This 'Back to School' issue of Education Business magazine is published during more turbulent times for the education industry, with some schools having to move to remote learning due to the presence of unsafe Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)being confirmed in their buildings.

Indeed, the National Audit Office warned back in June that an estimated 700,000 children are being taught in ageing or unsafe school buildings in England.

This is a situation that will take time to remedy. But Jackie Maginnis from the Modular and Portable Building Association, shares how a volumetric approach could help fast-track improvements to the school estate and speed up the school building programme.

There's also information on the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which provides funding and support to education settings that want to become more energy efficient and sustainable.

This issue also focuses on transformative education technology, given the rise in popularity of generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGTP. Dr Neelam Parmar examines the impact this technology will have on our education system, and Claire Penketh from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, discusses the pros and cons of using AI in education.

We also examine other technology trends that are making waves in education, such as gaming and virtual reality - examples of which can be seen at Bett UK in January 2024.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Angela Pisanu, editor