Westborough Primary School, Essex Children’s designs on the tubes give a sense of ownership.

STADTISCHE GESAMTSCHULE BARMEN, Germany Quality finishes can provide long term value for money.

• External finishes can be used to create interest and help environmental conditions (for example light coloured pavements will reflect light into ground floor rooms);
• Planting can provide shelter and shading for the external environment as well as benefiting the interior;
• Strongly scented plants can assist visually impaired people with orientation.

While some of these measures can add to the initial capital cost, they can provide long term value for money. Higher quality finishes, fittings and fixtures better serve the needs of the school and other users and can have a lower maintenance cost. Better quality furniture often lasts longer and good quality windows and doors can provide a more secure building envelope. Higher quality finishes and fittings also Facilities that are of an overall higher standard can be good income earners.
There are many changes that cost very little but provide a more inclusive environment, such as choosing non-glare paint, using contrasting colours to pick out edges and door handles, or selecting wheelchair-friendly carpeting.

Well-planned and maintained grounds can do much to enhance even small school sites. Landscaping can also be used to enhance security, for example by dense planting or mounds (but the design should avoid creating hiding places).
External landscaped areas can also be a valuable part of the learning experience for pupils with special needs. For example strongly scented plants can stimulate the visually impaired, while calming areas can be created for those with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Refer to Building Bulletin 94, Inclusive School Design.

SOUTH CAMDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Camden, London;
A variety of finishes add character in this circulation area.