South Point Primary School
Rhoose, UK
The impact of space on the education sector cannot be underestimated. We work with our clients across schools, colleges and universities, to create innovative places that foster a sense of wellbeing, to support academic attainment.
Learning institutions need to be smart, resilient and flexible, with the environment and efficiency built through their design, construction and operation.
To last into the future, educational buildings and campuses must adapt, become more sustainable, and cater for the shifting demands of society and business. It’s a challenge that no one establishment or local authority can face alone. Alongside government, framework partners and estates leads, we listen, adapt and learn – but never in isolation. Our peers, technical specialists, and teaching and research professionals help shape our projects as we work to perfect a model for education provision which still allows those using the space to flourish. We thrive on a challenge, bringing experts together to develop sustainable solutions, designed for longevity and wellbeing.
We deliver our education work through public sector frameworks, such as the Department for Education, via local authorities, or directly for the institutions themselves. We recognise the need for educational spaces to be adaptable and cost-effective – it’s why we have worked with our project partners to develop an innovative approach, using standardised components. By replicating tried and tested techniques and processes from our experience on other projects, this model speeds up pre-construction times, saves on delays during the design phase, and improves cost and programming.
We continue to collaborate with education partners through our engagement programmes, which include the World of Work Experience (WOWEX) programme, which allows students to learn what it’s like to work in construction, Open Doors, and our support for T Level qualifications in England.
Post-occupancy data collection, evaluation and continuous performance refinement isn’t a core component of many education sector projects – but South Point Primary School makes a compelling reason why it really should be.
This is a story about a trailblazing local authority in Wales, observing the waste, delay and cost of constantly redesigning space for new education facilities, when it already had a formula that worked.
We know that high quality, high-performing spaces attract exceptional talent. Higher education institutions need to be the best in their field across a range of disciplines – this could be a top-of-the-range research facility developing the latest medical technology, such as University College London’s (UCL) new home of Neuroscience, or a flexible space that increases commercial revenue at a time when funding is uncertain.
We work with our clients to create places that boost productivity, and where faculty and students can work and learn together. Harnessing the latest sector insights and research enables us to understand the challenges higher education estates face – our teams have the expertise to find the right solutions, creating spaces that provide a competitive advantage relevant to the institution and its needs.
ISG's latest research report, 'Space to innovate', reveals a link between built space and innovation, with our research showing that more appropriate space to innovate drives greater levels of innovation within the education sector - and UK sectors as a whole. Innovation which leads to more productivity, growth and nationwide prosperity.
“Working in collaboration across the education sector with clients and stakeholders provides ISG with the opportunity to be a true partner in the widest sense. Our clients are continually faced with new challenges and by working together through investment and innovation, we are identifying solutions fit for the future.”
Zoe Price, ISG's CEO
Mark Adams, Headteacher, Chelveston Road School, Rushden, UK