The Growing Secondary School Capacity Crisis (And How to Fix it)

With pupil numbers on the rise and pressure mounting on existing facilities, many secondary schools are struggling to keep up. Overcrowded classrooms, ageing buildings, and a growing need for wellbeing and SEN spaces mean that schools are having to rethink how they use their space. But what’s driving the demand for more space in secondary schools, and what's a quick and cost-effective solution? Find out everything you need to know by reading on...

The major problems faced by secondary schools today

As we all know, secondary schools are facing capacity issues. Many are currently oversubscribed, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and increased pressures on both the schools and its facilities. The nationwide rise in pupil numbers is predicted to continue through to at least 2027, and later if secondary schools cannot expand their capacities quickly. 

“We’re creaking at the seams”

Anne-Marie, our sales project manager, spoke with a secondary school headteacher recently about the issues they are facing with capacity constraints and unsuitable buildings. The head told us that their school is ‘creaking at the seams’. Last year, they had agreed to take a bulge year, exceeding their usual year 7 enrolment figures. Now, their year 7 enrolment is at maximum capacity, with a student waiting list of 40. The school still anticipates being asked to increase their pupil numbers again, despite currently having no additional space to accommodate them. They told us that the rising pupil numbers is due to a huge amount of residential development happening in their local area, without any new schools being built to accommodate the demand. 

Not only does the school lack space for increased pupil numbers, but like many secondary schools across the UK, their existing buildings are no longer suitable. For this particular school, they are operating in  buildings dating from 1938 - 1974, with only a few smaller ones from the 1990s! No wonder they have started the process of seeking out a solution. Many secondary schools are now looking to supplement their space to meet increasing capacity demands.

The impact

The knock on effect of having outdated school buildings and facilities (or a lack of facilities) is that the existing classrooms are overcrowded, which can impact educational attainment. Larger class sizes can make it difficult for students to focus and receive the same level of support they need from their teachers. This is especially worrying for students with SEND or SEMH who would otherwise benefit from alternative learning environments, smaller group sizes or dedicated support spaces and who do not have the opportunity to access the support or interventions they need. 

It also means that schools don’t have the space availability for effective wellbeing support programmes or activities. This is a deep concern, as more and more teenagers are facing issues with their mental health and wellbeing, with increased reports of students struggling with anxiety, depression and other conditions. With the higher demand for school-based support, this puts increased pressure on secondary schools to provide dedicated wellbeing spaces and facilities. But where does the space come from?

A challenge for many secondary education institutions is expanding space on a budget, while facing tight timelines and wanting to meet sustainability goals or requirements. This isn't helped by the fact that traditional brick and mortar school building projects can be very expensive, disruptive and time-consuming, sometimes taking many months or even years to complete. Thankfully, we have a fast, efficient and cost-effective solution! 

Solution

Our solution to the problems faced by many secondary schools is modular buildings. Cost-effective, timely and designed to meet the specific needs of each secondary school, we can provide the exact space required. Our most popular building style for increasing support space for SEND and wellbeing is our bespoke eco school rooms, but our log cabins are also a great option for secondary schools looking to create a calming and engaging pastoral or learning support space. As for increasing classroom or teaching space capacity, we also offer permanent building solutions, for secondary education settings requiring over 30m² of space. Whatever your requirement, we have a building solution for your school. Along with requesting our digital pricing guide for example project prices, it's always a good idea to chat to a member of our team to see what is possible for your setting. 

Sustainable buildings for secondary education 

Now more than ever, educational institutions are facing pressures to help the UK meet sustainability and net zero goals. This therefore impacts all choices to be made about infrastructure, new buildings and facilities. Rest assured, at Cabins for Schools we are here to help you maintain your school’s sustainability mission. Our team understands the importance of protecting the environment for future generations. That's why from sourcing materials to designing and manufacturing our school buildings, we are committed to minimising our ecological footprint. From using FSC certified sustainably sourced timber to using high-quality insulation materials to enhance the thermal efficiency of your building, your new eco school room or log cabin will contribute to your school’s overall sustainability statement!

Secondary school case study

George Spencer Academy in Nottingham required additional space for SEND and SEMH support on site. They sought out a solution and found our experts at Cabins for Schools. After discussing their requirements for extra space, they opted for one of our 10m² log cabins to create a separate space away from the busy, traditional classroom environment. Their outdoor learning and wellbeing building, 'The Cloud' now supports students each day from across the school. Their headteacher told us:

"there is a growing number of children who have been diagnosed with certain specific learning needs. We were looking for additional space, and to have a space like this where an individual or a few young people can come in and have a totally different environment to the average classroom in their working day is fantastic."

The school have found the space to be a great investment as it's highly versatile too! Their headteacher told us:

"We often hold group interventions in the cabin, where students may have difficulty in initiating a conversation with others. With this setup, it enables them to practice their verbal and nonverbal communication skills, reading facial expressions, gestures, and using eye contact. We also hold social groups and breakfast clubs in there. Furthermore, we've had team meetings, as well as inviting parents in for students’ annual reviews. The list goes on!"

Is your school struggling with overcrowding, capacity issues, or outdated buildings? We have worked with secondary schools like George Spencer Academy all across the country, and we can help yours. Our modular buildings offer a fast, cost-effective way to create the space your students deserve, without the long wait or disruption of traditional construction. Get in touch today to explore your options and start your journey to transforming your space. It's time to future-proof your secondary school!