How the quality of light in school buildings affects teaching and learning

There is a general view that, by and large, buildings are buildings. Some of them are more comfortable than others but, in terms of teaching and learning at least, there’s not too much to choose between one design and another.

While this idea has remained prevalent in the UK, it was overthrown in the USA following the publication in 1999 of the report, “Daylighting in Schools”, by the Pacific Gas and Electricity Company. This report was commissioned by the Californian Board for Energy Efficiency to find out the best way to save energy in schools.  However, to the surprise of those running the research, it was proved that certain types of school building design (i.e. those incorporating sky-lights) were not only more energy efficient, but also had a huge impact on learning success rates.

Since the publication of the “Daylighting in Schools” report, Conport Structures has worked to produce buildings that meet the best practice criteria discovered through that survey, offering schools and colleges a cost-effective way of replacing older buildings, while simultaneously improving energy efficiency and raising educational standards.

For more details please contact Conport on 020 7730 9105 or e-mail sales@conport.com.