Teachers

Improving the physical environment of schools

As part of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) process, suitability assessments should  be completed for all schools and some information relating to special needs  should be recorded. This data could be used to target capital investment until full access audits can be carried out..  This would involve full site assessments not just teaching and learning environments and would also include areas accessed by people elsewhere on schools such as catering and recreation areas. 

The role of the LEAs  will be to use the audits in conjunction with the data derived from the Asset Management Plan suitability surveys to plan, in consultation with schools, improvements to schools within the constraints of available funding. 

In targeting schools for accessibility improvements, the highest priority should be those schools where individual pupils are already identified with special physical needs, or where such pupils are due to start.  In these cases a thorough evaluation of what special facilities or equipment are needed should be undertaken, in consultation with advisers, occupational therapists and specialist teachers, as appropriate..

Under the strand of “planning duty” the LEAs have a commitment to improve the physical environment of the school and to give better access to education.  The physical environment includes steps, stairways, kerbs, exterior surfaces and paving, parking area, building entrances and exits (including emergency escape routes), internal and external doors, gates, toilets and washing facilities, lighting, ventilation, lifts, floor coverings, signs and furniture.  Aids to physical access include ramps, handrails, lifts, widened doorways, electromagnetic doors, adapted toilets and washing facilities, adjustable lighting, blinds, induction loops and way-finding systems.  All these would be carried out under the guidelines of planning duty.

Since April 2001 all new school buildings are subject to Building Regulations and for access and facilities for disabled people should comply with the guidance contained in Approved Document M, within the Building Regulations.  This states that reasonable provision will be made for disabled people to gain access to and to use the building.  The LEAs should also take account of guidance within the DfES publication, “Building Bulletin 91: Access for Disabled People to School Buildings.”