Walk around any school undergoing a refurbishment or expansion and you’ll almost certainly find a temporary structure on site. Temporary classrooms have become a standard part of how schools manage building projects and for good reason. Here’s why demand is growing, and what schools should know before commissioning one.
Why schools need temporary structures
The most common trigger is building works. When a school is refurbishing, expanding or rebuilding, pupils still need to be taught, which means classroom space has to be found somewhere. Temporary structures solve this problem cleanly as they can be installed on the school grounds, commissioned before the building works begin, and removed once the new permanent facilities are ready.
Other common reasons include:
- Unexpected capacity demands — a sudden increase in pupil numbers requiring extra classroom space
- Emergency repairs — structural or fire damage to existing buildings requiring immediate replacement space
- New provision — a school adding a new year group, specialist teaching facility or SEN unit on a temporary basis while permanent plans are approved
- Ofsted readiness — ensuring continuity of learning during major site works
What WeBuild supplies to schools
We supply temporary classroom and educational building structures to schools across the UK. Our solid wall classroom units are designed specifically for educational use, insulated for year-round comfort, acoustically performing far better than PVC alternatives, and fitted with everything needed for day to day teaching including double-glazed doors and windows, access ramps for compliance with DDA requirements, internal lighting and power.
A recent example: we installed two solid wall temporary classrooms at a primary school in Surrey, used over six months while building works were carried out within the main school. Both units were in place and ready for use ahead of the agreed start date, with access ramps fitted as standard. Read the full case study here.
How long does installation take?
For most standard temporary classroom installations, we aim to have structures in place and ready for use within 1–2 weeks of order confirmation, depending on site access and ground conditions. We work around the school calendar wherever possible.. many schools prefer installation during half-term or summer holidays to avoid disruption to teaching.
Do schools need planning permission?
Yes, in most cases, if the structure will be in place for more than 28 days then planning permission will likely be required. The application process for educational temporary buildings is generally straightforward and local planning authorities are accustomed to these requests. We’d recommend starting the planning process as early as possible to avoid delays to your build schedule. Read our full guide to planning permission for temporary structures.
Hire or purchase for schools?
For most schools, hiring makes more sense than purchasing. Hire agreements give the school flexibility as the structure is installed for the duration of the building works and collected once the permanent space is ready. Maintenance is included on a WeBuild hire agreement, so the school has no ongoing responsibility for the structure beyond day-to-day use.
For schools planning a longer-term expansion or adding semi-permanent specialist facilities, purchasing can make financial sense over a 3–5 year horizon. We’re happy to run through both options with you.
Getting started
If your school has building works planned and you need to start thinking about temporary classroom provision, the best first step is a free site visit. We’ll come to the school, assess the available space, discuss your requirements and give you a written quote — all at no cost and with no obligation.
Book a free site visit or call 0203 758 3315. We cover all of London and the UK.