ISBA BURSARCAST // What Independent Schools Are Building Now ft. TG Escapes + sector news (13th March 2026)
Karl from TG Escapes on enquiry recovery, wellbeing spaces, sustainability and long-term value
ISBA BURSARCAST · ISBA
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Show Notes
This week’s ISBA Bursarcast asks a practical question for bursars and estates leaders: if schools are building again, what are they building for — and what actually counts as value now?
Karl Stokes from TG Escapes joins us to talk about renewed enquiry levels, the rise of early years, sports and wellbeing spaces, and why schools are taking a more considered approach to sustainability, design and whole-life cost.
Alongside the feature, we deliver a short newsbeat from the latest ISBA bulletin, including: bookings for ISBA Annual Conference 2026 at ICC Wales from 11–13 May, updated DfE generative AI product safety standards, current bursar recruitment opportunities, a VAT reminder on school photographer commission, this week’s inspection tip on provision of information, the upcoming data protection webinar on 20 March, fresh sector commentary on SEND reform, new medical conditions and allergy guidance expected from September 2026, the extended Pupil Recruitment Risk Check offer, updated Prevent principles, and a reminder on HMRC’s “don’t get caught out” campaign on staff expense claims.
What You’ll Learn
- Why independent school building enquiries appear to have picked up again
- Which facilities are schools prioritising most right now
- Why wellbeing and pastoral spaces are becoming a more prominent part of the estates conversation
- What panelised construction is — and how it differs from “modular boxes”
- How to think about school building value beyond the initial capital spend
- Why are sustainability expectations rising in school estate projects
- Why planning and consultation may require longer lead times than expected
- This week’s key operational headlines from the ISBA bulletin
Resources Mentioned
- ISBA Annual Conference 2026, 11–13 May 2026, ICC Wales
- ISBA webinars on SEND, data protection, Charities SORP, CDC pensions, and KCSIE
- ISBA Reference Library and multimedia recordings
- DfE Generative AI Product Safety Standards
- HMRC guidance on VAT and school photographer commission
- Home Office key principles of Prevent
- Draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions and allergy
- TG Escapes
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