How Modular Classrooms Support Sustainability In Education

The education and childcare sector is facing a significant number of challenges at the moment, including the rapid expansion of nursery places required to meet demand for extended free childcare hours; the Raac crisis in school buildings; and historical underinvestment in the maintenance and upgrading of school infrastructure.

Amidst all of these challenges, the government needs to ensure that education adapts to our rapidly changing world with sustainable practices. It is committed to produce students who will be facing a greener future, and who will also have an understanding of how intrinsic green and sustainable practices are to the health of the planet.

Here’s a look at how nursery and classroom portable modular buildings can help with all of the above issues, and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Lower environmental impact during construction

The government has pledged to rebuild 50 schools per year and pledged £1.5bn as part of its Schools Rebuilding Programme, to ensure that children no longer have to learn in classrooms that are not fit for purpose, or are actively dangerous.

However, the number of substandard school buildings is extremely high and at this rate of progress, the scheme will only touch the tip of the iceberg.

Furthermore, building an entire school via traditional construction methods is time consuming, and also has a significant environmental impact. The process is energy intensive and generates a substantial amount of carbon emissions and waste. In contrast, modular and portable buildings are manufactured in controlled factory environments.

This streamlines the whole construction process, minimising waste, reducing the need to transport materials, equipment and workers to the site, and producing far less carbon emissions from machinery, equipment, and vehicles.

The timescales involved are also considerably lower, usually just weeks compared to months or even years, thus further minimising on-site disruption and carbon emissions.

Eco-friendly and sustainable materials

Modular buildings are often constructed from sustainably sourced materials such as timber from FSA certified forests, and may include recycled timber or wood. This reduces the rate of deforestation and biodiversity loss, and encourages the further development of forests, which acts as a natural carbon sink.

It also reduces the consumption rates and dependence on non-sustainable and carbon intensive materials such as steel and concrete. This aligns with the government’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy, which includes a commitment to prepare schools for the challenges of climate change.

The Department of Education explains: “Since 2021 we have been designing schools that are low energy, more adaptable to climate change and Net Zero Carbon by design.”

“We are also supporting schools to tackle energy efficiency and improve the ways they are combatting the effects of climate change, and signposting to government-wide schemes such as the Workplace Charging Scheme for EV charging points.”

“Other initiatives include increasing the use of UK grown timber in construction, piloting different measures to improve schools’ ability to withstand the impacts of climate change and tackling flooding at highest risk settings.”

Energy efficient features

Modern portable buildings are designed to prioritise energy efficiency, with advanced levels of insulation and smart ventilation systems. This means that they are easy to heat up and will retain heat well during the winter, and conversely will stay cooler during the summer.

They are also compatible with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and air source heat pumps.

Durable and adaptable

Although often used as a temporary solution, high-quality portable buildings often have an equivalent life span to permanent structures, minimising costs and reducing the need for more energy-intensive bricks and mortar structures.

Furthermore, the portable cabins can easily be adapted to different uses, expanded, downsized, or relocated in response to changes in demand. This extends the lifespan of the building, reduces waste and lowers the demand for new construction materials.

Supporting green initiatives in schools

Modular school buildings can play an active role in the government’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy, which is intended to foster environmental awareness in the next generation.

By learning in an eco-friendly environment that minimises waste and conserves energy, students can learn that there are practical and economical ways of tackling climate change and conserving the earth’s natural resources.