The work of the panel this cycle has focussed on two areas with a subgroup for each: surplus space in the estate, and condition of the estate.  Over the four cycles of the panel issues are sometimes identified in the panel years before they come into national conscience. The effect of the rapid populations shifts, particularly in London, was something we first heard about through local authority representatives in the very first Education Expert panel in the depth of Covid in early 2021.  It has now become a national issue extending well beyond London: a relatively rapid pivot from a shortage of school places to a surplus. 

Surplus Space in the Estate

In this cycle the subgroup heard from guest speakers and those on the inside of the desire to keep surplus education space in the public sector. We also speculated on potential uses ranging from the educational such as reintroduction of SureStart or resource hubs of specialists facilities for multiple schools short on facilities or enhancing SEND provision through to alternative uses such as key worker housing or last mile logistics centres. We’ve heard how schools have been developed in Scotland to be hubs with other community facilities integrated.  In the higher education sector we have heard how most universities, amidst sector-wide funding concerns have moved from developing marquee new facilities to attract students to reparisal and consolidation of their estates, looking to increase efficiencies and utilisation.

Read subgroup report from lead Lorna Edwards here.

Condition of the Estate

The second subgroup has explored a related topic which is the condition of the estate. This has been an ongoing topic which focussed initially on decarbonisation challenges and has widened to explore wider condition issues. We have a whole generation of post-war buildings across the education estate from schools to universities which are now life-expired and renewal of them, through refurbishment, deep retrofit or rebuild is in many cases overdue. The ongoing Raac crisis is a symptom of this. But is far from the only issue.  The group prepared a matrix to break down this very significant estate-wide challenge into manageable sub-issues: Capacity / Utilisation; Quality / Suitability; Changing Climate; Financial Pressures; Age / Deterioration. With example solutions; policy / regulation, and ideas & questions. 

Read subgroup report from lead Tom Bentham here.

Skills for Places Insight Study

The panel also discussed the NLA’s proposed Skills for Places Insight Study proposed for April 2025. It was good to see this as a tangible outcome of previous Education Expert Panel discussions around the Creative Curriculum and the potential impacts of a narrowing non-creative curriculum on the future of creative industries particularly the built environment.

We discussed the impact of the ‘attrition rate’ within the sector – female majorities at undergrad level in architecture schools (has been the case for decades in some instances) but still more men than women going on to become and remain qualified architects.   

A key discussion engaging with schools was the need to focus on the right age groups, with future career paths being defined through option choices quite early in a child’s school life. Opening minds to creative pathways early is therefore important before decisions are made. One suggestion was a “Year 6 Roadshow” for the built environment and creative industries to expose young minds to the possibilities that the creative sectors offer.