School Buildings

Kingsmead Primary School, Northwich, Cheshire, finalis of the Prime Minister's Award for Better Publ

The government is currently undertaking a once-in-a-lifetime programme to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England. But sustainability has been an afterthought in Building Schools for the Future.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has recognised the importance of sustainable schools and is working with the SDC to develop a holistic strategy to reduce carbon emissions from across the schools estate.

The UK Sustainable Development Strategy (2005) states:

�Sustainable development principles must lie at the core of the education system, such that schools, colleges and universities become showcases of sustainable development among the communities that they serve.�

Building schools for the future is the government�s flagship school building programme, investing �45bn to rebuild or renew every secondary school in England over a 10-15 year period. This is a unique opportunity to create the school buildings that will enable young people to learn and achieve in an environment that promotes health, wellbeing, creativity and enjoyment. Building Schools for the Future will be followed by a similar programme to renew the primary school infrastructure.

In 2006, the SDC identified that the UK schools estate contributes almost 15% of the UK public sector�s carbon footprint and 2% of the UK�s total carbon emissions. As shown below, almost half (48%) of the schools� carbon footprint is related to emissions from the use of energy in buildings, 32% is from emissions in the supply chain, including school food and construction activity and 14% comes from travel to, from and at school.

The study identified that emissions from schools are significant, and emissions from the majority of the carbon footprint are unmanaged. We recommended that government develop a full holistic carbon reduction strategy.

� Download the Schools carbon footprint report

The SDC has now been commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to develop a holistic carbon reduction strategy for the schools estate. This aims to:
� raise awareness and capacity within the DCSF on reducing carbon emissions from the schools estate through schools policy interventions
� enable DCSF to take a strategic approach to carbon emissions reduction within the schools estate in line with the government�s aspiration to lead by example in mitigating climate change.

We expect to report early in 2008.

Publications

� Every Child's Future Matters

� Submission to Education and Skills Select Committee

� SDC submission: Primary Capital programme

� Carbon Footprinting

� Review of opportunities for improved carbon savings from spend on education buildings

Links

� DCSF sustainable schools

� Building Schools for the Future

� British Council for School Environments

� Education and Skills Select Committee report