,” explains managing director Kevin Jones.

Portakabin has launched a video as part of its campaign to change the perception of modular buildings and demonstrate the possibilities with this innovative and flexible approach to providing interim accommodation.

It’s very clear that many education establishments are still lagging behind when it comes to providing adequate toilet facilities as set out in the Building Schools for the Future programme. This programme clearly stated that toilets and changing facilities need to be designed to be suitable for all pupils, staff, visitors including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

For many schools faced with the prospect buying new furniture, the problem is often lack of experience and advice on what to buy. Furniture members of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) all manufacture to the European standard EN1729 to do with size, health and safety and ergonomic issues. The new EN1729 standard is the only current and valid standard for classroom furniture, including tables, desks and chairs for use in UK schools.

This new school term sees the introduction of the first Heckmondwike FB Education Sample Card.  The sample card, which is the first industry-specific for the British carpet manufacturer, is filled with four different product categories in one, acting as a one stop shop for all things flooring for education.

Broadview provides a design, supply and installation service for external awnings, pergolas, canopies and internal blinds to accommodate a school’s requirements. Products include the Sunrain awning system, folding arm B28 electric awning and the new B-200 Outdoor Living sun system. The fully motorised retractable awning with full gutter systems, the Sunrain, can be fitted on to a purpose-built goal post structure over classroom windows or fixed against a wall.

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems has published a new report: A Guide to Expanding Teaching Accommodation which gives practical tips to help schools avoid some of the most common pitfalls and ensure modular building projects are completed on time, on budget and to the required quality standards.

Andrews Water Heaters has supplied two high efficiency, condensing water heaters and buffer tanks which have been installed at the new RSA Academy in Tipton, West Midlands. Sustainability was paramount in the building’s design in order to reduce both running costs and carbon emissions which has resulted in a BREEAM rating of Very Good.

Steeped in heritage, tradition, nostalgia and pride, Eton College is as British as afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches.  Often described as the most famous public school in the world, Eton was founded in 1440 by Henry VI.  The prestigious college is well-known for its former students who graduate to become inspirational actors, successful comedians and even Prime Ministers. Therefore it was an honour and a privilege for Heckmondwike FB to supply the carpet for this historic and beautiful school.

Airmax is a unique, parallel opening window system from Reynaers Aluminium. When open, the parallel window allows air to penetrate around its entire perimeter facilitating highly efficient ventilation, increasing air flow by almost double in comparison to a traditional top hung window. This creates less draught within a room because the open space is more evenly distributed around the frame.

Hampton College, Peterborough, built in 2005 to accommodate the expanding student population from the large suburban housing estate in which it resides, is a well designed, modern school boasting impressive facilities and has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The Ravensbourne digital media and design college designed by Foreign Office Architects and DEGW is a structure which encourages collaboration between different disciplines: open spaces and quiet corners, social spaces, technology hubs, design studios and production suites.

Knauf AMF Ceilings were recently specified to help meet complex acoustic requirements within the new 308-seat Large Lecture Theatre at Bournemouth University’s Kimmeridge House facility. A sophisticated processing system has been installed that allows the reverberation in the theatre to be adjusted to suit the specific situation, whether short reverberation times for lectures or longer reverberation times for musical concerts.

Offsite construction specialist Terrapin has created a rapid response solution that addresses the demand in the market for cost effective, turnaround of classroom buildings.

Fully equipped, permanent, modular classroom units can be built to a bespoke design within less than two months and supplied to BREEAM Excellent rating where required, which includes the inclusion of renewable technologies. 

Eco-Liner - the insulated plasterboard from EcoTherm - is making fast work of upgrading the energy efficiency of a Victorian school building in Essex to 21st century standards.

Andrews Water Heaters has supplied two high efficiency, condensing water heaters and buffer tanks which have been installed at the new RSA Academy in Tipton, West Midlands.

Sustainability was paramount in the building’s design in order to reduce both running costs and carbon emissions which has resulted in a BREEAM rating of Very Good.

Last year carpet manufacturer Heckmondwike FB launched a national schools competition for the chance for a school to win 10 classrooms of carpet – plus a whole host of other prizes and runners up prizes.

With budgets tightening and severe cuts being made across the board - 2011 promises to be educational facilities’ toughest year yet.

When Bolsover School underwent a major building programme as part of the government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative, it turned to interior surfaces specialist Altro to create an inspirational and practical educational environment for hundreds of students, staff and visitors across North Derbyshire.

A leading engineering consultancy is consolidating its work in the higher education sector thanks to a large number of projects with universities along the south coast.

Henderson Green has won its first contract with the University of Winchester, completed its work at the University of Portsmouth’s Dental Outreach Centre and secured several projects with Southampton Solent University.

Educating the public on how to preserve the environment has been in the top headlines for quite some time now. As adults we have had to teach ourselves a new way of living that involves recycling, energy conservation and learning to use cars and pesticides that don’t damage our Earth. Unlike us, children have the advantage that they are not learning this process but living this process. The government and many private trusts are offering large funding initiatives to help teach our children and our communities about Green Responsibility.

“The Vikan ErgoClean ‘ultra’ microfibre system gives the best cleaning performance, offers the fastest drying time, as well as being the easiest to use,” says Middlesborough Council’s resource officer Colin Smith. This was his verdict after trialling several microfibre cleaning systems in one of the City Academies and the prestigious Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art.

British fibre bonded carpet manufacturer Heckmondwike FB is helping educational establishments keep clean by the introduction of its new Cleaning and Maintenance Guide.

The attractive guide, which contains nine pages in a handy reference point style, features clear and concise pictorial instructions as well as the cleaning products needed for each specific job. It details the best ways to tackle general cleaning; deep cleaning; stain removal and the biggest problem faced when maintaining flooring, the removal of chewing gum.

Sparsholt College Hampshire has chosen the highly sustainable recycled modular building approach from Foremans Relocatable Building Systems to expand its teaching accommodation.

Each building is partially clad in timber from sustainable sources to help them blend into the surrounding rural environment and fully refurbished and fitted out off site.

Suffolk based locker manufacturer, Helmsman, has extended its range to compliment its lockers, cubicles and seating products by offering library shelving.

Helmsman - who have been owned since January 2008 by Sperrin Metal Products, Northern Ireland - now have the ability to produce and install library shelving, mobile shelving, mezzanine floors and pallet racking.

MHS Boilers supplied 36 square metres of ELCO AURON DF evacuated tube solar collectors and two stainless steel pre-heated solar vessels to the new £32 million Teddington School in Middlesex.

The solar collectors have an extremely flexible and stable mounting system to simplify installation and alignment. Every possible variation of roof, wall and floor positioning is available to the installer. By rotating the tubes (between +/- 30°) the absorber plate can be aligned to achieve an optimal angle to solar radiation.

GML Construction has secured a design and build project to deliver a new gymnasium, drama studio and classroom suite at The Towers School in Ashford, Kent.

Designed by Hayes+Hayes Architects, the £1.1 million scheme is being funded by Kent County Council using the school’s devolved capital.

Apollo Education has begun work on the installation of 6000 brass tiles to complete the exterior of a new build project at Orchard Primary School in Hackney, London.

The recycled tiles, which are clipped to a Steico composite envelope curtain walling system on the school’s new extension, are fixed individually, forming a strong and secure interlocking system when fully installed.

When Apollo Education was awarded a £24.9m contract to create an Inclusive Learning Campus at Woodside High School in London’s Wood Green, amalgamating two special schools with the existing mainstream school , we chose to become the first major construction company in the UK to trial NUDURA’s Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) technology.

Purus, the wet room drainage solutions provider, is launching a new range of attractive and highly durable stainless steel sanitary ware products for use in commercial environments.

The Purus stainless steel sanitary ware and accessories range has been developed for use in public lavatories, hospitals and prison cells where there is a high demand for robust, easy to maintain, functional and hygienic products.

At the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, the design of the students union bar and restaurant areas included exposed concrete soffits and glass partitions. The students frequently use the bar for live performances and it became apparent that additional acoustic absorption was necessary. After Rockfon’s Technical department had provided the results of a reverberation test, it was decided to carry out a retrofit utilising 20 Rockfon Eclipse ceiling islands to reduce the echo and unwanted noise in these busy areas.

With a wide range of radiant heating and cooling panels for the differing requirements within a school building, creating a comfortable, efficient and functional learning environment with Zehnder couldn’t be simpler.

Ideally suited for use in the education sector, ceiling mounted radiant heating ensures all valuable working wall and floor space is free for teaching purposes. Moreover with their ability to achieve energy savings of up to 40% on alternative heating methods, and a capacity to operate with renewable energy sources, they provide an extremely economical and energy efficient indoor climate solution.

When Bolsover School underwent a major building programme as part of the government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative, it turned to interior surfaces specialist Altro to create an inspirational and practical educational environment for hundreds of students, staff and visitors across North Derbyshire.

The 3R’s Project (Reorganise, Renovate, Rebuild) is Aberdeen City Council’s scheme to ensure Aberdeen’s schools are made fit for the 21st century. The initial phase has seen two secondary schools replaced, seven new primary schools built, one refurbished and the incorporation of two special schools.

Sash window renovation specialist, Ventrolla, is helping schools up and down the country battle through the spending cuts and is supporting the government’s plans for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions in schools.

It was around a year ago that the plans were announced, along with the final report from the Zero Carbon Task Force (ZCTF).

A stunning motif featuring the national flags and landmark buildings from five European countries was designed by pupils in collaboration with Polyflor’s Expressions Design Service for Parklands High School, a specialist language college in Chorley, Lancashire.

After years of patching and repairing the floor in the sports hall at the Priory School, Edgbaston, it was finally agreed to re-surface. Clarke Flooring worked with Tarkett and the designer Claire Davies-Hobbs to advise the school on the best options for the 286m2 area. “We looked at a number of manufacturers”, explained Claire, “but in the end the school selected Tarkett’s Omnisports Training as it was considered ideal for the hall which is also used frequently for exams”.

Screens strategically located around your campus are an effective way to communicate with pupils and staff alike.

Another communications medium just went digital – the humble, but critically important, notice board.

Portakabin has welcomed the Government’s move towards off-site construction as a procurement solution following the Education Capital Review. However, the company is calling for a change in thinking among some contractors, architects and schools to help address any reluctance to embrace the opportunities and efficiency improvements that steel-framed buildings can bring.

Directline Structures is an award-winning, family-run company based in Ashford, Kent, that has been designing and constructing commercial steel buildings since 1988.

Our long experience in sustainable design and construction means there is no challenge we can’t overcome, and our expertise has enabled us to design and build for a diverse range of uses, from school and community buildings, industrial and commercial use, to more unusual commissions such as a photographic studio and a church.

When Education Secretary Michael Gove announced that the coalition Government was axing the ‘wasteful’ Building Schools for the Future programme, hundreds of schools found their building projects being cancelled.

It was time, said Gove, to ‘bear down on costs and bureaucracy so every new school is built in as cost-effective and efficient a way as possible’.

YAZOO, the nation’s favourite milkshake, supports its healthier credentials by being part of the RFU YAZOO Tag Rugby Primary School Programme. In the last two years alone the RFU and YAZOO has brought tag rugby to nearly two million children as well as donating equipment to thousands of schools across England.

Polyrey laminates offer specifiers an ideal material for high performance, easy maintenance and design scope, perfect for answering the needs of a busy and demanding student environment.

Decorative laminate can be used in a variety of applications including wallpanelling, toilet and washroom areas, cafeteria tables, servery areas, student lockers and furniture. Pictured is the library and learning area at Longford Community School in Feltham, near Heathrow designed by Jonathan Clark Architects where two shades of grey were specified for the curved tables and workstations.

Cathays High School in Cardiff has approximately one thousand pupils which elects a Committee made up of one boy and one girl from each class and they meet to air student problems, complaints and suggestions which are passed on to school administrators. One regular complaint from representatives of all is that the boys frequently failed to flush the toilets after they have used them. Cathays High School contacted Cistermiser for help and the company sent a team to the school to review the problem at first hand.

Fresh, stylish and designed with students in mind, the new academy stacking chairs from Gopak can improve seating comfort at just about any educational facility.

Ergonomically designed to provide perfect posture and improve long term health, the innovative new chairs offer an exceptional level of thoracic, lumbar and pelvic support. Meeting and exceeding the requirements of EN1729: Parts 1 & 2 – the new regulatory standards for educational furniture – they are the ideal choice for schools, colleges and universities.

The method of heating Wrexham School, both the building and the water for pupils, staff and kitchens is anything but conventional and with an eye to the future the education authority opted for a system utilising the heat always present at a more or less constant temperature in the ‘near-surface geothermal layer’ underground.

A ‘pop up’ temporary swimming pool initiative designed to encourage people to learn to swim in London has been installed with Heronrib safety matting.

Heronrib, manufactured by Plastic Extruders Ltd, was laid on the pool surround to provide high slip resistance underfoot while also providing a comfortable and hygienic surface on which to stand.

KI have provided classroom furniture for the new Chelsea Academy in Lots Road, London. The furniture for the new building needed to be appropriate for the aspirational setting but robust and fit for purpose and the academy employed both the help of the students and teachers in the selection of the classroom furniture.

Basingstoke framing system manufacturer Minitec has installed a Zapkut ZK8 vertical panel saw to cut sheet materials in house.

ZK units offer the benefits of fixed wall saws in a portable package. They can be deployed or stowed in seconds by a single operator, and transported in a small van.

Provian Construction, one of Kent’s leading main contractors, has secured a new project with Kent County Council (KCC) to create much needed additional space and facilities at The Orchard School, Canterbury.

The Orchard School caters for primary and secondary aged pupils with social, emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties and has achieved Specialist Arts status. It is part of KCC’s Special Schools Review SEN (Special Educational Needs) programme to provide additional facilities for its pupils and staff.

The new Sola School Rimless WC Pan has no hidden channels, it has no covered rim, no box section and no tubes making it far easier to clean and fully hygienic, addressing a major area of concern in school bathrooms.