Schools, colleges and universities need teaching spaces that support learning while fitting around the practical demands of an education site. Modular classrooms from Portakabin provide additional space designed specifically for education environments, with options to meet different site and capacity requirements.
Modular classroom options for short- and long-term requirements
Relocatable classrooms can support both short-term and longer-term educational requirements, with options to hire, buy new or choose a refurbished building. Buildings can also be relocated when requirements change, giving schools, colleges and universities flexibility to adapt their classroom space over time. Portakabin classrooms combine this flexibility with quality fit-out and support throughout the project.
Why choose a modular classroom?
Modular classrooms can be designed around the needs of an education site, from a single teaching space to larger multi-room facilities. Because they are manufactured off-site, building work can take place alongside site preparation, helping to reduce disruption to teaching and any delays. Find out more about what a modular classroom is.
Meeting all Department for Education guidelines
All Portakabin relocatable classrooms, whether permanent or temporary, are designed to meet or exceed Department for Education guidance for school and college buildings. This includes guidance covering areas such as ventilation, fire safety, acoustics and building space.
Portakabin has delivered classrooms for schools including Kensington Aldridge Academy, where a temporary school was completed in nine weeks.
Your modular classroom from Portakabin
- Bespoke design, built to your specific requirements
- Temporary or permanent, installed and ready to use in a matter of days, or built as a long-term learning environment
- Minimal disruption, with fewer vehicle movements, less noise and improved site safety compared with a traditional construction site
- Well-ventilated, helping to reduce CO2 build-up and support concentration throughout the teaching day
- Naturally lit, with windows designed to create bright, welcoming teaching spaces.
- Child safety features, including finger guards on doors and low surface temperature heaters
- A wide variety of interior and exterior extras, including interactive whiteboards, vision panels, furniture and security systems
- Well-insulated and air-tight, fitted with movement-sensitive PIR lighting for energy efficiency
- Designed for accessibility and inclusion, with consideration for Part M, the Equality Act and SEND requirements
From individual classrooms to complete school buildings
A single modular classroom can provide additional teaching space, while several buildings can be combined to create larger education facilities. For projects requiring more than individual classrooms, explore our modular school buildings, which can include teaching areas, dining and sports halls, specialist rooms and other facilities.
If you are planning to add capacity to an existing site, read our guide to expanding a school with modular buildings, covering the process from initial requirements and site surveys through to planning, installation and handover.
Pupils are now learning in warm, well-ventilated and well-proportioned classrooms. The quality of the building is to a high standard and we are now enjoying our brand new school.
Case studies
Don't just take our word for it, see what our customers say about our track record of delivering successful classrooms.
University of Oxford
Following the unexpected closure of the University of Oxford’s largest teaching and research building, a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility was up and running without delay, with procurement through the SBS framework helping to streamline the process.
Kensington Aldridge Academy
Known as the fastest school ever built, KAA2 was an unprecedented project from start to finish and took a record-breaking nine weeks to build
Lynburn Nursery
Council chooses fast, safe, permanent modular building system to create 80-place nursery in just three months
FAQs
- How much does a modular classroom cost?
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Costs vary by size, specification and whether you hire, buy or choose a refurbished unit, so there is no single fixed price for a modular classroom. Smaller temporary units for short-term hire can cost less than a bespoke permanent building. Get a quote based on your school's requirements.
- Can I buy a refurbished classroom?
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Yes. Refurbished portable classrooms are available alongside new-build options, giving schools a lower-cost route to extra teaching space without the lead time of a full manufacture. Refurbished buildings can be fitted out to suit project requirements and comply with permanent building regulations.
- Do modular classrooms need planning permission?
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Modular classrooms generally require planning permission, including temporary buildings. Planning permission can take up to 12 weeks, so it is important to factor this into your project timeline. Our in-house planning and design team can manage the application as part of your project.
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Relocatable classrooms for sale or hire to suit all budgets and timeframes
Find out moreIt’s easy to get the buildings you need, when you choose Portakabin. Whether you want the total financial flexibility of hiring, the permanence of buying newly manufactured or you want the added sustainability of a pre-owned refurbished Portakabin building, there’s an option to suit you.
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Much more than a building
Find out moreFrom concept to completion and beyond – there’s a specialist behind every stage of your project.
With a truly 360˚ service from Portakabin, rest assured that there’s a team of modular experts managing every stage of your project and your classroom's lifecycle.
Let’s talk about your new modular building
We can call you or meet to discuss your project with you in detail