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Featured Editorials
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June 2010
 Education Under a Coalition
We are beginning to see the flesh on the bones of the new Coalition Government’s approach to education. Recent announcements have included the potential of 2,000 new academies focused on existing outstanding state schools, freeing up the national curriculum, and a raft of initiatives focused on bringing new providers into the school system. Building on models like the ‘free’ schools, charities, groups of parents, as well as private sector providers are likely to be encouraged to run schools.
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June 2010
 BREEAM - You Don' Have to Buy points
The last few years has seen a deluge of legislation and initiatives aimed at creating more sustainable buildings. The standard benchmark against which architects and contractors gauge and are gauged in school construction and refurbishment is BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method. BREEAM operates on a points system, with 70 scoring Excellent and 85 and over achieving Outstanding. This system has led some to believe that the way to achieve a high rating is to include as many so-called environmental features as possible – in effect buying your way to BREEAM approval.
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June 2010
 Lessons in School Security
Undoubtedly, schools and colleges have to face up to disruption caused by vandalism, arson attacks and criminals. There is also the threat of physical assault if intruders venture onto school grounds and even the potential, in an increasingly uncertain world, for hostage situations to develop. Given the challenges they face it is not surprising that schools are turning to CCTV, which they can then integrate with the likes of access control, physical security measures and guarding to enhance security, says Pauline Norstrom, Chairman of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA)'s CCTV Section.
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June 2010
 Landscaping in schools
Landscaping and extensive school grounds provide children and young people opportunities for healthy exercise, creative play and a unique connection with the natural world.
In this article the UK’s leading trade association for the Landscape Industry the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) takes a look at a successful school grounds regeneration project.
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May 2010
 Building For Education is what we're all about.
But What about Education For Building?
In a survey last year, the CIOB reported that there are still too few skilled workers in the UK construction industry.
The survey involved over 1,000 UK construction professionals, of
which 77% believe there is a skills shortage in construction. Of these, 78% felt that the loss of skills will hinder the industry’s recovery when the economy improves.
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April 2010
 The thing about concrete is ...........
The thing about concrete is, it’s like chocolate. Too many air bubbles in it and you get Aero, and it breaks down. What you need is Dairy Milk.’
It’s not an advert for Cadbury’s, this is Phil Eves explaining construction to young students in the Midlands. And over the past five years, as BAM’s Learning and Resource Co-ordinator for the region, he’s seen a lot of them. Hundreds in fact.
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March 2010
 External wall insulation ticks all the boxes
The UK is serious about addressing the challenges we face in preventing runaway climate change by putting in place the necessary measures to create a sustainable low carbon economy in the time-frames required.
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March 2010
 Education in better access
Ian Page, Product Manager of Kee Safety Ltd takes a look at the obligations the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Building Regulations place on schools and colleges to improve accessibility and make new and existing education buildings as safe as possible for people to use.
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March 2010
Secure your school with access Control
Unfortunately schools face a number of security threats including theft and vandalism and so ensuring the safety of staff, pupils and assets is a high priority.
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March 2010
First ever zero carbon schools to be built across England
One of the greatest challenges for any education
establishment is balancing the need to create an
open and stimulating environment that encourages
learning, whilst...
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