Makeovers at schools show school buildings really matter

The British Council for School Environments (BCSE) today launches the Big School Makeover - a major national education programme to encourage teachers, parents and young people to get involved in refreshing or refurbishing a classroom, dining room or even an outside space.

Why? Because school buildings matter.

The programme's slogan, Small Change to Big Difference, illustrates that with a little imagination and effort any area of the school can be turned into a pleasant and stimulating place for learning, whatever the budget.

The Big School Makeover gets a kickstart over the next two weeks with makeover projects being completed in five schools in Brighton, Manchester, North Tyneside, Devon and Cambridge. The events in Brighton and Manchester will coincide with the Labour and Conservative party conferences respectively.

BCSE Chief Executive Ty Goddard said: "We are in the middle of the biggest investment in school buildings since Victorian times. Every child in the country deserves the best possible school building - whether it's through a refresh of colour, major refurbishment or a new build. We want to see young people and teachers up and down the country involved in designing and taking action in their schools."

The makeover project partners, Dulux Trade and construction firm Willmott Dixon, will be working with the BCSE, pupils and staff on design plans and implementation in a selected classroom or other learning space within each of the five schools which are launching the programme.

Specialist colour consultants from Dulux Trade and specialist contractors from Willmott Dixon have provided support to the schools ahead of the makeovers and will be on-site to help out with practical advice, as well as providing supplies.

The burst of creative energy over the next fortnight is just the start of a year-round programme of events, activities and competitions to encourage and mobilise pupils, staff, schools, local authorities and other organisations across the education, design and construction sectors to make a real difference to school environments.

Good design is achieved by really thinking about what you want from an environment, who will use it and what they will be using it for. Schools have a central role in the community and the way people engage with a school building, positive or otherwise, can be directly affected by the colour and design of a space.

Transforming the learning environment really can add colour to the lives of the people who use it. The Government's Better Public Building even states that 'the design of schools can promote the performance of pupils, the retention of staff and a more creative approach to teaching and learning'. Every child has the right to a stimulating, exciting school environment - one that nurtures learning and interaction. The Big School Makeover shows just how easy it is to achieve this.

Peter Owen, Willmott Dixon's education sector manager, said: "This is the third consecutive year we have joined forces with the BCSE to carry out school makeovers. They are a tremendous opportunity to show just how easy it is to bring to life school space that is not being used to its best potential.

"The quality of the learning environment is key to helping children reach their potential and we are delighted to be able to transform space at these schools during the BCSE's Big School Makeover."

The programme's website, www.bigschoolmakeover.org.uk, will feature case studies, tools, top tips, downloadable resources and advice on paint, materials and an interactive colour guide. It even includes tips on how to integrate thinking about colour, design and sustainable building materials into the curriculum.

The Big School Makeover shows that schools can make a real difference to the learning environment whatever their budget.