At the close of 2016, the BBC reported that 944 local authority schools and 113 academy trusts in England are now in debt. In response to a parliamentary question, ministers revealed that 5 percent of council schools and 4 percent of academy trusts have budget deficits. Going further, Kevin Courtney, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, estimates that 92 percent of schools in England could face real terms budget cuts over the next four years.
On top of budget cuts, research by the Department for Education determined that a large part of the school estate in England was in poor condition or insufficiently maintained. In fact, 44 percent were rated as ‘unsatisfactory’, 23 percent were rated as ‘extremely poor’ or ‘very poor’ with more than two-thirds in need of refurbishment or renewal. It was established that about half of the schools were deemed ‘in need of improvement’.
The Government will spend £4.2bn towards essential school maintenance between 2015 and 2018. However, research by RIBA estimates that around £150 million is spent per annum on unnecessary services and maintenance due to poor school design which could be avoided. The study concludes that good design can have a positive impact on pupils and increase staff productivity by 15 percent.
Reducing these avoidable operation and maintenance costs can release significant savings which can be used to plug the funding gaps that many schools are facing. One way this can be achieved is by ensuring that the products specified for building new, and refurbishing existing schools, provide long-term value, high-quality, and durability. These products should facilitate good design principles, be functional, and help towards low operational costs.
Rising costs combined with funding cuts have left many school leaders in England considering drastic options such as shortening the school day or week, and cutting staff numbers. A reduction in staff at a time when pupil numbers are on the rise could have irreversible effects on the education system as a whole. It is, therefore, vital that schools have enough money available to pay their personnel, especially when you consider that staff costs make up 80 percent of a school’s expenditure.
The challenge of improving the school estate while balancing budgets means that schools must identify all the avenues available to them to save money so that they are able to provide high quality learning environments.
When designing for the future, it is crucial those involved consider the lifecycle of their buildings as well as the products within them. Considering all building elements at the design stage will ensure that they all integrate and work well together to achieve optimum building performance. Flooring is one feature that can be often overlooked at the design stage yet offers much more when it comes to design and maintenance. The best flooring materials feature contemporary designs and are made to be extremely durable and hard wearing to accommodate the high footfall and rigour of everyday use.
Sustainable flooring products should be able to help towards meeting international environmental standards such as BREEAM. Additionally, these products should be tested to meet or exceed industry standards for various elements such as flammability and sound absorption, two critical school building requirements. A crucial component to consider is using manufacturers that can provide long-term guarantees with their flooring solutions.
Interior design products that offer a wide range of colours, textures and finishes are an important part of the modern school environment. Researchers have found clear evidence that colour can have a stimulating effect on productivity, raising staff morale and aiding student concentration. As such, flooring solutions that offer these design elements must be highly considered when creating inspiring spaces.
If you are a Headteacher, Bursar, School Business Manager, Facilities Manager or Specifier, Heckmondwike would love to talk to you. To discuss how Heckmondwike’s carpet and carpet tile products can reduce your maintenance and installation costs, please call 01924 406161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Jeremy Broadhead, Commercial Manager at Heckmondwike FB, looks at current trends in flooring for offices.
“I’ve always found it fascinating to look back over old photographs of offices dating back to the 60s, 70s and 80s, just to marvel at how interior design has evolved over the years to what we have now. In the 1960s, office design often featured endless rows of desks often arranged in a grid-like pattern, with little personality or individuality. Cubicles and partitioned spaces were popular during the 1960s, right through to the 1980s. Colours were flamboyant and reflected the fashion trends towards bright oranges, yellows and greens, which translated through to the choice of carpet too. This love of colour had its heyday in the 1970s office, with lots of experimentation going on in terms of design, with furniture introduced for its style, rather than function. Partitioning and storage solutions also really started to have more prominence.
In 1980s and 90s, technology really started to shape office design. Computers started to creep in, making desk space cramped. Employees were housed often in small, individual cubicles, surrounded by partitions that weren’t exactly great for allowing communication, interaction or sharing of ideas. Fast forward to the office of today and office design is all about minimalism and allowing for use of technology and mobile working. Hot desking is becoming more popular and the rise of e-commerce means that shift work is becoming more common and therefore, ‘clean desk’ policies need to be observed.
In more traditional office environments, the trend is towards making offices more homely. As more and more people are given the option to work from home, due to technological advances, office designers are encouraging people to work back in the office, by tempting them with innovative designs with that all-important individuality and comfort factor. Modern office design is about engaging employees, by appealing to their senses. Workers are constantly searching for a better work environment, so the idea is that if you give it to them in the workplace, they’re more likely to settle and less likely to move.
Bringing the outdoors indoors continues to be a trend. Office designers are using more exposed brick and slate for walls and floral fabrics are becoming more popular. An office, overall, must be functional but also modern offices incorporate breakout areas, which are calming environments where workers can relax and feel happy, generating a positive feel about their workplace.
Welcome the planks!
Bright, vivid colours are increasingly being used and planks are becoming popular in carpet. This replicates the minimalist wooden floor look, without the acoustics of timber flooring or the risk of slips and trips, creating the popular minimalistic linear effect. Textures inspired by carpet are being used in fabric wallcoverings too, with, in some contemporary office buildings, fabric type floorcoverings being used on both wall and floor surfaces and reflecting these colour choices in soft furnishings too.
Strong primary colours are being used, although in small quantities, in the more high-tech businesses to reflect modern lifestyles. Often these bright, daring colours, such as Heckmondwike’s Array Fuchsia, are used in breakout spaces and meeting rooms. Colour continues to be used in the workplace to customise the flooring to dedicated areas, rather than use of barriers or partitions. This allows for better communications between teams and helps to improve working relationships.
These are exciting times for office flooring and never has there been a more comprehensive and aesthetically appealing range of options.”
Sample cards for Heckmondwike FB’s Creative range are available on request by calling +44 [0] 1924 413637 or by using our e-sample service.
A UK population growth spurt has led to a bigger demand for school places than ever. Bob Mortimer, UK & Ireland Sales Manager of leading education flooring provider Heckmondwike FB, explains how good building design and specifying durable materials can future proof schools and even improve staff retention and productivity.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK population is projected to rise by 9.7 million by 2039. What impact will this increase have on education quality and provision? It is estimated that the number of primary and secondary school pupils will increase by an additional 729,000 by 2020. To cope with this influx, more than 2,000 new schools (24,000 classrooms) must be built in England during the same period.
The rise in pupil numbers will require more teachers to sustain a high quality of learning. The latest figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, however, show that 40 percent of those who enter initial teacher training were not teaching five years later. This equates to 14,000 new teachers leaving the classroom each year. A growing shortage of teachers and problems with retention means that future education provision, and ultimately quality, will suffer as there will be less qualified teachers available to teach, especially core subjects such as Maths, Science and English.
Teacher shortages in 2014/15 led to the cost of agency supply teachers to increase by £50m compared to the previous two years. Stress and overcrowding brought about by poor learning environments have been cited as one of the reasons teaching staff leave the profession. Research by RIBA, however, as well as Arup’s Building Use Survey Methodology Database, shows that good school design and comfort increases staff productivity, which delivers higher school outcomes. In fact, well-designed schools demonstrated a 15 percent increase.
To meet the impending demand, there needs to be a drastic re-think by government and local authorities to ensure there are enough school places and teachers to maintain quality levels. Standardised design (in the form of processes, dimensional co-ordination of buildings, components, assemblies and modules), classroom extensions and larger super-schools have been touted as possible options to deliver schools fit for purpose.
At present, around £150 million is spent annually on unnecessary services and maintenance, which would otherwise be avoided through better school design. Investing in quality school building and utilising the avoidable cost savings to train, employ and retain more teachers will be crucial if the government is to meet future demand. However, it is important to note that just like the housing crisis, the shortage of schools is primarily a supply-side issue and without extra capacity things will not get better.
When considering products and materials to facilitate quality school building, elements such as durability, comfort and performance must be at the forefront of the specification process. An often overlooked component in this regard is flooring. Here, heavy footfall and a susceptibility to stains and dirt requires a robust flooring solution. Fibre bonded carpets are ideal as they are stain resistant, withstand heavy wear and tear and also act as an interceptor, protecting floors from shoeborne dirt and moisture.
The best flooring solutions can help meet good interior design criteria by offering a range of colours and textures that can be combined to achieve bespoke spaces and create distinct, flexible areas. When combined with other classroom components such as furniture, flooring can help contribute to higher engagement thanks to better overall design.
Good school design is defined in the RIBA Top Marks School Report as simple, natural ventilation systems, optimum amount of colour in learning spaces, quality natural and artificial lighting, acoustics and flexible spaces. An optimum level of visual interest in terms of design and giving pupils a sense of ownership are also proven to be factors for a successful school building i.e. dedicated social or self-directed learning spaces, child centred furniture and imagery the pupils can relate to. Focusing budgets on well-designed and durable buildings saves money, improves staff performance and aids retention, all of which improves pupil outcomes.
To request samples of Heckmondwike FB’s carpet and carpet tile products, please use our free e-sample service, or alternatively, telephone 01924 413637.
Heckmondwike, one of the UK’s leading fibre bonded carpet and carpet tile manufacturers, is now offering a complete solution for the care sector through its Pure Care and Total Careranges.
Pure Care and Total Care are ideally suited to healthcare environments or sheltered housing, whether that be in communal areas, corridors or bedrooms. Available in different pile weights, both types of carpet feature a fully impervious backing, are highly resistant to staining and bleach and are also extremely durable. They are also manufactured to meet all relevant flammability tests. Available in four metre widths, these carpets are very easy to fit and offer low installation costs. They also offer antistatic properties.
Both Pure Care and Total Care are available in eight different attractive colour options.
Jeremy Broadhead, Commercial Manager for Heckmondwike, said: “Demand is strong for our high performance, stain resistant carpets for care homes and sheltered housing. With a wide choice of colours within each range, there is something to suit all tastes and applications.”
Heckmondwike also offers a range of entrance products, which are suitable for care homes and sheltered housing. This includes Vanquisher, with its alternative rib and velour surface pattern. Vanquisher is ideal for protecting carpets from outside soiling and moisture. It also offers thermal and acoustic properties and low maintenance.
Also for entrance areas, Heckmondwike offers mats featuring bespoke logos and designs for care homes and healthcare environments that are DDA approved. These can be either incorporated into a loose lay mat or inlaid into the floor in entrance areas. Heckmondwike offers 20 different colour options and mats are available in bespoke sizes to suit specific applications.
Sample cards are available on request by calling 01924 413637 or by using Heckmondwike’s online sample form.
Heckmondwike FB, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of fibre bonded carpet, has reported an increase in demand for its renowned heavy duty Supacord range for use in educational environments.
The company attributes this rise to schools seeking carpet with anti-fraying properties.
Kat Keshmiri, Marketing Manager for Heckmondwike FB, said: “With pressure on schools to choose durable, long lasting carpet solutions, Supacord is becoming more popular than ever. Schools and colleges have seen how some type of loop pile carpets can ravel and fray and there’s a noticeable trend towards fibre bonded carpet as it’s known for being so much more durable.”
Heckmondwike FB has supplied the education sector with Supacord for over 40 years and now the range is more comprehensive choice than ever. There are 42 shades available and the option of tile or sheet, to suit project requirements. Supacord is renowned for not ravelling or fraying, even in the most heavy-duty environments. It also provides good acoustic properties and reduced noise transmittance, which is really important in educational environments.
Like all Heckmondwike FB’s carpet, Supacord has anti-static and anti-slip properties, it also offers low maintenance. Great thermal performance is another property attributed to Supacord, which is warm and comfortable underfoot.
Schools like the fact that Supacord is available in all primary colours to match their branding or classroom themes. Supacord can also be complemented by bespoke entrance matting in Heckmondwike FB’s Diamond, with integrated logos or customised designs. This is widely used in schools to create a striking entrance area or reinforce an education establishment’s ethos.
To request further information or to request a sample card, please call 01924 410544 or alternatively, use our online Sample Request Service.
If you are over forty, the phrase “student accommodation” will probably conjure up a whole host of mental images. If you then add the word “carpet” to “student accommodation”, you will most likely think of words like: “durable” and “hard-wearing”. Fast forward to the world of educational facilities management in 2017, and the potential damage from high footfall and high jinks, is only part of the story for the facilities manager at a university or college, or business manager or owner of student accommodation.
With the end of the academic year looming, many universities and colleges are planning to refurbish or replace their student accommodation flooring. So what five things characterise the perfect carpet for student accommodation, be it halls of residence, house or flat share, a room in a private house or private rental?
It must be durable
Yes, durability is at number one. Longevity is undeniably the most important consideration when it comes to carpet, especially carpet in student accommodation, which must be able to withstand heavy footfall and the inevitable wear and tear that comes with student life. Our Supacord carpet has a robust, tight rib structure, plus anti-slip properties which makes it ideal for student accommodation; it provides a durable and stylish flooring solution for bedrooms, corridors and communal areas.
It must have wide appeal
Universities have been affected by some funding issues, influenced by the wider economic climate. This has led educational establishments to develop creative, budget-enhancing initiatives, including the rental of student halls of residence during the winter, spring, and summer holiday periods. Conference delegates and tourists pay to stay in student accommodation during holiday periods; so interiors, including carpets, must have a wide visual appeal, alongside the durability required for term-time activities.Our Array carpet tiles are available in a broad range of muted colourways that blend well with contrasting colour options from the Broadrib range. Both ranges are the perfect choice for areas that need to look great, whilst offering that essential long-term performance.
It must help to keep the peace
In the acoustic sense at least! A carpet that minimises the chance of sound reverberation is surely a must in busy, student accommodation. Our Array carpet is designed specifically for educational applications, and includes an acoustic layer to help keep noise transmission low; absolutely essential in student accommodation!
It must support sustainability goals
Most universities have a green manifesto and aim to embed sustainability and social responsibility into all of their processes. Our products are all proudly made in Yorkshire, with the fibres also sourced locally, lowering our carbon footprint significantly. Our fibre bonded carpet, with its thermal properties, helps to keep the costs of energy bills down in student accommodation. Our Supacord carpet tiles include thermal properties to conserve heat, helping to keep accommodation warm in the cooler months and provide comfort underfoot. This is also great for student rental agreements that have the heating costs included.
Maintenance must not be difficult or expensive
Different types of accommodation will have differing levels of traffic and will require specific performance qualities from a carpet. Entrance and communal areas in halls of residence for example, will have significant footfall and require harder-wearing carpet, like that in our Hippo range.
If due consideration is given to the required performance of your carpet at the outset, maintenance become a piece of cake. There is however no escaping regular cleaning in educational buildings and always remember, if not maintained, carpets can become damaged and lose both its performance and aesthetic qualities quickly.
Durability is important when it comes to selecting the right carpet for student accommodation, but don’t overlook aesthetic, acoustic, sustainability and maintenance considerations; your perfect carpet is waiting for you.
All our carpets are made with the quality our customers have come to expect from us over the last 100 years. They are antistatic, anti-slip, won’t fray and are proudly British made.
Jeremy Broadhead, Commercial Manager at Heckmondwike FB, looks at why carpet is being widely specified for its acoustic properties.
“Managing noise in a building continues to present a challenge for designers, which is why there is specific legislation covering different building types and uses. Schools should be designed in accordance with Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) Acoustic Design of Schools, the latest version of which was updated in 2014.
One of the most common complaints for those working in educational environments is the inability to work effectively due to high levels of background noise. Although the acoustic insulation of external structural elements may have been given adequate consideration, noise created internally from floors is often not taken into account. For instance, it is not uncommon for measures such as triple glazed windows to be specified to reduce external noise and then overlook the fact that most noise disturbances come from inside the building, with incorrect choice of flooring being the main cause. Hard flooring, such as timber, tile or laminate, can contribute to the problem, especially where a building is open plan or has several storeys.
This is why carpet – and particular fibre bonded carpet with its excellent attenuation properties is being specified more frequently for schools and colleges.
The characteristics of carpet mean it is effective at absorbing sound and the conduction of impact noise can be reduced by up to 30dB, just by the right selection of product. The human ear perceives a reduction of 10 dB (A) as halving the volume. The comparative values for some hard floorcoverings is between 5-15Db.
Array’s fibres have a high surface area and therefore offer good levels of sound attenuation. This range of carpet can reduce sound transmission by 22dB and has a dampening effect on the sound waves which transmit from a floor above to one below.
As a result, Array from our Creative range is now being specified in educational environments where noise can be an issue. It is perfect for use here because research has shown that background sound from inside and outside the classroom negatively affects learning, especially for young children who require optimal conditions for hearing and comprehension.
As well as offering excellent acoustic properties, Array is also renowned for its aesthetics with a smart linear pattern in a choice of 12 accent shades.
With the ever present issue of foot traffic and human voices, carpet will continue to play a key role in reducing noise transmission within schools and colleges.”
For more information contact Heckmondwike FB on 01924 406 161 or to request a sample, please fill out a sample request e-form.
Heckmondwike FB, the UK’s leading fibre bonded carpet manufacturer, is showing how the sky really is the limit with its bespoke entrance area carpet designs.
Over the past few years, Heckmondwike FB has created some truly inspirational carpet designs by integrating bespoke logos and customised colours into entrance areas, ranging from football clubs to top hotels, schools and universities.
Kat Keshmiri, Marketing Manager at Heckmondwike FB, said: “We can do pretty much anything to create a logo design or branding message as we have a wide choice of shades and can closely match corporate colours. Some really well-known brands have chosen our bespoke logos and it’s great to see the impact they make. Our bespoke entrance area carpet is also known for being very durable, which means it creates a great impression in a building – for the long term!”
Heckmondwike FB offers bespoke logos and designs in its Diamond heavy contract carpet, which can be incorporated into a mat or inlaid into the floorcovering. All the customer needs to do is to decide on their design, then they can choose from 20 colour options, which can be closely matched to corporate colours and logos.
Kat Keshmiri continues: “Customers often choose subtle or neutral colours for their entrance areas, which are then incorporated with bespoke designs of logos and emblems to reflect the personality or branding of the organisation. Schools and colleges often choose ‘special’ colours or designs which have particular meaning for their organisation.”
Heckmondwike FB’s fibre bonded carpet is ideal for ensuring the designs within the entrance area remain practical because they can be cut on site and will not ravel or fray.
Not only do these bespoke designs provide an attractive appearance, but Heckmondwike FB’s range is produced using heavy weight fibres, which offer a tough, durable surface that acts as an effective barrier and interceptor for dirt, grit and moisture.
A bespoke entrance area sample card is now available from Heckmondwike FB, which showcases the company’s full range of designs, textures and colours, specifically for entrances.
Heckmondwike FB’s sample cards are available to order via the website www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.or by calling+44 [0] 1924 406161.