Editorial The hard work begins A Alex Smith, editor Email: asmith@cibsejournal.com Twitter: @alexsmith68 n Ofsted rating scheme for school building performance would make grim reading. Its not uncommon to see schools ranked Outstanding for teaching but, if the results of the Innovate UK Building Performance Evaluation programme are anything to go by, there would be few education buildings with the same grade for energy efficiency and performance. A number of post-occupancy evalutions (POEs) were carried out in the programme, including one published in a new CIBSE guide that is intended to transform the way we build and operate schools. TM57 Integrated Schools Design focuses on performance in use, and Dejan Mumovic explains how the technical memorandum (TM) can lead to more informed clients and a better understanding of the factors relating to the design process. One school with proven performance is Westborough Academy, the winner of the Refurbishment Project of the Year at the 2015 CIBSE Building Performance Awards. The successful integration of photovoltaics and biomass boilers has resulted in a 30% reduction in carbon emissions and it performs 17% better than a typical primary school. Part of the success was down to the phasing of the scheme, which enabled the project team to apply lessons learned on insulation detailing and services onto the next stage. Soft landings were key. Detailed training for designers, contractors and staff covered biomass installation and controls and the school was given support postcompletion. This is vital for continued performance and something strongly encouraged in TM57.