Portakabin Launches New Decant School Solution to Create Inspiring Interim Teaching Accommodation

Portakabin, the UK's leading education modular building specialist, has launched a new decant school solution to provide interim teaching accommodation to support the Building Schools for the Future initiative and the Primary Capital Programme.

Developed in consultation with leading design architects P+HS, this latest suite of building options from Portakabin allows schools and colleges to benefit from more inspiring interim education facilities and maintain the highest standards of teaching during major construction or refurbishment work.

The new hire solution can be used to provide a complete interim school, incorporating design best practice, current thinking on anti-bullying strategies and generously-sized double classrooms that, at 64sqm, exceed DCSF guidelines.

The Portakabin decant concept is highly flexible and can also be applied to learning clusters, standalone teaching blocks and even single classroom buildings to meet a school's precise requirements. 

The range of design options includes:

• Floor to ceiling glazing to maximise natural light
• Efficient climate control systems for optimum air quality to improve concentration levels
• Unisex toilets which can be positioned close to main reception areas
• Break-out and social spaces to enhance the learning experience
• The latest information technology such as interactive white boards, data communications and CCTV
• Landscaping, decking and paving to give an interim school building its own identity
• Entrance canopies and access ramps.
  
  

According to Chris Dennis, Director of P+HS Architects, "The provision of high quality interim teaching accommodation is critical to maintaining the highest standards of education during the delivery of the Building Schools for the Future programme, the Primary Capital Programme, and indeed while any major building work is carried out on a school or college campus."

"Portakabin recognises the importance of offering unrivalled flexibility in design and layout to suit individual school requirements, as well as a fast and efficient response."

"Its modular buildings for interim use feature many inherent benefits such as space, proportion, robustness and high levels of natural light to create stimulating education environments with a sense of presence and identity for each school.  Delivered with significantly less disruption to teaching, this is an excellent and affordable solution without compromise."

Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire, said, "If a school building project takes two years to complete, children could be learning in interim accommodation for one third of their time at that school.  In the case of further education, a student's only experience may be in decant accommodation.  The quality of this education environment is therefore a critical requirement for schools, colleges and contractors to address."

Each Portakabin decant building can be fitted out to accommodate a wide variety of applications, such as science laboratories, art rooms, dance studios, food technology rooms, IT suites, general classrooms, school or college receptions, kitchen and dining facilities, and administrative offices.

Portakabin offers a full range of support services for its new decant school solution, from planning applications and Building Regulations approval, to space planning and design, foundations, fitting out, fire and security systems, and the supply of furniture.

Portakabin is also now fully accredited by Buying Solutions, the Government agency that allows schools and local authorities to reduce the tendering process by up to 77 days. 

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