James Review says school design should be standardised
The long-awaited James Review into the future of schools building was released today, with recommendations that design and regulations should be simplified.
The review, ordered by education secretary Michael Gove and carried out by a panel led by Sebastian James, head of the Dixons group, says school buildings should be based on a set of standardised specifications and designs.
It states that a suite of drawings should be developed showing layouts, dimensions of walls and spaces and indications of how different components and materials can be used.
It also says that in the future more off-site construction could be used for elements such as specialist classrooms and plant rooms.
The review is part of the government’s drive to save 30% from the cost of procuring the new school buildings.
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Readers' comments (26)
Cool! How about a five-year plan and a revival of off-site prefabrication? Was not Conservative Britain supposed to be the home of liberalism and competitive spirit?
Saluti da Roma, Francesco Garfoalo
Does anyone remember CLASP, MACE etc? Say no more!
i don't quite understand how such a review could be led by Dixons Group. am i mistaken in believing that Dixons is an electrical retail specialist? i'm very confused....
Marvellous more red tape, how much has that report cost .
Surely when you have a DTM ( Design Team Meeting ) you
carry out a value engineering process .
Anthony Doody MCIAT
Chartered Architectural Technologist
Here we go again. How can you standardise school designs when there are probably no standard sites to put them on?
I hope there's a cloister-bell tower combo in this suite of drawings, clad in wood effect Trespa it could play really well with the kids.
Misadventure inc. setting sail.
So schools should be built to standard plans. What about regional diversity of materials, fitting in with neighbouring buildings, especially in conservation areas, or dealing with awkwardly shaped sites? Or are all schools to be built in future on identical sites? Fine if you live in a flattish area, but that's going to be a bit tricky in places up and down the country where there are hills to contend with.
Wait a minute, so all I have to is put my titleblocks on your drawings, make sure I've specified the timber effect Trespa then Issue for Construction? Cash back!!
Mr James - whose full name is the Right Hon Sebastian Richard Edward Cuthbert James - is the son of hereditary peer and landowning aristocrat Lord Northbourne.
A schoolmate of David Cameron - and fellow ex-member of the Bullingdon dining club. What more do you need to know?
He is also group operations director of Dixons owner DSG International.