DfE Kent & Sussex Secondary Schools

Client: Department for Education
Role: Design Adviser

Sarah was the Design Adviser for a major project involving five large secondary schools in Kent and Sussex, each requiring substantial new builds and refurbishments. The project faced unique challenges, including planning considerations for areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), listed buildings, and other special designations.

Sarah’s role involved coordinating with numerous stakeholders, including local authorities, Sport England, the Greater London Authority (GLA), highways departments, governors, trustees, and design review panels, ensuring that all perspectives were considered in the design process. From the initial phases, Sarah worked closely with Technical Advisers and school leadership teams to shape the project briefs, accommodation schedules, design options, feasibility studies, and cost plans, helping the project gain approval and move forward into the tendering phase.