Future of

Schools
This report is a product of collaboration between Arup Foresight, Research and Innovation,
and education experts from Arup and external collaborators. We would like to thank all
Contents
authors and experts for their contributions and dedication.

Executive summary 4
Foresight, Research and Innovation is Arup’s internal think-tank and consultancy which
focuses on the future of the built environment and society at large. We help organisations
understand trends, explore new ideas, and radically rethink the future of their businesses. A different world 6
We developed the concept of ‘foresight by design’, which uses innovative design tools and
techniques in order to bring new ideas to life, and to engage all stakeholders in meaningful
conversations about change. Future skills 10

School models 21
For more information, please email [email protected]

Evolution of the classroom 30

Conclusions 56

Actions and recommendations 58

Contributors 60

References 61

About Arup 67
Released December 2018
Cover Image: Future of Schools ©Arup

13 Fitzroy Street
London W1T 4BQ
arup.com
driversofchange.com
© Arup 2018

2 3
Executive summary

1 2
The future workforce Students and learning
Dr Anne Kovachevich will be built by students spaces need to be
Australasia Foresight who collaborate environmentally mindful
Lead, Arup

Future workers will increasingly work Students need to be mindful of the

with people from different fields and impact of collective and individual actions
backgrounds. This requires a greater on local and global environments.
Equipping students with the skills needed to
understanding of self and community, Sustainable approaches need to be
thrive in a rapidly changing and unpredictable
starting with how students collaborate modelled for students in the educational
work landscape is an ongoing challenge for
in a school environment. system, from facilities to lesson plans.
schools. We have a duty to not simply teach
students what to think, but how to think,
in order for them to deal with growing
complexity. This report identifies the key

3 4
drivers shaping the future of schools, focusing Technology enables new Future school models are
on pre-tertiary education, and how our learning opportunities at self-directed and educate
understanding of education is evolving. home and school for life beyond school

To foster self-directed learning, we can look Online services create new avenues Open learning curriculums provide
at how school environments are becoming for learning which offer opportunities students with the opportunity to
increasingly adaptive and modular and are to reclaim valuable class time for connect academia to their real world
adopting new technologies and sustainability interactive learning. Integrated at school experiences, encouraging lifelong
practices. Open learning — a shift away and at home, technology will provide learning. This learning model instils
from exam-centric objectives — will enable tools to enable student success. proactive behaviour beyond schooling.
more diverse curriculums that focus on the
development of real-world skills and involve
whole community participation. Further, as

5 6
access to online learning platforms continues Schools will be multi- Indoor and outdoor
to grow, we can reconsider how class time is purpose spaces used by spaces need to be
most effectively spent and the environments the whole community modular and adaptable
where learning is best undertaken.
Schools will be shared with the whole A child’s environment is their third
Insights into the challenges faced by students community. Community involvement educator. Schools should provide

© R2K Architectes | Jussi Tiainen

and educators alike demonstrate the need to strengthens support networks, building intimate, self-directed learning and
proactively shape school environments to offer resilient urban systems. Children see collaborative spaces. Schools must also
opportunities that develop future skills and improved outcomes when communities balance indoor and outdoor spaces for
nurture self-reliance. are involved in the education process. children to socialise.

The six key findings of this research are

summarised as follows.

4 5
Introduction
A different world
Future of schools: themes and topics explored

prepare students with the skills to succeed in

a rapidly changing world.

Just as the way we live and work have

“ School will be a become more flexible and adaptable, school
models and space must evolve to reflect
different world within these characteristics. School models should

10 years… If it still
allow for education to be accessible and
inclusive to all while taking advantage of

exists.” technology to create new opportunities

for inclusive and mobile education. School
models that drive more independent
—Professor Neil Selwyn,
thinking often move away from the teacher-
Monash University
led model and allow the student to take a
larger role in guiding their learning.

To support the changing curriculum and

teaching styles the classroom and built
The world is in a constant state of flux. environment must evolve. This adaption is
Automation is changing the jobs market. a complex mix of changes in the physical
It is predicted that 375 million workers space, connection to the wider urban realm
will need to change their occupation by and community and an understanding of the
2030.1 Students need to learn to be ready digital technologies that play an integral part
for new jobs but also to be flexible as the in the schools of the future.
employment landscape continues to change.
There are many examples of jobs that didn’t The themes and topics explored in this
even exist 10–12 years ago: app developers, publication are complex and many overlap,
drone pilots, social media managers.2 This however for the purpose of this study they
evolution of jobs is only going to increase have been identified and classified as shown
as technology advances. Schools need to in the following diagram.

6 7
8
8

© Plan:B arquitectos | Alejandro Arango

 With this in mind, the role of the teacher
in the educational establishment must
also evolve. A move towards teachers
Future skills as educational facilitators, rather than “ With a shifting
providers of knowledge, will encourage
students to become self-aware. In doing so, work landscape...
students will learn to develop appropriate
study skills suited to their individual learning organisations need
to tap into much
styles, equipping them for continual learning
into the future.4

Traditional standardised testing generally

more human skills of
An inquisitive mind for schools. Children must be encouraged
to take control of their own learning and be
focuses on testing memorised information.
Governing bodies use these test results
intuition, empathy,
It is essential that students are innovation and
pushed to source their own knowledge. They
to evaluate the performance of teaching
must be taught to teach themselves.3
exposed to an environment and learning. These comparisons do

that promotes and inspires the

not promote or assess abilities such as creativity to provide
better products and
creativity, innovation and problem-solving.5
development of skills for Curriculums and assessment methods must
“ We can’t give our
the future. evolve to promote these new skills.
services.”
The education system must equip students
children a career to Traditionally school curriculums are —Jon Williams, Financial Review
with the skills necessary to address the
shifting needs of society. To attain these
prepare for, when we designed for the average student, but
Harvard Professor Todd Rose describes
skills, the teaching of content must reflect the don’t know what the this as the “flaw of averages”. Very few
diverse learning styles of the students. students are in fact average.6 Students
future will bring. But learn at different speeds, through different and imagination, to be stimulated in an
The most significant hurdle to providing teaching methods, and have different
we can prepare them
educational setting. In order to achieve this,
students with a competitive edge to succeed interests. Therefore, significant benefits value must be attributed to the process of

to adapt to anything, to
in the global marketplace is the uncertainty can be achieved through modern methods learning, rewarding students for their ideas
of what the future will hold. A future-proof that allow for individualised learning. This and effort, not only for reaching the correct
curriculum can only be based on speculation.
Thus the creation of a rigid curriculum that
learn anything, to solve teaching method is supported by a number
of high profile organisations including the
answer. Technology, when used effectively,
can promote innovative tendencies and equip
only prepares students for the present and anything, and in about Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Gates students with attributes that are needed for
future success.
predictable future is not the answer. Instead, Foundation as well as over 23% of school
educators must work to facilitate students’ 20 years, to thank us district leaders committing to this method
of “personalised, digital learning”.7 One example is the rise of the ‘Maker
for it.”
ability to be adaptable and prepared for the
unknown. Equipping students with an initial Movement’, where students are steered
skillset will provide them with the tools Innovation, technologies and education towards an enhanced understanding of
necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing —Leo Babauta, Zen Habits are fundamental to creating sustainable the technology they use. The premise of
global landscape. Instilling a desire for life- economies.8 Therefore it is desirable for the movement sees the adoption of critical
long learning should be a primary concern innovation capabilities, including creativity thinking skills and traditional DIY principles,

10 11
 Case study

The Fab Lab,

New York

Marymount School in Manhattan dedicates enabling students to use their curiosity to they can instil a fear of failure by teaching
an entire floor to Maker space for students explore, learn and invent.10 This can take that there is a right and wrong answer. This
to tackle real-world projects. Each year, place in the home, a shared working space can lead to anxiety and stress, particularly
the school sets a service project for their or fabrication lab in the school setting. in high achieving students.13 A preferred
seventh-graders. In 2013, they built a light kit Makers seek to reject generic, mass-produced approach would be to encourage students to
for a community centre in Zimbabwe. merchandise, instead utilising open-source share what they have learnt by taking risks
The students researched innovative learning and readily-available personal in “failure clubs” such as in the Standford
solutions in third world countries and chose technology such as 3D printers to enhance University Resilience Project.14
to make a solar-powered ‘sun jar.’ The circuit existing creations or develop and disseminate
boards were manufactured externally, and their own designs.11 To foster entrepreneurial skills, students
completed kits came with instructions to must be provided with an appropriate
teach the end user how to assemble a ‘sun Children are naturally inquisitive.12 physical environment that permits such
jar’, offering a long-term solution rather than Schools need to feed this enthusiasm to actions to take place. The continued creation
the end product. The Maker movement challenge existing norms, however instead of adaptable working spaces can allow an
blurs the traditional separation of subjects, array of group-work related tasks to emerge.
combining maths, engineering, design, By creating room for social interactions,
fabrication, aesthetics and documentation. these adaptable spaces can stimulate student
This gives students the ability to complete networking ability and relationship skills
tasks that solve real problems and to have a
positive social impact.9
“ To succeed, we must by providing appropriate places for social
interaction during breaks. The resulting
make friends with networking and relationship skills are both
considered to be attributes conducive to
failure. Failure makes entrepreneurial success.15

you a better, kinder, The implementation of entrepreneurial

stronger and wiser

tasks as a key component of the school
curriculum will ready students for the

human being. encounters that may take place should they

pursue an entrepreneurial venture. This also
Now, get out there and opens new opportunities for job creation
in a market where the future disruption
fail!”
© Big Picture Learning

to current occupations by automation is

inevitable.16 Ultimately, encouraging the
—Ainissa Ramirez, Edutopia development of human capital that promotes
entrepreneurship will empower youth to
think creatively and ambitiously about the
future they can help to shape.

12 13
 Case study

Green School,
Problem solving, self-evaluation and
Bali important life decisions are facilitated by
critical thinking. Without critical thinking,
students may passively accept information
without questioning it. In the information age
Founded in 2008, this 400-student school where so much data exists it is important that
both practices and teaches sustainability students learn to evaluate information and
principles, including food cultivation, think critically about its authenticity.
waste and water usage, animal husbandry,
and design with renewable resources.
Alongside existing solar panels, the school Global citizens
is developing sustainable hydropower.
The primary structural material is bamboo In an increasingly global world, it is
sourced from the local environment along important for students to learn both their
with rammed earth, mud walls and volcanic position in the world and how to relate with
stone. Reflecting traditional Balinese other cultures. To do this, they need to
architecture, very few buildings have external develop emotional intelligence,
walls allowing the rest to enjoy natural which includes self-awareness, self-
light and ventilation and to forge a closer management, social awareness and
connection between students and the relationship management.18
outside world.17
By becoming self-aware, students can
connect with their emotions and express
themselves appropriately when faced with
new circumstances that might see them
collaborating with students from a diverse
range of backgrounds or interacting via
technology. The development of such a trait
is incredibly valuable in an increasingly
automated environment, equipping students
with the ability to handle interpersonal
relationships empathetically and offer sincere
feedback. This is only one example of an
attribute that humans can offer over artificial
intelligence and robotics.

In addition, it is vital that students learn

© Green School

tolerance for one another and to appreciate

each other’s unique experiences, so as to
create respect in an expanding multicultural

14 15
society. Students who are socially aware, rooftop greenspaces will deliver vital access Case study
Case study
have a willingness to learn new things, and to the outdoors and will cultivate the feeling
be accepting of unknown cultures and ideas
will be capable of becoming world citizens,
of connection between students and nature,
whilst promoting a healthier lifestyle. Australian Churchie,
eChallenge Brisbane
who are prepared to tackle the unknowns of
the future.19 Schools also hold responsibility for assisting
in the shaping of students’ attitudes towards
The health and wellbeing of students should the consumption of food and their daily
be of paramount importance to schools of eating habits. To help with the adoption
today and the future. Individuals who value of a healthier lifestyle, school canteens
their bodies and strive to care for themselves should offer a variety of nutritious options.
physically and mentally will have more Initiatives such as integrating food products
ability to adapt and thrive.20 sourced by school vegetable gardens that are
grown and cared for by the students would

© University of Adelaide
With the increased prevalence of obesity grant them responsibility and the opportunity

© Churchie School
and diabetes worldwide21, it is crucial that to work as part of a team. Alongside a
physical activity continue to be included in continual learning of health and wellbeing in
schools of the future. In doing so, schools the classroom, individuals can become aware
solidify their role in counteracting the of their own needs and how to effectively
vulnerabilities caused by insufficient care for themselves.
physical activity.22
Today’s children are our future leaders. As
The Australian eChallenge, established by Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School,
Future schools must also consider the such, there is a vital need to learn sustainable
the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and nicknamed ‘Churchie,’ is seen as a prestigious
connection between classrooms and the living practices and responsible consumer
Innovation Centre (ECIC) at the University of school and consistently achieves outstanding
outdoors with the potential to integrate habits among students to curb the harmful Adelaide, has introduced young students to academic results, adopting a problem solving
outdoor learning spaces into daily teaching anthropogenic impact on the natural world. entrepreneurship since 2001. The Australian and project-based nature. The school sees the
practices. This has been shown to have a Non-renewable resources will become eChallenge is a step in the right direction for importance of not only focussing on academic
positive impact on mental wellbeing.23 increasingly scarce in the future should our future skill development, allowing participants achievement but also in building character
current dependency continue. It is necessary to probe early-stage ventures through and resilience. Churchie has partnered
Unwell workers reduce the economic output for future generations to learn to do more collaborative interaction with team members, with Swinburne University to research the
by as much as 15%, and therefore wellness with less. This can be achieved through networking opportunities and mentorship. importance of emotional intelligence further
has grown to be a US$43.3 billion market teaching sustainable practices centred on the South Australian schools can enter teams and have identified that adolescence is
of 2-6 students who submit a business plan the most critical time in a boy’s emotional
globally.24 It is crucial that schools follow in conservation, protection and regeneration of
with the support of local experts. Teams pitch intelligence development. Comprehensive
the footsteps of the corporate marketplace resources with the educational system leading
their proposals to judges who are business emotional intelligence programmes are provided
by integrating wellness initiatives to ensure by example. professionals within the community. Such an throughout the curriculum, to prepare students
that students have the ability to maximise initiative responds to the need for a skills- for any future struggles.26
their productivity and learning opportunities The design of future schools with oriented programme that promotes the
whilst at school. sustainable building practices in mind will development of ideas that seek to solve issues
expose students to approaches that reduce that deeply concern students.25
The integration of vertical farming and dependency on non-renewable energy

16 17
sources. The integration of passive heating AI, robots are now able to recognise human Case study
Case study
and cooling systems alongside renewable emotions, their complex nature means that
energy sources in the school context can
normalise sustainable practice and create
the ability for a robot to empathise is a long
time away if not impossible to achieve. KANO, Wootube,
Montenegro Sydney
more environmentally conscious students.

The whole student Key takeaways

Data is known as the “new oil” with a

quintrillion bytes being produced every day. 1 Technically skilled
Up until recently technology companies
had rarely been held accountable for poor Students understand how the systems
data handling however, the Facebook behind the technology they use
Cambridge Analytic scandal is thought to be operate, tailoring their experience
a turning point.27 From now on it is likely through coding.
that technology companies will be expected

© Eddie Woo
to be responsible with data management

© KANO
and to do this correctly will require a deep 2 Environmentally mindful
understanding of ethics.
Aware of the impact their actions
Ethics are the moral principles that guide our have on their surroundings, students
actions. AI’s will be programmed to analyse are more likely to adopt life-long KANO is a learning kit used in a similar way to Eddie Woo is the head teacher of mathematics
the abundance of data that exists in order to sustainable practices. Lego, where children teach themselves through at Cherrybrook Technology High School in
be able to understand it and use it to improve practical building. It is a computer designed for Sydney, Australia. He films his classes and
our designs. Programmers will be required to ease of construction, building apps and learning uploads them to his YouTube channel which is
write code that is unbiased and fair, and they how to code. KANO is run on the Raspberry Pi available for students and teachers to access
3 Collaborative learners
will be required to treat the data that they platform, a customisable single-board computer around the world. His website acts as a
have available to them with great care.28 that allows the user to add components. In database for teachers and students to access
Working with others from different
adopting such practices, a number of future his videos as well as a platform for hosting
backgrounds and experiences fosters
Empathy is now recognised as an important skills can be encouraged whilst capitalising on forums where teachers can ask questions about
a greater understanding of self
skill to learn at school. According to a young people’s imagination and curiosity.30 running classes and using his materials in their
and community, on emotional and
leading researcher in the field, Dr Karen own lessons.31
intellectual levels.
Gordan, empathy can be considered in three
components: the head, the heart and the
hand. This means that students must first
understand what it means to share another’s
feelings but also to feel those feelings and
take action as a response.29 Although with

18 19
 Introduction
School models

Power to the student New school models change the emphasis

from exam results to self-directed learning
It is imperative that our schools and foster the idea that education is a
lifelong pursuit. There is a rise in models
create graduates who hold the
that accommodate a student’s personal
essential skills and knowledge interests, aspirations and family environment.
necessary for future success. In these models, personalised learning
objectives take precedence over adhering
To achieve this, school models to a rigid curriculum. Blended models that
of the past are evolving and new find the optimal balance between learning
approaches will most likely see great
models are emerging. success in future schools.

Open learning models allow students to

determine the path of their own education
“ Every learning and address their needs as they perceive

experience is about
them. An educational system that is
generically streamlined does not allow

getting the pupils to for this level of personal exploration,

resulting in graduates that lack clear goals
have an emotional and career direction post-school.32 The
effect of this extends to the workforce.
connection to it Only 30% of Americans are ‘engaged’
in their work which is defined as
because if the heart is “emotionally invested in their work and
© Bethany Catholic school

excited then the mind

focused on helping their organisations
improve”. The rest are unmotivated or

always remembers.” unhappy and, in-turn, not productive.33

Open learning allows children to flourish

—Ivanka Rancic, Delany College
in chosen areas where they feel emotively
connected and enthusiastic about their

20 21
 Case study

SOLE, New Delhi

studies. To develop this, schools are giving
students increased control over how and what
to New York
they learn. Many alternative school models
believe that a student-directed model can
overcome the challenge of predicting future Dr Sugata Mitra conducted an experiment in
skills by giving students more say in their Kalkaji by placing a computer in a ‘hole-in-
educational journeys. The Sudbury model, the-wall’ and observing how children, armed
for example, treats students as adults, with curiosity, were seen to teach themselves.
The participating children learned the basics
letting them be involved with all decisions
of computing by becoming their own teachers
including budgeting, administration
to the point that they developed their own
and disciplining.34 terminology for things like a “cursor”. The term
SOLE (Self-Organised Learning Environment)
Many education models revolve around was coined to describe environments where
cradling children’s innate passion for students taught themselves, independently
learning by providing children with the or in groups, through online technology.37
resources and environment for learning Following repeat experiments, The School
without putting a traditional teacher in in the Cloud was established as a platform
place. The role of a teacher is shifting; they to share experiences from SOLE sessions
around the world. Here, we see the children
should demonstrate how to learn as opposed
of PS 197 in Harlem, New York, posing their
to dictating what to learn.35 By giving
own questions to research and presenting
students increased independence, we can their findings to each other.38
ideally nurture young children’s curiosity
into lifelong learning habits and self-reliance.

The school environment should facilitate

self-driven learning and inspire children
to explore their interests in spaces filled
with natural light, order and beauty. School
environments should also house authentic
tools and materials that signify to children
that they are considered capable.36 Alternative
school models such as Montessori, Reggio
Emilia, Sudbury, Harkness, and Steiner,
all challenge traditional school models by
championing adaptive environments and
working collaboratively with students to

© Juan Arredondo
develop personalised curriculums.

22 23
 Family
Case study Case study

Oak Hill School, Khan Academy, Advisor Student

California California
Mentor

Strong school support networks for students. Schools need to develop strong support networks
to facilitate self-directed learning with teachers advising students’ personal pursuits and
mentors providing expert knowledge 41

Supported learning Methods of educating in Asia tend to be

more strict than westernised approaches.
© Khan Academy
© Oak Hill School

The Maths Mastery approach is a method

of education that uses physical props to
“ Students in schools encourage problem solving when teaching
mathematics. The method requires students
with a strong sense of to meet a 90% mastery threshold before
progressing to new skills. It has been used
Oak Hill School for children with special needs, The Khan Academy is a free, online education community are more since 1968 in Singapore and China, and has
in San Anselmo, California, provides a unified service. Flexible, mobile learning empowers seen more limited application in the UK.43 A
educational environment, where all needs are students around the world and benefits likely to be academically recent study by University Collage London
catered for within one place. Autistic children disadvantaged communities in particular.
motivated; to act
and University of Cambridge, found that
can find mainstream school difficult and often The system can be personalised to allow children using this method increased their
their needs are not catered for. While carers
have to taxi children to and from necessary
each student to learn at their own pace by
tracking results and highlighting strengths and
ethically; to develop speed of learning by around 10%.44

appointments, their time in education is lost.

Schools such as Oak Hill School provide a more
weaknesses. As has been demonstrated in a
programme called AltSchools, this tracking is
social and emotional The flipped classroom model involves
consuming educational material outside
manageable environment where all attendees also valuable to parents and supports parental competencies; and of the classroom through technology and
feel included, however, it is expensive and, involvement, which has been proven to providing opportunities during class time
because of this, not accessible to all.39 increase performance and school attendance to avoid a number of to gain a deeper understanding through
independently of income or background.40 discussion and collaborative problem-solving.
problem behaviors” This flexible model rethinks how to most
effectively use the precious contact time
—Eric Schaps, between teachers and students.45 Clintondale
Creating a School Community High School in Detroit implemented the
flipped classroom school-wide in 2011.
Following the flip in 2011, Principal Greg

24 25
 Case study

Forest school,
Green stated “On average we approximated
a 30% failure rate…with flipping, it dropped
communities have positive academic and
social outcomes for all parties.
UK
to under 10%.” One advantage reported
by students is that they often feel shy to Primarily, schools should address the
ask questions in class; but with a flipped community which feeds them, to which they Deeper connections with nature are thought
classroom, they can watch videos numerous form a vital service. Secondly, schools across to have further benefits. Forest schools
times until they gain a sound understanding.46 the globe need to respond to their immediate offer an innovative educational approach
environment. Schools that are integrated into which is set in woodland environments.
Student’s comfort with technology is a the community and take advantage of the The approach follows the belief that being
connected to nature is nurturing, therapeutic
significant reason to employ the flipped facilities and environment surrounding them,
and educational, providing an ideal, healthy
model. Students practice self-directed for social and educational purposes, will form
and natural base for a child’s education.
learning by engaging with reading, audio a greater connection with their community. They aim to inspire and encourage students
and video material at their own convenience through outdoor experiences, capitalising on
in a comfortable format. With an incredible Knowledge of and respect for different the positive benefits of engaging with nature.51
quantity of information available online, a cultures and disabilities should be instilled in
new kind of learning is available. staff and students and anti-social behaviours
must not be tolerated, in order to create
Future schools have a responsibility beyond a harmonious learning environment. In
education. They must prepare students for addition, facilities must be accessible to all
living as socially responsible citizens and and not put any student at a disadvantage.
respond to the needs of the ‘whole child’.47 Additional facilities, to cater for religious
acts and individual needs, such as a space for
Schools often act as a community’s central prayer or an accessible ramp, should be made
hub, where people of all generations can available when required.
congregate for educational and community
events. The community school model was As student needs adapt and change, school
developed by The Christian Aid Society to buildings must form flexible and adaptable
denote schools where physical assets and environments to cater for variance in specific
human resources are shared.48 student needs and an evolving education
system. For example, they need to have
Increased community involvement provides the opportunity for expansion, should the
opportunities for students to access new population grow, to avoid exclusion of children
technologies and share facilities in new for which there is no room.
ways.49 Providence Mount St. Vincent, in
Seattle, offers a pre-school inside a nursing As each and every student is different,
home with residents taking on the role of education should be tailored and allow
teachers.50 Collaborative spaces that build students to progress at their own pace.

© Forest school
relationships between schools, families and Providing generic lessons which are too

26 27
 Case study

Innova Schools, easy for some could lead to boredom and

disinterest, where work which is too difficult
Peru can cause frustration.

Schools must be accessible to all, cater for

disabled students and have facilities for
The global consulting firm IDEO have religious acts. In addition, school buildings
designed the Innova Schools system in Peru must cater for a large variance of activity,
where standardised education was failing. which may be performed by the community.
The entire school system of classrooms,
curriculum and teacher-training strategies
were developed simultaneously resulting in
a scalable school model. The tech-heavy
school design is adaptable and modular; Key takeaways
a champion for blended learning models.
There are now twenty-nine Innova schools
throughout Peru. In 2013, the national 1 Shift to open learning
average of students that reached proficiency
in federal maths exams was 17%. Second- Future skills are attained through
grade students in Innova schools had a 61% self-directed learning, providing
proficiency rate which illustrated the direct students with flexible learning
effect of Innova schools on education.52 environments that are tailored to
individual needs and interests.

2 Community spaces

Create opportunities for students

to relate their skills to real world
problems and careers, fostering
engaged workers and communities.

3 Integrating new technology

© Enrique Castro-Mendívil

Online services create a new form

of school, forcing us to re-evaluate
how we spend precious class time
by flipping the traditional model.

28 29
 Case study

Ørestad Gym,
Copenhagen
Evolution of the classroom
More than 1,100 students at Ørestad
Gymnasium spend half their time learning in
an expansive glass cube. By encouraging
students to collaborate in wide, open
settings, the school hopes students will
take on an active role in their own education
and be equipped to think flexibly on diverse
In light of this, the school building must also topics. Headmaster Allan Kjær Andersen
operate as a teacher of sustainability and states that “It’s not enough to give them
should be designed in a way that highlights knowledge, you also have to give them a
“ Successful educators sustainable practice. Too often, unnecessary way of transforming knowledge into action.”
energy and effort are being put into creating The open spaces which are adorned with
need to rethink the a consistent internal environment for schools; ‘drums’ allow students to break off and

entire model of
one that is unnatural, unsustainable and for form makeshift classrooms with movable
which the necessity must be questioned. walls and bookshelves; the space is at once

education and redesign A greater focus on involving students in

collaborative and intimate.54

it so that it is more controlling the internal environment can

inform them about environmental factors
student-centered.” and the built environment, and normalise
sustainable practice.
—Ethan Dunwill, eLearning Industry
The addition of interactive environments,
where objects to see, hear and touch are
integrated into learning spaces, should keep
students alert but not overstimulated. By
providing an environment where students can
The physical space interact with their surroundings, it is possible
for students to drive their own personalised
The physical environment has such an impact education experience.
on its occupants that it has been described as
a ‘third teacher’. The quality and feel of the As students spend so much of their day at

© Alfredo Hernando
space can enhance learning. Good daylight, school it is very important that these places
air quality and comfort have all been proven are healthy environments. A healthy space
to improve learning and concentration by needs an optimal mix of climatic conditions.
at least 16%.53 It should be thermally comfortable, have

30 31
 Case study

St George’s
School, Perth adequate light levels and good air quality.
Related to the quality of air, there should be
A lack of available funds means that for
many schools, retrofitting can be achieved
an adequate air change rate, to prevent the through a phased approach. However, less
Arup was involved in the modification of a build-up of pollutants and reduce the spread costly initiatives can still create extensive
1980s office building in the Perth CBD. Here of disease between occupants. change to the school environment.
the St George’s Anglican Grammar School Technology-centred approaches such as
settled and created the first inner-city school Beyond climatic conditions, the enabling entire-school internet connectivity
in Perth in over 100 years. The school’s psychological effect of a space should be through Wi-Fi can facilitate new learning
location was chosen for its proximity to carefully considered. In the media today, it models. The Department of Education in
public transport for staff and students is not unfamiliar to learn of instances where Nepal has developed a comprehensive plan
accessibility. The adaptive retrofit project school attendees have become victims of for retrofitting 900 school buildings in the
resulted in a learning space that enabled depression, for various reasons. Inclusive Kathmandu Valley in five years and 60,000
student collaboration and physical activity. and empowering environments that promote buildings in the whole country in the next 15
A 360sqm external deck with basketball collaboration can assist in improving student years. They have adopted a phased approach
hoops was created at roof level, covered by mental health.56 to each retrofitting project beginning with
cable netting, to allow children to play and the most critical requirements and later
prevent balls from falling. Sun shading was Internationally, some schools are not even proceeding with additional developments.58
provided and the lift extended up to the roof safe places due to poor construction methods
level. Students can take in panoramic views and environmental risks. For example, in Schools need to allow students to
from the roof deck and undertake a range Ghana there is a moderate seismic risk and connect with nature in a range of ways.
of outdoor activities. This shows a good low-quality buildings. These schools should Even just being able to look out a window
example of how spaces can be utilised in a be a focus for good construction because onto greenery has been shown to have
vertical school model.55 in the event of a natural disaster they can positive effects on mental health and
not only provide a safe refuge for students concentration levels.59
This example of retrofitting was designed but also become a safe place for the wider
to accommodate future expansion of the community to take refuge.57 Urban greening has advantages including
school. Plans were put in place for the reducing air pollution, alleviating urban heat
number of students at St George’s to double As we work to develop a more sustainable island effect and mitigating acoustic effects.60
between 2015 and 2017. future, it is necessary that we examine the All these aspects are important for schools as
potential to retrofit existing building stock. traditionally many schools have significant
Retrofitting ensures that a school’s learning hard stand areas that make them less
spaces can meet the functions and needs of comfortable. With climate change impacts
its future users. This in turn establishes areas increasing, urban heat island effects will
that evolve over time in line with the learning become more significant and will need to be
models that best meet student learning styles. addressed through urban greening solutions.
© St George’s School

Redeveloping a school entirely to adopt a

new learning approach can prove risky if
unsuccessful and financially draining.

32 33
 Case study

Floating school,
Portable, pre-fabricated buildings were
traditionally used to cope with peaks and
removed or relocated, ensuring building
services and technology are capable of
Lagos
troughs in enrolment numbers. This means catering for a change in load; making
that they were commonly poorly connected provisions for upgrading technology as it A floating school in Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria,
with the remaining school and had poor advances; ensuring furniture and resources was built in response to the rising water levels
environmental performance, acoustics, are lightweight, easily transported and of the lagoon in which it is built. The exemplar
lighting and air quality, creating an functional, allow to control light levels, school is a communal learning space open
undesirable internal environment. However, temperature and air quality to cater for to all ages. The school has a capacity of 100
advances in modular design mean there is the different uses and environmental changes; students, provides 1000 square feet of space
opportunity to create well-designed modules and consider climatic conditions that may be and has in-built services including toilets,
which are purposeful, can be mass produced, affected by climate change in the design of play areas and classrooms, spread across
easily transported and overcome the school facilities. the three storey structure. It is estimated
perceived environmental limitations. They that the population of 28 African countries
can be built off-site for reduced disruption to Good acoustics are vital for successful will double by 2050 and this floating school
an existing school, as well as being adaptable, learning environments, both for ensuring provides a model for desperately needed
allowing relocation or modification to meet the instructor’s voice is not drowned, and schools in areas suffering from unstable
changing requirements. Efficient production unwanted noise is reduced. If it is difficult water levels.62
also means that construction waste can be to hear, students will become tired of
reduced by up to 40% making this a more trying and lose concentration or interest.
sustainable construction method.61 Attention span increases with age, so it is
particularly important for young children to
As the curriculum adapts and we step have limited distractions. For children with
forward into the unknown future of English as a second language or with hearing
education, it is vital that schools are flexible difficulties, this problem is amplified. It is
to cater for variance in teaching purpose, currently popular to promote connectivity
styles and trends and have the capacity to in buildings with open spaces or large
adapt for major changes in future needs. atriums. For schools, extra care needs to be
School buildings for the future have to cater taken to design these spaces so that acoustic
for an unknown curriculum and activities; distractions are suitably managed. Individual
they should also be open to a complete spaces need to be acoustically designed for
change of use, should the school no longer their intended purpose.
be required. The key to creating schools that
achieve this goal is to design buildings which Design criteria for schools often look to
can be easily transformed. create a constant environment maintaining
tight thermal set points. This often restricts
There are ways in which the flexibility and possibilities for natural ventilation. Although
adaptability of a building can be improved. air conditioning may be desirable at times,

© Makoko school
These include: structural design that allows effort should be made to have operable
for changes in loads, lightweight non- facades as a degree of environmental
loadbearing partitions which can be easily variation is pleasurable and natural, like a

34 35
 Case study

Flexible learning
spaces, Bendigo summer breeze. This is what Arup’s Lisa
Heschong, calls “thermal delight.”64

Some benefits of connecting the internal

The advantages provided by the outdoor and external environments are obvious, for
environment are working to achieve a greater example, the availability of natural light
connection is achieved. The Montagne and fresh air circulation through openings.
Centre at the Marist College Bendigo, is Exterior views provide a connection with
an award winning project, created by Y2 the external environment and allow people
Architecture. The main aim of the project to sense the outdoor climate and time of day.
was to bring down the learning boundaries These benefits come with challenges that
created by the physical environment and need to be managed, such as unwanted glare
allow learning to take place everywhere. and heat gain/loss. Good design and advances
In addition to promoting outdoor learning, in technology, such as glass performance, has
the project is an exemplar in community overcome many issues, so these benefits can
integration and providing flexible spaces.63 be enjoyed.

With increased urbanisation schools are

more commonly located closer to or within
business areas. This provides the opportunity
for the schools to integrate within the
city including getting students to do work
experience at local businesses or alternatively
for industry professionals to teach some
classes. Further opportunities for integrating
within a city include shared facilities such
as swimming pools and gyms or school
classrooms being used for community
meetings, training or flexible workspaces
when not being utilised by the school.

Vertical schools are high-rise schools, often

located in inner-city blocks. They extend
upwards, as opposed to outwards, in response
to the lack of available greenfield space in
dense urban areas. We have seen the high rise
residential tower and the high rise commercial
or office tower, now high rise schools are
© Bill Conroy

emerging. There is a strong benefit from a

city planning viewpoint that vertical schools

36 37
should be the future, however, there are There are potential risks with this level of
concerns over the impact on student health. connectivity including security, cost and Case study Case study
privacy. Also bullying is a key concern
Two of the major concerns in the design of in schools. The Alannah and Madeline Chromville, Popar,
vertical schools are student movement and Foundation in Australia has reported that
acoustics. Vertical schools have considerably
more students and therefore young or shy
one in four students is bullied and one in five
are victims of cyberbullying.67 Therefore, all
Spain USA
students may find navigating the space online activity, including digital learning,
intimidating. They may easily lose their must be closely supervised.
way resulting in them being late for class.
Therefore, wayfinding is important as well as Flexible displays have the potential to reshape
detailed planning around timetables. Good how classrooms look with screens as thin
acoustic design is required in order to ensure as a sheet of paper.68 Also, multi-touch LCD
the sound levels are suitable for learning in screens continue to increase in size and reduce
certain places. in cost making them available for many uses
including throughout classrooms. These can
be used to make classes more interactive and
Digital learning entertaining. Utilising screens instead of

© Chromville
printed material also means that the content

© Popar
Many students are equipped with their own can be easily updated, and tailored to the
digital devices which means that they can specific needs of each audience.
connect and learn anywhere and at any time.
When remote learning is used appropriately, it Augmented reality (AR) has the ability to
Chromville is an education tool that combines Popar has developed augmented reality
can have great benefits including flexibility of transform education by overlaying digital
physical creative practices and digital education products that change the way
location or allowing students to learn content information onto a user’s environment.
augmented reality experiences. The Chromville students experience play, stories, puzzles and
from home. This frees up school time for AR has the potential to improve student
package offers teachers a set of printable learning. Their smart toys, books, puzzles and
more collaborative work with their peers or learning by making education more fun and
colouring sheets as well as a class application charts come to life with animations, games
focusing on specific areas with their teachers. allowing for more detailed information to be
that enables students to view and engage and reading activities. These products are
experienced. Pokemon Go highlighted the
with their coloured creations in a whole new designed to improve the way that students
Gartner is predicting that by 2020, 21 appetite for this type of technology with 15
way. Students colour in the sheets and then learn and retain information, build listening
billion devices will be connected to the million downloads in its first week setting a
view them through a smart device to play a comprehension and stimulate cognitive
internet of things.65 Schools will be part new record for the app store.69 One area where
game or complete an activity. The augmented development. The founders, Scott Jochim and
of this revolution. Connected devices this technology is particularly useful is in
reality models are customised based on how Robert Siddell, identified that young children
already include whiteboards, lighting, air schools for deaf and hard-of-hearing students
the students coloured their drawings on the learn best through play and doing what they
conditioning, temperature sensors, printers where AR can be used to create flashcards that
colouring sheet. This education tool aims to enjoy. Their products have been designed to
and personal devices. In the future, this will use sign language.
improve children’s creativity, increase motivation this philosophy and have engaged students in
grow to include wellbeing sensors, attendance
when engaging with education, accelerate classrooms around the world.71
tracking and digital fabrication equipment.66
early learning processes and encourage social
interaction with the use of digital technology.70

38 39
 Case study

No.11 High School, Forecasts suggest that the worldwide artificial

Hangzhou intelligence market (AI) will be worth US$9

billion by 2025, an approximately a 30-fold
increase in 10 years.73 This technology offers a
range of potential applications in education to
make learning both richer and more efficient.
The Hangzhou No.11 High School has
AI could be used to assist with anything from
installed facial recognition cameras into its
basic assistance, such as grading exams,
classrooms. These cameras feed data to a
to more advanced tasks such as tailoring
‘smart classroom behaviour management
educational modules, and even acting as
system’ that is able to record students’
support teachers. Although the true skills of
attendance as well as how they experience a
teachers are unlikely to ever be fully matched,
class. A student’s experience of a class can
AI will continue to evolve and increasingly
be determined by the emotions recognised
assist in the schools of the future.
by the camera. The camera is capable of
recognising and differentiating between
Biometric facial recognition can be used in
happy, angry, fearful, confused and upset
schools for many applications. In St. Louis
expressions. Every thirty seconds, the
High School in the USA it is used for security;
system records student actions such as
the system recognises staff and students
writing, reading, raising a hand or being
and will therefore not allow unrecognised
asleep at their desk. This data is then
people to access the site.74 This technology
collated and can be viewed by teachers to
has also been used to track attendance and
track a student’s attendance, engagement
is now emerging as a way to find out more
and experience of their class.72
information about what students are doing
and further profiling. However, children are
already the most data-mined section of society
which raises questions about the ethical use
and security of this information.75
© Shutterstock

40 41
 Case study Case study

Virtual teachers, Robotics in

New Zealand learning, New York

© Hanson Robotics
Soul Machines
©©Chromville

‘Will’ is a virtual educator powered by machine The Bina48 robot was developed by Hanson
learning to teach primary school students. This Robotics as a learning AI that can present
project was a collaboration between Vector, a information, respond to human conversation
New Zealand based energy distributor and Soul and learn from these conversations. This robot
Machines, New Zealand’s leading AI company. co-presented an ethics philosophy lecture
Will can interact with children from a desktop, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in
tablet, or mobile, and helps them to learn about August 2018. When students asked questions
renewable energy such as geothermal, solar during the presentation, Bina48 would respond
and wind. Will uses Soul Machines’ Artificial to their question before continuing with the
Nervous System, a platform that is modelled lecture. It was concluded that the robot might
on the way the human brain and nervous not be best suited for West Point since it didn’t
system work, to bring his digital human face keep pace with the class. It may provide greater
and persona to life. Will is able to learn from benefits in countries with lower literacy rates or
the students he interacts with and adapt his in facilitating other forms or education such as

© Sevenoaks School
presentation and teaching style to their unique primary schooling.77
needs and preferences.76

42 43
 Case study

High Tech High Schools in the community

School, California
Some communities are built around the
school as they start children on their learning
journey, connect parents and families, initiate
High Tech High School in San Diego sees lifelong friendships and become places for
the importance of collaborating with the people to return for further study.
wider community. The school strengthens
its ties with the community by finishing Schools can be in a range of physical forms;
every project with a public exhibition. including high rise schools in city centres
The external audience encourages the or smaller buildings in residential areas.
students to put greater effort into the Learning can occur in many places, ranging
display and invites people into the school, from classrooms to community gardens.
strengthening the relationship and spiking Teaching environments can be highly
community interest.78 digitised or low tech. This complex range
of educational elements weaves together to
create the fabric of a community.

When a school is well integrated with

a community, children can familiarise
themselves with the school setting through
pre-school activities. Throughout school
life, students are more likely to attend
consistently and take on an active role in
the wider community. Families become
more engaged with their child’s education,
through the shared use of facilities which
results in a supportive, desirable and stable
environment. Children are more social,
achieve academically and have good physical
and mental health.

Schools form part of the building blocks

of our cities and towns. It is impossible to
© High Tech High School

consider schools as isolated buildings where

students spend their days. Learning is done
in multiple forms across the city, throughout
the day. The following infographic highlights
multiple elements that come together to form
a complex matrix of initiatives present when
we consider the future of schools.

44 45
 8
Schools of
the Future 9
Creating adaptable,
collaborative and sustainable
learning environments 16

12 15

13

1 6

10

1 Flexible, adaptable spaces

2 Vertical schools 14

3 Portable classrooms 2

4 Innovation labs
7
11
5 Access to industry

6 Active lifestyles

7 Outdoor spaces

8 Community gardens
4
9 Green initiatives

10 Environmental sensors

11 Enhanced wellbeing

12 Intelligent acoustics

13 Maker spaces

14 Online connectivity
5
15 Artificial intelligence

16 Augmented reality

46 47
 1 2 Case study

Flexible, adaptable
spaces Vertical schools
Modular school,
Colombia
It is vital for schools to be both adaptable As our urban centres densify to accommodate
and flexible. They should be flexible to more people, land becomes scarce and the
cater to varied teaching styles, a range of need to build upwards becomes necessary, The Timayui School by Giancarlo Mazzanti,
activities and the differing numbers and even for schools. High rise schools in cities in Colombia, was built for children belonging
needs of students. They should also be able have many advantages, as more students can to displaced communities by the civil conflict
to adapt over time to different functions and be accommodated, and more facilities can in Colombia. The design employs a modular
long-term changes. Schools can do this by be provided in one place. Rooftops can be system, allowing elements to be added,
incorporating features such as moveable potential areas for outdoor spaces such as depending on the number of students and
walls or lightweight movable furniture. sports fields. Being embedded in cities also space requirements and aims to reflect
Spaces should also be designed to allow for provides opportunities such as connections the connection between families, students
evolving technology. with surrounding businesses. Grouping so and teachers. This modular school design
many students in one building can bring demonstrates the potential to mass-produce
logistical issues as younger children are purposeful and successful learning spaces.79
harder to organise than adults.

3 4

Portable classrooms Innovation labs

Learning will become a more decentralised Innovation can be nurtured and expressed
activity along the lines of teleworking. from a young age, if provided with the tools
Students are able to take their learning and space to do so. Spaces in schools where
sources on the go with modern laptops and students are free to express their creativity
smart devices. They are always connected and problem-solving skills can be valuable
to the web that contains a vast number of for identifying where a student’s strengths
resources which can continue their learning lie. These are spaces where students have
outside of the classroom. Public places of opportunities to make, hack, program,
study such as libraries and desk spaces only design, produce and build. An innovation lab
enhance a student’s ability to be able to work will serve as a place to express passions and
and learn from anywhere. even discover new ones through self-directed
exploration. Ideally, these labs are tied into

© Jorge Gamboa
the student’s curriculum rather than being
just an isolated programme.

48 49
 5 6
Case study

Active lifestyles
Rosa Parks School Access to industry

Garden, California
Students can reinforce their learning by Schools have an important role in supporting
applying real case studies to their theoretical active lifestyles in students. Regular exercise
Students at Rosa Parks Elementary School knowledge. Having access to real industry for students can greatly enhance their ability
in San Diego, California, where 54.5% of partners can greatly assist with this. Industry to learn as well as support their health and
families earn incomes below the poverty representatives may be able to provide guest wellbeing. Achieving a balance of learning
level, enjoy the benefits of a community talks and share experience with students and recreational/active time is needed for a
garden at their school. The students were that will be relevant for an industry they student’s development both cognitively and
involved in the design, creating a garden may be interested in exploring. In future physically. Structured physical activities can
containing flowerbeds and compost, employment and working environments, be a great way to reduces stress in students
planting beds for vegetables and herbs, it will become more important to have an as well as promote a healthy lifestyle
a bird bath and feeder for natural insect established network of people that you can from a young age. Teamwork skills can be
control. The students maintain the garden gain knowledge from. Establishing some of developed through organised sport and will
and organised a farmers market, where these networks in early education can be very translate into effective collaboration in
the crops are distributed to students valuable later on in a student’s career. the classroom.
and families. The children chose to grow
crops desired by their local community. In
addition, the garden is used for interactive 7 8
lessons on “health and nutrition, science,
mathematics, ecology and agriculture.”80
Outdoor spaces Community gardens

Outdoor spaces are useful for both recreation Community gardens offer significant benefits
and learning in school environments. and can be aligned to improve learning
Some of the results that come from outdoor outcomes. Students can learn practical skills
learning are enhanced social/personal and knowledge required to grow food. The
development, growth in the ability to value of sharing and preparing food together
overcome adversity and the development of a is experienced while mutual respect is
deeper relationship with nature. These spaces developed as students work alongside their
are primarily used for recreation by students peers and teachers. Encouraging healthy
and provide many physical and cognitive eating habits in students is important for
benefits. Achieving a balance of physical and managing obesity rates as the consumption of
© Rosa Park School

learning time is important for maintaining fast food products becomes more prominent
physiological wellbeing. By providing green in younger demographics. Gardening has also
spaces, schools often see improvement in been shown to contribute to student’s mental
students’ mental health. health and overall wellbeing.

50 51
 9 10 Case study

Environmental
Green initiatives sensors Nature Bridge,
California
Sustainable initiatives are important for Environmental sensors are increasingly
schools as they can reduce operational available and affordable. These can be used
costs, save greenhouse gas emissions and to measure and monitor attributes that can Nature Bridge operates as a non-profit
improve environmental conditions. By affect occupant comfort and health. These organisation that supports students across
including green initiatives, the school can factors include daylight, temperature and a diverse range of communities, enabling
teach students about sustainable practices air quality. Which have been proven to have them to learn and experience environmental
and become a living lab for students to significant effects on the ability of students to science. Educators bring the science to
study. Embedding sustainable thinking at concentrate and learn. Embedding sensors in life by hosting lessons in national parks.
a young age will assist in creating ongoing classrooms and other occupied areas would Students are taken on hikes, explorations
sustainable practices, as children will allow for improved control of environments and overnight expeditions throughout the
grow up developing further sustainable and improved learning outcomes. Sensors parks. Students learn about stewardship in
initiatives. For schools that are owner can also reduce energy consumption through taking responsibility for the land, by knowing
operated, sustainable initiatives can have daylight dimming and occupancy control. their sense of place within nature and by
favourable payback periods that are realised understanding the interconnections between
in operation. different aspects of the ecological systems.
The organisation has been operating
since 1971 and has provided life-changing
11 12 experiences for over 1 million participants.81

Enhanced wellbeing Intelligent acoustics

The importance of improving the wellbeing Schools are becoming more like university
of students in their environment is becoming campuses or business parks. They provide
well understood. There are a number of access to multiple amenities, embrace
aspects of schools that need to be addressed an open plan, and utilise collaborative
in order to achieve this. For example, several spaces. It is important to note that children
elements of the physical environment have different acoustic needs than adults,
including daylighting, fresh air and reduction including quiet spaces for concentration and
of indoor pollution which can assist in learning. It is important that acoustics in
improving wellbeing. Additionally, healthy schools are carefully planned to provide quiet
practices such as learning about stress spaces with low reverberations that allow
management, exercise and healthy eating can children to hear and understand. This is of

© Gerry Dincher
all be part of a modern education. particular importance where students are
learning in a second language.

52 53
 13 14
Case study

Maker spaces Online connectivity

Sevenoaks School
Expeditions, UK Many students learn better through working Many excellent learning resources are
with their hands rather than traditional now available online. A curriculum that
classroom learning. The incorporation of incorporates this material can have many
Sevenoaks brings school excursions to maker spaces into learning environments advantages. Firstly, some of this material is
life from the comfort of the classroom. can have substantial benefits for a range of very high quality,88 from some of the best
With the help of the Google Expedition students. Successful maker spaces provide a teachers in the world. Secondly, students
Headsets, students can explore the world variety of activities ranging from carpentry can access this material in the comfort of
and imaginary environments through to robotics to art. Although some maker their own homes with potentially fewer
virtual reality technology. Great teaching spaces are incorporated into classrooms, distractions than at school. Thirdly, students
is often considered the best way to open dedicated spaces with a range of activities can learn at their own pace, with some online
the eyes and minds of students, however can provide a creative outlet for students. learning packages testing concepts which
with these new technologies teaching These dedicated spaces require good curation allow students to repeat material until they
can be taken to the next level of student and supervision in order to maximise have mastered it.
engagement and interactivity. Students can their usefulness.
be transported on virtual trips to museums,
under the sea and outer space. These trips
are collections of 360 degree panorama
images, annotated with details, points of
15 16
interest and questions that make them
easy to integrate into curriculums already
used in schools.82
Artificial intelligence Augmented reality

Elements of AI are already present in schools AR has many potential uses in schools through
today. Adaptive learning software that can the teaching of content and assisted learning.
identify a student’s current level of knowledge This technology adds a layer of tangibility to
and ask an appropriate question is just one what traditionally has been taught through text
example of this. These kinds of technologies and images. The physical nature of AR allows
have led to more personalised learning that for a deeper interaction between students and
is tailored to each individual student. Further their learning content. This technology allows
developments in AI could lead to adaptive the student to be at the centre of the learning
learning that can respond to a student’s and create opportunities for collaboration that
© Sevenoaks School

emotional reactions or demonstrated learning will foster a deeper understanding.

biases rather than just keystrokes and
answers given.

54 55
Conclusions

The school of the future is an adaptive socially responsible citizens who understand
learning environment, where students will sustainable practices. These virtues should
build a strong foundation to support their be promoted in the design of accessible and
endeavours in an increasingly complex sustainable schools that respond to the unique
world. Characterised by student-directed environmental and cultural values of
curriculums and the development of both their locations.
practical and conceptual problem-solving
skills, future schools will offer diverse, As information becomes more accessible
flexible and tailored spaces to meet student through the internet, learning becomes more
needs. The physical school environment must flexible and mobile while the traditional
reflect these changes, housing collaborative role of a school and teacher is evolving.
open spaces and enabling intimate The integration of technology and online
workshops. The way students and teachers learning tools will see a shift in the structure
inhabit spaces will become more adaptive, of learning methods and objectives; from
providing both a broader education and the exam results and content-based learning to an
capacity to pursue fields of interest in increased focus on real-world projects and
great depth. high-order thinking. To enable success in the
unknown industries of the future, we need to
Beyond academia, schools are a platform teach students not simply what to think, but
for social development. Future schools will how to think.
uphold strong community ties to develop
support networks around students that
foster the exploration of personal interests.

© DLR Group | Chris J. Roberts

This will result in more engaged workers
with lifelong learning habits. There is a
growing responsibility for schools to develop

56 57
Actions and recommendations

Future skills In a future that will be heavily automated it is import for • Equip students with skills that will help • Develop skills that allow students to
students to learn skills that cannot be easily performed by them work in harmony with robots propose innovative solutions to problems
robots such as empathy, critical thinking and emotional that arise
intelligence. A deep understanding of ethics is also important • Embed ethical values in students so that
when programming robots or handling precious data. Students they are responsible with technology • Ensure students are good global citizens
must also learn to be entrepreneurial. They may have skills and data and treat all people with respect
that they excel in but apply to multiple jobs over their lifetime. and empathy
Furthermore, in a connected world, students must be global • Teach students how to learn so that they
citizens understanding how to maintain everything from can continue to change and adapt to the • Encourage students that implement
planetary health to their personal wellbeing. ever changing world in which they live solutions that have a positive impact on
the planet

School models School models have moved away from rote learning and • Personalise learning journeys so that • Engage with families and the wider
standardised testing. Not only is there a better understanding students understand concepts before community to share facilities and support
about the need to personalise learning in order to make moving on learning and connections
students thrive, but both design and technology are continually
evolving in order to better enable this. Families and the wider • Consider online learning opportunities • Ensure that your teaching model is
community need to support students’ learning throughout for some content to maximise the use of accessible and inclusive of all students
their daily lives in order to get the most out of their teaching and collaboration during the day regardless of abilities and social standings
learning journeys.
• Embrace a range of teaching models from • Include students in educational planning
Sudbury to the mastery approach to see and school decisions to prepare them for
how students learn best further learning and the workforce

Evolution of the The classroom goes well beyond the four walls that school • Include schools as a central element • Test new digital technologies to maximise
classroom rooms often consist of. Spaces need to be adaptable to suit of community masterplans in order to interest and excitement in learning
changing needs and uses. Indoor spaces need to connect both connect with the community and promote
viably and physically to other spaces, the outdoors and even the lifelong learning • Supervise students physically and online to
wider urban realm. Digital technology is rapidly changing and protect them from bullying and
allowing new learning opportunities and experiences. This also • Design adaptable spaces that can transform other threats
allows for further permeability between schools and the as required
wider community.
• Connect spaces to the outdoors including
daylight and views in order to aid in
concentration and wellbeing

58 59
60
61

© Bill Conroy
External Contributors References

Aaron Rich Ken Woodman Wayne Hay

Golden Gate Director Architect Associate Architect
Nature Bridge Beechworth Victoria Gray Puksand Melbourne 1. McKinsey&Company. (2017). Jobs lost, jobs gained: Workforce transitions in a time of automation [online] Aailable
https://mck.co/2y1dfYW
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Associate Architect 3. Suha Jaber. (2018). Students taking charge of their leaerning. [online] Available https://bit.ly/2T9DllH
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Director

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Publications

Perth 2050 presents four perspectives from rising engineers and Acknowledgements
designers at Arup to establish a vision for Perth in 2050. The themes look
at a future city of Perth that is data-driven, has seamless and integrated Authors:
mobility, utilizes sustainable urban water management and has resilient Anne Kovachevich, Jasmine Roberts,
urban systems. Michael Northey, Luke Darcy, James Macken

Editorial & Design:

Elisa Magnini, Michael Northey, Luke Darcy,
James Macken, Mark Pearsall, Finola Glynn
Future of Labs explores the major drivers shaping the design and
operation of science research facilities across the world. It provides
recommendations for the design of labs of the future, including
wellbeing and place, adaptable spaces, digitalisation and About Arup
networked spaces.
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s
most prominent projects in the built environment and across
industry. We offer a broad range of professional services
that combine to make a real difference to our clients and the
communities in which we work.
Campus of the Future examines the trends affecting the design,
operation and experience of higher education campuses, highlighting We are truly global. From 80 offices in 35 countries our
global best practice from the education sector and beyond. It aims to 14,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants
deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity
help higher education designers, developers and facilities managers
and passion.
better understand the forces shaping these evolving spaces.
Founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values, our
unique trust ownership fosters a distinctive culture and an
intellectual independence that encourages collaborative
working. This is reflected in everything we do, allowing us
Future of Libraries examines the key trends that are influencing the to develop meaningful ideas, help shape agendas and deliver
transformation of libraries in terms of the social infrastructure they results that frequently surpass the expectations of our clients.
provide and the services they offer. Libraries are evolving into hubs
for education, health, entertainment and work. They are becoming The people at Arup are driven to find a better way and to
strategic city assets, designed to stimulate cultural exchange, economic deliver better solutions for our clients.
prosperity, and support stronger communities.
We shape a better world.

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The findings of this report identify drivers shaping the future of schools
and how our understanding of learning is evolving. Equipping students
with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing, unpredictable
work landscape will be an ongoing challenge. We have a duty to ensure
that we are not simply teaching children what to think, but how to think,
in order for them to deal with growing complexity.

To foster concepts of self-directed learning, we can look at how school

environments are becoming increasingly adaptive and modular,
adopting new technologies and sustainability practices. Open learning,
a shift from exam-centric objectives, will see more diverse curriculums
emerging that focus on the development of real-world skills and involve
whole community participation. Further, as access to online learning
platforms continues to grow, we can reconsider how class time is most
effectively spent and the types of environments where learning is best
undertaken.

Insights into the challenges faced by students and educators alike,

demonstrate the need to proactively shape school environments that
offer future skills and nurture self-reliance.

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