THE Croft School would be the first to be built under a pioneering new design which Swindon Council wants to become the model for all new UK schools.

Class Solutions, developed in-house by the council, is a modular, flexible design which utilises connecting timber-framed blocks to easily allow schools to be built, extended and adapted.

Inspired by the principles of housebuilding and aimed at meeting the needs of pupils and teachers, the school is one-third cheaper to build than a traditional school.

It is also quicker to construct, and cheaper to run and maintain.

The design was developed by borough architect Nic Newland and senior architect, Tony Currivan, who were both involved in designing the Central Library.

Mr Newland said: “It’s a unique school design for teaching. Because the point of this is it’s about teaching, first and foremost, it’s not about building a building.

“We will see it in Swindon because I’m going to use the same concept, now that we’ve developed it, on any new schools we do.

“Any new school extensions we do will be following this principle because what we’re trying to achieve is the best teaching environment we can get, for value for money.”

The basic structure uses standard timber-framed blocks, topped with multi-pitched roofs and joined together via link blocks, which can also contain the cloakroom and toilets.

Every school has a main admin block, including a kitchen and reception, as well as a main hall block. Connected to these are the open-plan classroom blocks, which can be divided for different uses by wooden partitions.

Blocks can be easily added for schools of different sizes. Croft School would incorporate five main blocks and four link blocks.

The school, which can be cladded in any material and has a life expectancy of about 60 years, saves money because it does not use a steel frame like most schools, and uses simple techniques, such as standard sized doors and other fittings to generate economies of scale.

The school is designed with children in mind, with low windows, and a system which monitors oxygen levels in classrooms and tells teachers when windows must be opened.

Swindon Council has produced a promotional DVD to pitch the design to other authorities and the Government.

Architects are also working to develop a two-storey version of the design, which could be used in town and city centres.

Mr Newland said: “The drive is to make sure Swindon’s schools are the best. But it’s very nice to help other local authorities and say ‘Here’s the idea, we can do it through more value for money’.

“Looking at the bigger picture, if the Government have to build 500 schools across the country they can build one third more if they use my system. You get three schools for the price of two because it’s cheaper.”