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The Architecture Week Schools Client Forum event 
 
Design quality was debated amongst construction professionals, teachers and students at the Schools Client Forum's one day event at Bristol's Tobacco Factory. The 16 June event provided national and international case studies, workshops and presentations. The objective of the event was to understand strategic issues whilst improving project developments. The importance of consulting teachers, staff and pupils in the design process was seen by many delegates to be overlooked and this has provoked major concerns regarding the quality and fitness for purpose of many new projects.
 
Community involvement and commitment to a programme needs to be embedded in a brief to achieve the ambition of Building Schools for the Future.
 
Consultation is often part of a wider and necessary process of rebuilding a school including the regeneration of a community and regaining confidence as an organisation. It was argued that the process could be made easier by introducing drawing and plans to end-users. Interactive presentations were identified as a way for users to communicate, with architects making the discussion of design more tangible. Arguments against consultation, such as a lack of enthusiasm and willingness by local stakeholders to participate, were matched by the view that an increased effort to involve teachers, students and local stakeholders leads to a better brief.
 
Chaired by Stefan Jakobek, convenor of the Schools Client Forum. Speakers included George Ferguson, Past President of the RIBA, John Waldron, Architecture plb, and Sharon Plant of the Sorrel Foundation who provided information on the new Young Design Programme. 

 
An architect's manifesto: architects from education design network
 
Case Study 1 
Sharon Plant of the Sorrell Foundation
 
Edited presentations: 


 
An international perspective
John Waldron of Architecture plb 
 
Describing sustainable design
Prof Peter Clegg of Feilden Clegg Bradley 


Case Study 2 Using DQIs in practice
Dr Chris French 
 
Case Study 3 Working with students
Sharon Wright of Creative Wit