Why investing in learning environments pays off

While working at St Dunstan’s College in south-east London, Clair oversaw a £30 million redevelopment project that included a new junior school, STEM block, and sixth-form centre, as well as a whole range of associated relocation and refurbishment projects.

Working with Pinnacle on the design and fit-out, she and her team were instrumental in transforming the entire school environment and witnessed the results first-hand.

Learning environment design impacts a school’s culture  

Before the revamp, some of the school’s spaces needed quite a bit of TLC. “They were tired and uninspiring,” says Clair. The pupils could feel it. If an environment doesn’t care about them, why should they care about it? “As we see in so many schools, things got broken and graffiti was a problem.”

Clair noticed that once the old spaces were replaced with bright, thoughtfully designed classrooms, filled with natural light, well-planned layouts, and flexible learning furniture—pupils’ behaviour changed almost overnight. “They were proud of their surroundings, and they treated them with respect.”

Research from The University of Salford’s HEAD study backs the findings. Researchers found that a good learning environment design can boost pupil progress by up to 16% in a single year. Factors like daylight, air quality, colour, and classroom layout design all played a part.

A prized sixth-form centre sparks a change in attitude

One of Clair’s favourite success stories was a new sixth-form centre. Complete with its own café and quiet study zones, it was a deliberate move away from the typical noisy common room, with music, football and snooker tables. 

“We created a calm, grown-up environment where students were encouraged to play chess and Scrabble, to work collaboratively on projects or retreat to quiet areas to read. And you know what? The students didn’t miss the old stuff. They felt they’d graduated into something more akin to a university space, and their behaviour was more grown-up as a result.”

Teachers noticed the difference too. Lessons following lunch or free periods were calmer and more focused. “There was a different energy and I know from experience that energy in schools is particularly contagious,” says Clair.

This reflects a broader truth supported by research from Building and Environment, which shows that design can influence learning outcomes by as much as 25%, positively or negatively. The right environment supports calm, concentration, and self-esteem.

Inspiring teachers with design

Clair is equally passionate about creating great working environments for staff. At all the schools where Clair has been involved in new builds the projects have created additional spaces and enabled teachers to have dedicated classrooms.

“This is a game-changer,” she says. “When you give a teacher their own space, they make it their own and it reduces the stress of having to move around the school with their belongings. “I remember one maths teacher filled his room with plants and his own books. It was so welcoming, a lived-in place with his identity – the pupils noticed and appreciated that.”

Designing for teachers isn’t just about classroom ownership. Clair recalls seeing a project whilst visiting Tonbridge School where an old chapel had been converted into a staff café and planning space. “It was stunning. Imagine how valued you would feel walking into that every day.”

According to the Carnegie Centre for Mental Health in Schools, staff wellbeing is directly influenced by the quality of the spaces they work in. Positive environments lead to less burnout and better retention.

The power of listening to pupils

An unexpected voice helped shape a couple of Clair’s projects and that was her daughter’s. “She helped with two of the builds when a creative approach was needed to save costs. She was only nine and later in her early teens, but her input was spot on. She had a real feel for which subjects worked well together, how pupils moved through spaces, and what would feel good to her peers.”

That hands-on involvement left a lasting impression. Clair’s daughter now works in construction, inspired by the work she saw happening in schools.

“It taught me how valuable pupil input can be. They’re the ones living in these spaces every day.”

Transforming state schools on a limited budget

While the independent sector often has larger budgets, Clair insists that state schools can, and should, adopt the same design thinking.

“When I was Bursar at Weald of Kent Grammar School, we got creative with government funding. A new sports hall freed up the old hall for a sixth-form centre and cafe and we built a new maths block with a more affordable module design. It wasn’t about having millions—it was about making every pound work as hard as it could.”

She believes companies like Pinnacle that provide FF&E interior design, classroom fit out and classroom layout design are crucial. “They helped us think about flexibility, dual use, and how to make a space serve multiple needs. That kind of expertise is vital when you’re stretching a limited budget.”

The Education Policy Institute lists learning environment as one of the factors that supports social and emotional learning, particularly in under-resourced schools.

Well-designed learning spaces for better mental health and mood

During the St Dunstan’s project which was designed and built during the COVID years, mental health was front and centre. For the junior school, Clair worked with architects to ensure that every classroom had direct access to the outdoors. She says: “They could step outside at any point in a lesson. Fresh air shouldn’t be a luxury and it has such a positive impact on our young people.”

Even in a London school located by the South Circular, studies showed that air pollution didn’t affect the outdoor areas. “The air quality was good. Everyone benefits from outdoor access, not just neurodivergent children or those with additional needs,” says Clair.

Research backs her up. The Department for Education has found that emotional well-being in primary school is a strong predictor of academic achievement in secondary school.

Space that says – you matter.

Clair has learned that Innovative classroom design is the foundation of a brilliant school. She says: “Environment speaks volumes. If your classroom says, ‘This is a place for learning and creativity, for pride, for care,’ then pupils pick up on that. If it says, ‘No one really cares,’ then that’s what you’ll get back.”

When teachers and pupils are in exceptional environments, everyone rises to the occasion. “If you want a child to do their best work, you have to show them what ‘best’ looks like,” says Clair.

This philosophy extends to how schools operate too. Well-designed environments don’t just improve outcomes, they’re also attractive for prospective pupils. “Parents notice and new pupils come. And more importantly, current pupils stay. Retention is one of the most sustainable elements of marketing a school can have.”

It’s time to invest 

In a time of stretched budgets and tough choices, investing in better learning environments might seem like a luxury, but Clair sees it differently.

She says: “This isn’t about pretty spaces. It’s about strategy. It’s about giving children and teachers the best possible chance to succeed and feel valued.”

 The case for change? It’s never been stronger.

Learn more 

If you’d like to learn more about how we can support the next generation with learning spaces that foster new ways of learning and prepare young people for a rapidly changing world, download a copy of our SPACE Manifesto.