The document discusses UK government guidelines for school facility design and standards. It outlines that the UK Education Funding Agency published guidelines in 2014 recommending efficient school designs that maximize space through proper wall-floor ratios and repetitive designs. It also discusses standards set by the UK Department of Education, retaining regulations around boarding school living facilities, suitable drinking water supplies, and proper acoustics for learning. Recently, universities have recommended incorporating outdoor facilities like shelters and bike paths to encourage outdoor learning and exposure to nature.

1. Kensington Systems Ltd
On School Facilities and
Baseline Design

2. Academic institutions have to be conducive to learning, and the physical
environment plays a significant role in ensuring their ability to facilitate that
learning. Stringent government guidelines focus on the design of school
buildings to regulate both the cost and viability of school buildings.
The UK Education Funding Agency has published guidelines on the schools’
baseline designs, outlining the costs of different structures that should be
present in the building. The following content summarises the important points
regarding the schools’ baseline designs and standards for their premises.
Baseline Design for UK Schools
The UK Education Funding Agency released the guidelines in 2014, citing
recommendations for an efficient learning environment. The Agency claims
that conduciveness to learning is achievable with:
• Proper wall to floor ratios and the use of forms with no curves to
maximise the area, minimising indents and dog legs
• Repetition and replication of design for cost effectiveness
• Maximising stacking when possible
• Sufficient lighting
• An effective natural ventilation strategy that maintains comfort within
the facility

3. Propositions and Standards for School Premises
In a separate document, the UK Department of Education outlined standards
and propositions for school premises. The document is based on the
independent review of Sebastian James, Group Operations Director for Dixons,
findings on the Department of Education’s approach to the different school
premises regulations in the country.
The document proposed to retain the following regulations:
• Improvement of living facilities, especially in boarding schools
o this includes the provision of facilities for indoor and outdoor use,
within and beyond school hours
• Availability of water supplies that are suitable for drinking
o water should be wholesome and easily accessible for pupils; supply
should be separate from the washroom
• Proper acoustics suitable for learning

4. Sources:
 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/baseline-designs-for-schools-
guidance/baseline-designs-for-schools-guidance
 http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36795912
 https://www.kensingtonsystems.co.uk/shelter/canopies/
New Recommendations
Recently, university professors have suggested incorporating outdoor facilities
to encourage children to participate in outdoor learning. With the proven
benefits of active play and being in touch with the natural environment,
universities are encouraging schools to adopt facilities, such as shelters and
bike paths that will bring young pupils closer to nature.
Many factors make for the ideal school premises. These are just a few
recommendations that institutions can consider.