RIBA president Ruth Reed says government must safeguard pupils鈥 needs

The Royal Institute of British Architects has warned the James Review鈥檚 recommendations for school design are a threat to education standards.

RIBA president Ruth Reed called on the government to reject the James Review鈥檚 鈥渙ver-simplistic鈥 approach to school design.

The review of education capital spending by Sebastian James recommends future school buildings should be based on a single set of standardised designs and specifications, sparking fears of 鈥渇latpack鈥 schools.

Ruth Reed said: 鈥淲e urge the government to recognise the complexities in delivering the best new school buildings possible and to reject the over-simplistic approach recommended by the James review.

鈥淭his is not about more work for architects; it is about ensuring the best outcomes for school users and best value for money for the taxpayer.

鈥淭he James Review recognises the wastage that took place through 好色先生TV Schools for the Future (BSF), but over-emphasises as a solution the role of standardisation in school design.

鈥淭here is certainly a case for the standardisation of certain elements of a school building, but the review fails to recognise that a school which is 鈥檉it for purpose鈥 must meet the needs of its client.

鈥淭he housing minister, Grant Shapps, recently quite rightly condemned the identikit housing estates that are being churned out up and down the country, and we would be concerned if the pattern-book mass housing delivery model were endorsed by the education secretary, Michael Gov,e and applied to schools, which work best when they respond to the needs of students, teachers and the context of a site.鈥

Following the government鈥檚 response to the James Review. The 60 page report includes analysis of proposed procurement, design and regulatory changes as well as local authorities with the biggest shortage of school places and much more