Updating of the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards)(Scotland) Regulations 1967

Closed 9 Oct 2017

Opened 17 Jul 2017

Feedback updated 27 Feb 2018

We asked

We asked you to give us your views on updating the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967.

You said

77 responses were received which were supportive of all the Government’s proposals other than the sites for playing fields.

We did

Consultation responses were published and independent analysis was carried out and published.  This is available to view here:  http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/02/6938

Results updated 19 Mar 2019

Links:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

This consultation is seeking your views on the updating of the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) Regulations 1967 (‘the 1967 Regulations’). These 1967 Regulations prescribe a broad minimum standard to certain aspects of school buildings, including areas for school sites, overall minimum internal space, playing fields, sanitary and washing accommodation, lighting, ventilation, heating etc. However, the 1967 Regulations were last amended in 1973 and 1979 and are now somewhat dated for the needs of modern schools in Scotland, such as 2-18 year olds all through schools, school campuses as well as the traditional stand-alone schools.

We would appreciate your views on the updating of these Regulations so that they are relevant to schools built today.

Why your views matter

The 1967 Regulations prescribe a broad minimum standard that school buildings must meet. However, the Regulations need to be updated and the proposal is to remove reference to Early Learning and Childcare or to other school-specific premises standards which are met by other legislation. This will minimise the regulatory burden and ensure where separate school-specific premises regulations are needed these can be updated or retained. This consultation seeks the views of stakeholders who have an interest in school buildings and facilities. This will include, local authorities, the Care Inspectorate, sportscotland, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Independent Schools, Grant-Aided Schools, School designers/builders, school users such as teachers, pupils and wider community interests.
 

What happens next

We will take into account the responses we receive which may impact on the drafting of the new Regulations.  The new Regulations will be submitted to Parliament in the early part of 2018 for approval.

Interests

  • Business, Industry and Innovation
  • Building and Planning
  • Children and Families
  • Communities and Third Sector
  • Education
  • Equality, Welfare and Rights
  • Public Sector