A new guidance document to support local authorities decisions in relation to historic school buildings has been published today by English Heritage, in conjunction with Partnerships for Schools (PfS) and the Department for Children, School and Families (DCSF).

Refurbishing Historic School Buildings demonstrates the huge potential and flexibility of traditional school buildings which can be adapted, made more energy efficient and expanded with new buildings.

The publication features the award-winning Elm Court School, part of the London Borough of Lambeth's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which has transformed an unused and near derelict former Edwardian school into a refurbished learning environment for students with special educational needs.

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Elm Court successfully blends the existing school building with new build elements meaning that pupils and staff benefit from the best of both worlds.

As part of the guidance published today a model brief, which will help local authorities to undertake a simple but effective assessment of the heritage importance of the school buildings in their schools estate, will be also be available from the English Heritage website.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, the organisation responsible for the delivery of the full suite of schools capital programmes in England, said: "PfS have been pleased to work with English Heritage on their new publication to encourage local authorities to look carefully at potential refurbishment projects.

"Refurbishment need not be seen as the poor relation of new build. We are passionate about making best use of existing buildings and sustainable refurbishment projects, and indeed over 50% of schools planned with be refurbished. There are already some great examples of cherished local landmarks being given a new lease of life through BSF investment, and this new publication should encourage many more."

(CD/GK)