DfE Barking and Dagenham Schools

Client: Department for Education
Role: Design Adviser

Sarah acted as the Design Adviser for a series of significant school projects in Barking and Dagenham, including two all-through schools and one large secondary school. Ranging from 1,500 to 2,800 pupils, these schemes included nursery, primary, secondary, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

Sports and community facilities were integral to these projects, with many incorporating shared-use arrangements with neighbouring leisure centres. Sarah navigated complex site constraints—such as Green Belt and covenants—while working closely with school leaders and technical teams to develop strategic briefs, accommodation schedules, and feasibility studies. She oversaw the design review process through to contractor selection, ensuring the final proposals met the DfE’s output specification and delivered lasting value. All schools are now successfully completed.