Engineering a smarter future for education

As schools face pressures from overcrowding, aging infrastructure and safety concerns, the need for smarter construction solutions is high. Richard Hipkiss from the Modular and Portable Building Association, explores how volumetric modular construction is helping schools meet immediate needs while delivering learning environments for the future

As schools, academies and colleges across the country grapple with overcrowding, aging buildings, and critical structural issues like those caused by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – the urgency for smarter, faster construction solutions has never been greater.

 In the face of these mounting pressures, how can industrialised construction revolutionise the education sector – delivering rapid, safe and sustainable spaces fit for 21st century learning? The MPBA represents the leading innovators across the modular construction supply chain, championing a smarter, more industrialised approach to building for the education sector. Volumetric modular construction is far more than a stopgap for emergencies or short-term fixes – it is a transformative, future-ready solution with the power to redefine how we design, build and experience education spaces.

Speed: minimising disruption

One of the standout advantages of volumetric modular construction is its unrivalled speed. Traditional building methods are often at the mercy of weather, subcontractor delays and onsite complexities. In contrast, modular buildings are manufactured in controlled factory environments with precision and consistency. Components – including floors, walls, ceilings, M&E systems and internal finishes – are produced simultaneously with site preparation, significantly accelerating project timelines. 

According to RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) – this parallel workflow allows education providers to benefit from up to 50 per cent faster delivery compared to conventional methods. This is especially critical for schools facing immediate accommodation needs due to rising enrolment figures or emergency scenarios linked to structural safety concerns like RAAC.

For example, when schools are found to contain unsafe RAAC panels, teaching spaces may need to be vacated immediately. In such cases, MPBA members have successfully delivered temporary classrooms and replacement facilities within just weeks – ensuring minimal disruption for teaching staff and students.

Equally, modular construction’s rapid turnaround is advantageous for capital development programmes, particularly those aligned with the Department for Education’s (DfE) fast-track frameworks. Schools can avoid long periods of construction disruption and benefit from modern facilities far sooner than traditional builds would allow. Factory controlled quality A cornerstone of industrialised construction, the controlled factory environment significantly enhances the safety credentials of modular building. By shifting the majority of the construction process offsite, risks are minimised – not only for the workforce but also within sensitive educational settings, where safeguarding students and staff is critical.

This streamlined, precision-driven approach embodies the core principles of industrialised construction: consistency, control and uncompromising safety. On traditional building sites, high footfall, machinery and material handling present a range of hazards.

By contrast, modular projects significantly reduce onsite activity. Prefabricated modules arrive ready for connection and commissioning, which means less noise, dust and disruption. Reduced onsite construction activity during term time minimises health and safety risks for students and staff. In addition, the stringent quality assurance processes inherent in offsite manufacturing leads to superior build consistency. From fire compliance and acoustic performance to airtightness and structural integrity, each module undergoes rigorous testing before it ever reaches site.

Embracing circular construction

Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – it is an imperative. Education estate managers are under pressure to meet Net Zero targets, improve energy performance and reduce lifecycle environmental impact. Volumetric modular construction is uniquely placed to support the sustainability agenda. Factory-based construction is significantly more resource-efficient than traditional builds. Waste is minimised through controlled processes, precision cutting and the reuse of materials. Surplus resources can be recycled at source, avoiding the need for landfill disposal.

Modular buildings are also designed with energy efficiency in mind. High-performance insulation, airtight construction and integrated renewable technologies – such as solar PV and heat pumps – can all be incorporated at the manufacturing stage. This leads to improved thermal performance and reduced running costs for schools – an increasingly important consideration given budgetary constraints across the sector.

Furthermore, the modular approach facilitates whole-life sustainability. Modular buildings can be demounted, relocated, reconfigured or expanded with minimal environmental impact. This adaptability ensures that school estates remain flexible and future-proof without the need for carbon-intensive demolition and rebuild cycles.

Crucially, modular construction embraces the principles of circular construction. Buildings are designed for disassembly, enabling components and modules to be taken apart without damage and reused elsewhere – extending the life of materials and reducing demand for primary resources. This design-for-reuse approach not only cuts down on waste but also allows for a more efficient and regenerative building lifecycle. By embedding circularity into the design and delivery of educational spaces, modular construction aligns with a sustainable, long-term vision for the built environment. Meeting the needs of today and tomorrow

The needs of the education sector are changing. Learning environments must be fit for purpose and also adaptable, inspiring and inclusive. Volumetric modular construction enables architects and school leaders to reimagine spaces with creativity and agility.

Whether it is a science lab, a multi-classroom block, a SEN support hub, or a temporary portable facility, modular design can be tailored to suit specific teaching and operational needs. Acoustic specifications, lighting strategies, ventilation systems and accessibility features can all be incorporated from the outset in a factory controlled environment.

In addition, because modules are pre-engineered and manufactured offsite, the design process benefits from repeatability and standardisation – without compromising on customisation. Schools can have bespoke facilities delivered at scale and pace, often drawing on a library of pre-approved designs that meet DfE standards for space, compliance and building performance. The modular approach offers a scalable, replicable model for deploying consistent quality across multiple school sites.

Supporting capital programmes

As the education sector continues to evolve in the face of demographic growth, funding pressures and estate renewal – volumetric modular construction provides a valuable toolkit for planners, designers and school leaders. The method is well aligned with a range of national programmes, including the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), with modular options often preferred for their speed and cost certainty.

It also works well for emergency RAAC response measures, rapidly deploying temporary classrooms to maintain learning continuity.

Modular construction also helps basic needs and SEN expansion, giving flexible delivery of permanent or semi-permanent buildings to meet urgent pupil place requirements.

What’s more, modular construction can help with summer holiday programmes as it allows for installations during short holiday windows, avoiding term-time disruption.

Complete, compliant and future-Ready

At MPBA, we work closely with government, industry bodies and procurement frameworks to ensure our members deliver high-quality, fully compliant education buildings that meet both immediate needs and long-term goals.

The education sector faces a dual challenge. Creating inspiring, sustainable learning environments whilst managing tight budgets and urgent timelines. Volumetric modular construction meets this challenge – offering speed, safety, quality, and sustainability in one forward-thinking solution. As the sector tackles rising demand, outdated infrastructure and the urgent need for Net Zero progress, modular methods provide a smarter, faster, and greener path forward.