If your school is feeling the pressure to create additional space, whether for expanding SEND and SEMH provision or accommodating growing pupil numbers, you're probably researching extra classrooms and school building options. Since traditional construction can be very expensive and time-consuming, many schools instead look for flexible, practical and cost-effective education building solutions that can be delivered faster and to a realistic budget. So, we've put together a guide to outline the types of education buildings we offer, from smaller modular school buildings to permanent, building regulations approved solutions for larger scale projects.
Modular classrooms are one of the most flexible and widely used school building solutions for primary and secondary schools across the UK. Also referred to as 'eco school rooms' and 'outdoor classrooms', these educational buildings are built offsite and then installed onsite on your school grounds. They offer a fast, cost-effective alternative to traditional brick and mortar construction or full school extensions.
Modular education buildings create an additional standalone teaching or support space located within the school grounds, the perfect solution for creating space to expand capacity, promote inclusion, and improve access to dedicated, tailored support. Unlike a standard classroom inside the main building, they give schools a separate, calmer environment that can be used flexibly throughout the day.
Schools, nurseries and other educational settings use outdoor modular classrooms in many ways, such as for small group work, interventions, nurture, SEND support, reading groups or pastoral support. Because they are separate from the main building, they often feel quieter and more focused, which can make a real difference for children who struggle in busy, noisy environments.
At Cabins for Schools, we will work with you to create the ideal learning space for your school. We offer our lined and insulated modular school rooms in virtually any size, working in 10cm increments so they're just right for the space available and your intended use. We can also offer partition walls,
We will be able to find the right combination of design and aesthetics so that your school building fits seamlessly into your setting. Our versatile construction methods allow us to place windows and doors almost anywhere on your building and our free design service will bring your vision to life with a full set of 3D drawings.
Cladding Options
We offer a choice of four cladding options. Our composite cladding options include Marley board (available in a range of colours and is A-rated for fire safety) and Knotwood, an aluminium finish which provides the natural look of timber without the upkeep. Each of these are very low maintenance options, practical choices ideal for busy school settings. We also offer the natural timber options of Redwood and Cedar cladding, giving you plenty of choice when designing your perfect modular school room.
For modular classroom buildings, the main installation typically takes between 3-5 days depending on the size of the building. The base, vinyl flooring and painting are each done on separate visits either side of the main build. From the point of order through to your classroom being ready to use, the typical lead time is 8-12 weeks. This can vary depending on our installation schedule and whether planning is required, but we will always give you a realistic timescale upfront.
School cabins are standalone timber buildings designed to give schools additional space outside of the main building. They’re typically installed in playgrounds, school gardens, or outdoor learning areas and can be used all year round as fully enclosed, weatherproof environments. In practice, they act as flexible spaces for a wide range of uses, from small group learning and interventions to forest school sessions, reading nooks, and wellbeing support. Unlike traditional extensions, school cabins can be installed quickly and with minimal disruption, making them a practical way for schools to create extra, dedicated space exactly where it’s needed.
At Cabins for Schools, our school log cabins take inspiration from traditional Scandinavian design, giving them a highly-sought 'hobbit hut' style. The vast majority of schools opt for a cabin with a solar dome to maximise natural light, as they use the cabin to create space for interventions, wellbeing, SEND and nurture. However, we can also install a central BBQ grill unit in your cabin. These are an incredible resource for forest school and bushcraft applications, giving pupils access to fire safety and outdoor cooking opportunities.
Our timber cabins are available in set sizes (10m², 14m² and 17m²). Generally, we advise that our 10m² seats 15, our 14m² seats 21, and our 17m² seats 25.
We can also build your cabin with a storage extension for your learning materials or forest school and outdoor equipment, or a side room extension to create an additional space for 1-1s or to facilitate multiple activities or sessions at once.
We build our cabins using sustainably sourced timber from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified suppliers. These certifications ensure responsible forest management, where more trees are planted than harvested, and fairness is maintained for indigenous populations in those regions. We ensure that our buildings are not only durable but also environmentally responsible. We use Scandinavian redwood, a slow-grown and sustainable timber. This ensures responsible forest management, providing high-quality wood that supports biodiversity and helps combat deforestation.
Our single log cabins are designed with in-the-round layouts which support group discussion and interaction. We offer circular bench seating, allowing pupils to see each other, make eye contact and engage in active listening. In contrast to the traditional classroom layout, having a circular seating arrangement is perfect for discussions, group activity and support sessions where engagement between peers is important. It's great for creating equal opportunities for participation and supports the teaching of turn-taking.
Our square shaped, straight-walled school huts have a smaller footprint of just 3m × 3m. These compact cabins fit neatly into playgrounds, outdoor learning areas, or school gardens, offering a safe and versatile space for pupils.
Unlike our sloping-walled Scandinavian-inspired cabins, these cabins feature straight walls and a square internal layout, making it easy for schools and nurseries to use every inch of space. Shelving, bookcases and display materials can be positioned neatly against the walls, making these school cabins ideal for reading corners, library huts, and focused learning spaces. Plus, they can be installed in just 1 day, making them a rapid education building solution.
They are buildings designed to meet building control regulations. For education building projects that require building regulations compliance, such as full-time teaching rooms, a new early years setting, or where larger sized buildings are required (30m²+), we manage the entire process from design through to approval. Working closely with building control and structural engineers, we ensure every aspect of your new school building meets the latest safety, energy, and accessibility requirements.
Our permanent school buildings are manufactured and installed to the same standards as traditional school construction, with faster delivery, less disruption, and the flexibility to suit your school’s long-term development plan.
- We work with structural engineers to ensure structural integrity (Part A compliance)
- Design and build to meet fire safety standards
- We offer accessibility options, including DDA-compliant doors, ramps, and handrails, ensuring all pupils can access the space safely
- We ensure energy efficiency (We do Part L and SAP calculations, and achieve an EPC A rating)
We manage each project individually to meet the relevant parts of the regulations - from fire safety and structural integrity to energy efficiency and accessibility. We manage building control applications and guide you through every step, ensuring a compliant, safe, and future-ready school building.
At Hitherfield Primary School in London, we designed, manufactured, and installed a permanent building control regulations approved 9.0 m × 6.0 m inclusion cabin, which the school has lovingly named 'the Warren'. This bespoke space provides a calm, flexible environment where pupils can access pastoral interventions, small-group learning, and SEMH support away from the main school build.
Carefully planned to fit the school’s site, 'the Warren' enhances the school’s inclusion provision while remaining fully compliant with Building Regulations, ensuring a safe, durable, and long-term solution for their needs. Check out our case study video!
Not sure whether your project needs building regulations approval? Our team can help you decide whether a standard modular school building or a permanent building regulations–compliant building is right for your school or other educational setting.
A modular sensory room is a bespoke modular building built to your school's desired specifications and kitted out with your choice of specialist sensory equipment in one fully turnkey solution. With a custom modular sensory room, you get a fully tailored sensory environment from building to equipment.
Every sensory cabin we create is designed around the unique needs of your school or setting. We partner with Sensory Technology to offer a wide range of cutting-edge sensory equipment, and you choose exactly what goes into your space. We’ll help you shape a space that works for your pupils, staff and goals.
Interactive Borealis or a Snowstorm Tube
Immersive Walls & Projections
Fibre Optic Harnesses
Interactive Projection Systems (Sensory Floor)
Sensory rooms can have a profound impact on a child’s emotional and physical wellbeing. They provide a space to reduce anxiety, improve focus, enhance sensory processing, and support emotional regulation. By creating a safe and adaptable space, sensory rooms can help students better engage with learning and build resilience throughout the school day.
A well‑designed sensory room can transform a child’s experience of school by providing a space for de‑escalation, focus, and sensory exploration. It can reduce sensory overload, foster emotional resilience, and help build a sense of belonging and security. These spaces are especially valuable for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing needs, and other additional learning needs.
Looking to step inside a real modular sensory room to see one for yourself? We'd encourage you to visit our Nottingham show site to explore a fully installed demonstration sensory room, designed to showcase the latest in sensory technology, combined with the quality craftsmanship of our modular buildings for education.
You'll get a feel for how a purpose-built sensory space could look and function in your school or educational setting. It’s a great opportunity to explore the features up close, discuss your ideas, and get tailored advice from our team of experts.
Our timber workshop buildings are for schools and educational settings looking for a large footprint, warm and practical space solution for year-round workshop use. Cheaper per square metre than a modular classroom, these builds are a budget-friendly solution.
Workshop buildings are ideal for facilitating small group workshops and practical sessions. They're designed to help schools expand their offerings and give pupils more learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. These are dedicated learning spaces where staff can deliver lessons that inspire creativity, problem-solving and build pupils' confidence.
Schools we've installed wooden workshops for are now using them for a wide variety of uses, such as STEM projects, art and design, PSHE, and vocational skills such as mechanics or electrical work. Pictured below is Alfreton Park School's bike shed workshop. In their bike shed, students get to learn essential skills, such as fixing bikes.
If your school is looking for an open-sided wooden structure to provide some shelter from the elements during open-air outdoor leaning activities and forest school sessions, we can provide shelters (also referred to by some as gazebos or canopies).
Whether protection from the rain or a place which provides shade in the sunny months, a school shelter or gazebo is a multifunctional asset to any playground or playing field. Many schools also choose to use their shelters or gazebos to create covered seating areas for outdoor dining at lunchtimes or for parent waiting shelters.
Our structures are perfect for all varieties of educational institutions and cater for all age-groups. Where there is a need for shelter or additional space, a shelter or a gazebo is a quick and cost-effective solution.
Every school is different, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to creating additional space. At Cabins for Schools, we work with schools, nurseries and educational settings across the UK to create practical, high-quality learning environments that genuinely support both pupils and staff to thrive . Whether you need a small outdoor learning hut, a modular sensory room, or a large permanent inclusion building, our team will help you find the right solution for your space, timescale and budget. From the initial design consultation through to installation, we manage the process with minimal disruption to your school day, creating education buildings that are built to last and designed around the way your setting actually works.
If you're exploring options for extra school space, our team is always happy to talk through your ideas and help you decide which type of education building is right for your project. We'd recommend downloading a pricing guide to check project feasibility and find out more about our full range of educational buildings and structures.