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Collection

School and college design and construction

Standards and guidance for the design and construction of school and college buildings and outdoor environments.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
11 February 2026
Last updated:
3 July 2026
Show all updates

  1. Added 'Design guidance: early years' to the collection.

  2. First published.

  3. Further education sustainable estates guidance has been added to the Strategic design advice part of this collection.

  4. We have added sections for 'Employers requirements: schools' and 'Employers requirements: further education college' with links to parts A, B & C.

  5. Removed 'Mainstream schools: area guidelines' and 'SEND and alternative provision: area guidelines' as the information is published within 'Area guidelines and net capacity'.

This collection includes:

  • documents forming the Department for Education’s employer’s requirements

  • documents in support of the Department for Education’s employer’s requirements

  • standardised designs, including drawings and supporting information demonstrating the application of the Department for Education’s employer’s requirements for a primary, secondary and special school

  • building bulletins, including design guidance on acoustics, fire safety, ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality, and area guidance

  • estates design guidance

You can also read guidance on standards for school premises.

Design Standards

Design Guidance

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