energy efficiency 5www.nps.co.uk

Growing schools Growing needs

www.nps.co.uk

Your school, your choiceFrom root to branch, we can provide the support and services you need to create a safe and inspiring place to learn – and help save you money.

Our teams, locally based around the country, have worked with one in six of all schools in England. We have a wealth of expertise on a vast range of education projects, from Children’s Centres right through to colleges and universities, winning many awards along the way.

We understand the complexities of growing a thriving school. Our considerable experience covers every aspect of its life cycle – from designing and building spaces that create the best possible environment for learning, right through to the everyday needs of building and grounds maintenance, financial management and health and safety.

We aim to build long term, lasting relationships with our clients, and always look to provide solutions that will give you the best possible value for money and benefit for years to come – not just a quick fix.

But above all, we remember it’s your school, your choice, so simply pick as much or as little as you want from what we have to offer.

3

safe and securesafe and secure www.nps.co.uk4

We recognise the huge responsibility you have to keep your school safe in the face of health and safety legislation that seems to get ever more complicated. Let our experts take some of the strain so you can get on with what you do best.

Well-maintained and properly cleaned schools are happier and healthier places in which to work and learn. We are one of the leading names in facilities management, and our advisers are focused on safety and value for money.

From electrics and water to air-conditioning and fire alarms – we can do all the regular testing that is required. We can train your staff in health and safety, vet and monitor contractors on site and advise on the safest and most effective products on the market.

For those building emergencies you can’t plan for, we have extensive experience of disaster recovery, liaising with emergency services and insurance companies, while putting interim measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and pupils and the minimum disruption to teaching.

Safe, secure and compliant

5

“From day one of our challenge to create a new building following a fire, NPS have supported us, advised us and made our vision a reality.”

School Improvement Director, Carleton Community High, West Yorkshire

safe and securesafe and secure www.nps.co.uk 76

Health and safety

Our teams are experienced in managing projects within the CDM (Construction, Design and Management) Regulations 2007, which apply to construction projects over a certain size. But whatever the work, we know it is vital all contractors working on school sites are properly trained and insured. We will assess their compliance in areas such as public liability, insurance and the health and safety systems they have in place.

Carbon management

Schools over 1,000m2 are required by law to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC), showing energy consumption, and to register with the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme. Our teams of buildings experts, who are accredited DEC assessors, can advise you on your obligations and help you to comply with legislation.

Compliance testing

We can undertake compliance testing of anything from electrical and heating systems, drinking water, air conditioning and refrigeration, to fire alarms, emergency systems, security and CCTV. We can also advise on and implement plans to survey, manage and remove substances hazardous to health, such as asbestos.

Accessibility

It is a statutory requirement to make public buildings accessible – we can carry out a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) audit and draw up an action plan, suggesting areas for improvement.

Safe, secure and compliant

8 efficiencyefficiency 9www.nps.co.uk

We can deliver considerable value because our experience of working with schools enables us to see the whole picture, from creating new or remodelled spaces, through to ongoing premises management.

Our teams can draw up your maintenance programme, so you can be confident in the budget you set, and avoid, where possible, any unplanned emergency work. For unforeseen maintenance you can’t avoid, we have a specialised helpdesk.

When it comes to energy efficiency, our credentials are second to none – and we’ve got the awards to prove it. They include an International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice in recognition of our design for Bideford College, Devon.

Our commitment to sustainability runs right through our services portfolio. For example, designing spaces that make the least possible impact on their environment, energy monitoring and advising on how to make existing buildings perform at their best.

Saving you money,improving efficiency

“We set some demanding targets – we wanted to reduce heating, energy and water consumption and we wanted alternative energy supplies incorporated. What we got was a fantastic building that will inspire students and members of the local community for many years to come.”

Principal, Bideford College, Devon

10 efficiencyefficiency 11www.nps.co.uk

Buildings and grounds

We can undertake a diverse range of building surveys and review their condition and fitness for purpose. We provide professional reports of our findings with clear information and estimated costs to help you spend your money wisely.

Project and cost management

Ensuring customers receive the best possible value for money is our aim, whether we are delivering the services ourselves or are commissioned to manage services by others.

Our dedicated project managers will ensure that projects stay on schedule, within budget and are completed to a high standard.

Our cost consultants are experienced in all forms of procurement with detailed knowledge of local markets. This means we can identify savings without sacrificing quality.

Energy efficiency

The fluctuations in energy and water prices make utilities budgeting one of your biggest operational costs. We would expect to save you at least 10% on your current costs and we’ve recovered tens of thousands of pounds for schools – spotting faulty electricity meters, water leaks and the incorrect use of tariffs, or simply advising on ways you could manage your utilities more effectively. In particular, our Invest to Save Plans show how certain changes could help you meet energy targets and cut emissions within a tight budget.

Saving you money, improving efficiency

12 developing spacesdeveloping spaces 13www.nps.co.uk

Our highly qualified teams can provide a range of specialist advice, whether your needs are expansion, relocation or refurbishment. We understand that each customer will have different needs and pride ourselves on our ability to listen and deliver the right outcomes for the right price.

We work closely with you at every stage of the process, from feasibility and design through to procurement and construction, to ensure the facilities we create offer the best possible environment to foster learning.

Our services are precisely tailored so they are appropriate to your needs – we can draw up a package that can include stand-alone services or a complete property strategy.

We will deliver the solution which best balances time and cost – without compromising on quality – managing each project in a way that is appropriate to the site, its context, and the resources available.

Our experts have extensive experience of working on occupied sites, where careful planning is needed to ensure the safety and well being of users, and cause the minimum disruption to teaching.

Developing learning spaces

“When you walk through the first set of doors it is breathtakingly beautiful – just the kind of building in which you would want your children to be educated.”

Headteacher, Aldborough School, Norfolk

14 developing spacesdeveloping spaces 15www.nps.co.uk

Design

We can take your project from feasibility to delivery – or stop at any stage in between. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our highly experienced, education focused architects are able to draw upon the full range of property design and support services available in our group, including project management, cost consultancy, structural and services engineering.

Interior design

Our qualified interior design specialists work closely with our architects and engineers. Together they can produce holistic designs for new-build projects or refurbishments and organise cost-effective procurement of fixtures, fittings and equipment to create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

Specialist technical services

We can also assist with specialist technical work such as topographical, ground condition, utilities and drainage surveys. We can ensure planning requirements are met and have experts who can provide historic buildings advice, plus a dedicated archaeology team. Other services include environmental, ecological and traffic impact studies and flood risk assessments.

External spaces

The external environment is an invaluable and stimulating resource for learning and our landscape architects will help you get the most out of your outside assets. We can provide ideas, designs and costs, arrange contractors and manage projects for you. Schemes could include general landscaping, environmental areas and ponds, or social areas, playing fields and all weather pitches.

Site and buildings development

We can help you develop a master-plan for your school that will prioritise your needs and provide workable, affordable and innovative design solutions that meet your long-term aims.

Sustainability

We seek to place sustainability at the heart of all our designs and specialist teams are available to ensure the latest sustainability requirements are met. Again, this service can be used as an integrated part of our designs or as a stand-alone service. Our projects assessed as excellent using the established BREEAM method include a zero-carbon primary school, a 2,000-place high school and a sixth form college in North London.

Developing learning spaces

16 independent sectorindependent sector 17www.nps.co.uk

Including aided schools, free schools and academies We are equally keen to work with schools outside the maintained sector, whether already established or at the earliest stages of planning and development.

Our comprehensive range of specialist services is designed to minimise the risk to you and other building users, while maximising budgets.

With our many local offices around the UK already serving hundreds of schools, you can benefit from our greater economies of scale. We can be a simple ‘one-stop shop’ or tailor the services to meet your individual needs.

Our experience in the schools sector is unrivalled and we are excited to be playing a part in delivering the Free Schools Programme. The projects vary from listed building refurbishments and conversions of retail premises, to brand new facilities. Our input has been critical when developing business plans and securing funding.

Our knowledge of the Academies sector is also extensive, and includes working as technical consultants to the Department for Education’s Academies Programme. This unique insight into the ethos of individual sponsors and promoters, together with our design experience in the BSF programme, means our teams can truly add value.

Independent and non-maintained schools

18 independent sectorindependent sector 19www.nps.co.uk

We understand the additional responsibilities that independent and non-maintained schools must consider. So we also offer a full range of estate and site management services that are particularly relevant to you.

These include asset valuations, property searches, buying and selling property, clarifying boundary issues, easements and wayleaves, lease and licence negotiations, rent and rate reviews and insurance valuations.

Working with a range of associates and specialist companies we are also broadening our services to include:

l Education consultancyl Human resourcesl Financel Communications and marketingl Legal/commerciall Information technology

If you are interested in any of these, please contact:

Anna DavidsonGroup Business Development Director

01603 70610107770 735996anna.davidson@nps.co.uk

Independent and non-maintained schools

20 21www.nps.co.uk

With our roots firmly in the public sector, we have experience working with schools at every level, from energy efficiency and procurement, through to refurbishments and brand new schools.

We know that creating a safe, secure and inspiring environment for learning is your priority, so it’s ours too and at the heart of all our school projects.

This brochure highlights some of the areas where we can help, but these are just the start because we pride ourselves on tailoring our services exactly to your needs, however big or small.

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy we offer a diverse range of services, provided by specialists who know each other and have worked together. So, however wide-ranging your requirements, the package of work we deliver to you is seamless.

Over the past two decades we have grown to more than 1,300 people in 28 offices across the UK and we recognise the importance of that local connection and a single reliable point of contact.

Our growth and success has been driven by two key principles; being efficient and effective. Let us put that vast experience and expertise to work in your school.

Mike BritchManaging Director NPS Group

It’s all about you

find out morefind out more

“We know that creating a safe, secure and inspiring environment for learning is your priority, so it’s ours too and at the heart of all our school projects.”

22 23www.nps.co.uk

NPS GroupLancaster House16 Central AvenueSt Andrews Business ParkNorwichNorfolk NR7 0HR

Tel: 01603 706000Fax: 01603 706001norwichlancasterhouse@nps.co.ukwww.nps.co.uk

find out more find out more

Please contact your local NPS office by visiting

www.nps.co.uk/getintouch

G24985/TM

/0111This is printed on paper sourced from sustainably managed forests and can be recycled