* its forthcoming education Bill, the Government will guarantee maximum funding delegation to schools. More than 600 schools will be built or completely refurbished over the next three years. The merits of working with private companies are hotly debated, but there has been little consideration of stakeholder participation and ownership of school design. Nor has the issue of the link between school curriculum and physical environment been canvassed.

School Works, an innovative not-for-profit company which specialises in secondary school design, argues that without real involvement of school communities and the pursuit of quality in school architecture this much-needed capital funding will be wasted.

The Year 9 pupil who declares war on the corridor obviously has little respect for his surroundings. His school building is decaying and uncared-for - perhaps he is simply a mirror to the neglect he perceives in his environment? You could argue that a new building would elicit a different response from this boy. But although we all like nice, new buildings, how much more do we appreciate them if they have been designed with our own particular requirements, feelings and needs in mind?

Local education authorities traditionally act as clients on school building projects. Head- teachers and heads of department are usually consulted on pre-conceived design ideas, and pupils occasionally see the designs. This lack of engagement with school communities means that schools are designed according to the priorities of individuals who may never use the buildings. We have to ask ourselves whether disaffected young people attending these schools will appreciate the new school buildings promised them, or whether they will continue to see them as symbols of the institutions from which they feel so alienated, and feel the continuing urge to “trash” them.

At the heart of the School Works approach is the basic principle that it is the people who work and learn in a school who really understand its problems, and that involving the school community will generate an innate sense of ownership and respect for the buildings. School Works also believes that quality architecture is an essential ingredient of creating an inspiring environment for learning and encourages schools to work with creative architects (the Peckham Library has seen book loans increase from 80,000 to 340,000 since its makeover).

Working with a team of architects, education, arts and construction professionals, School Works developed a process for involving the community at one school, Kingsdale in Southwark, south London, in creating new designs for the school building.

Through engaging with pupils, staff and the local community, the team discovered the real needs of those who use the building. Links between school design and educational achievement were investigated. Teachers were encouraged to consider the way that their classrooms could aid or impair teaching. Pupils were asked why there was a lack of space for girls in the playground, and how the school buildings influenced their behaviour.

The School Works process resulted in recommendations from introducing swipe-card security access to educational resources, to providing soft toilet paper, to creating a covered circulation and display space in the centre of the school building. The ideas weren’t revolutionary but they reflected the priorities of those who use the building.

As well as generating respect for the building, the School Works process developed a new sense of belonging in the school and a new understanding between the school and its local community. The students were inspired by the process and thrilled to have been asked. As a Year 10 student said:

“What we are doing is too beautiful, miss.”

Construction starts later this year, and the project will be monitored for five years.

Grace Comely is project officer for School Works Ltd. The company has produced a “tool kit” which has been sent to all secondary heads in England. The guide shows how to involve school communities in designs. Copies available on 020 7401 5333 or via www.school-works.org