About UsA family partnership.
Built on 46 years of combined expertise.
Foundry Education is built on a simple idea - that inclusion should be baked in from the start, not added later.
We are not a start-up. We are a unity of knowledge and expertise from two distinct but deeply connected worlds: education and construction.
Our Mission is Simple
To make a real, lasting difference for children and the schools that support them.
To help schools create the conditions for all children to achieve and thrive.
To put inclusion at the heart of all we do.
Our StoryMeet the Founders
2 Siblings. 1 Vision.
Founded by siblings, Foundry Education brings together the market-leading sustainable modular construction expertise of Foundry Living, and 26 years of state school leadership from a former headteacher with extensive experience in mainstream SEND.
Carly Waterman
Co-Founder and Education Director26 years’ experience in state secondary schools
Former English teacher, senior leader, and Headteacher
Former Director of ECT at Ambition Institute
Experienced governor, trustee and member
Former member of support and challenge group for DfE
Speaker, blogger and thought-leader
Daniel Burns
Co-Founder & Manufacturing Director20 years’ experience in modular construction and architectural design
Progressed from shop-floor roles to leading multi-million pound modular businesses
9 years as Director of an architectural design studio
Trained in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing across Europe
Proven track record of expert design, manufacturing and building delivery
Passionate about creating high-quality school spaces
Two experts. Different sectors. One goal.
Affordable, sustainable, inclusive spaces for schools.
Our PurposeWhere building meets belonging.
Foundry Education was crated to bridge a gap.
Schools want meaningful inclusion spaces. Modular construction can offer a fast, affordable solution. But too often these worlds are kept apart.
Construction providers may understand how to deliver a building, but not always the realities of inclusion in practice. School leaders understand their pupils and provision, but may not have the specialist design and construction expertise needed to shape the right space.
We bring both together - combining educational insight with design and build expertise to crate spaces that truly support belonging.
We believe that knowledge should be shared, not gatekept. That is why we openly publish insights, evaluations and case studies to support schools across the sector.
Our ValuesInclusion as a design principle.
We specialise in creating spaces for vulnerable children to regulate, feel safe, access trusted adults and take part in small group tuition. We don’t believe vulnerable children should sit on the margins of school life. We believe they deserve a space at it’s heart - thoughtfully designed to meet their needs.
At Foundry Education, our values and use these to shape every decision we make: how we design, how we build, and how we work with schools.
Human-Scale
Every decision starts with the lived experience of children, staff and families. We design spaces that feel calm, safe and purposeful - spaces that support daily school life while recognising the needs of children who use them most.
Children first
Spaces where children can be known, supported and feel safe to be themselves.
Relationships
Environments that strengthen connection between pupils, staff and families.
Shared responsibility
Shaped in partnership with schools, specialists and families.
Everyday usability
Practical layouts that work for the realities of school life.
Inclusion by Design
Inclusion is not an add-on. It is embedded from the very beginning - through evaluation, design, build and implementation - so that each space works for the children it is intended to support.
Belonging
Environments where every child can feel included, supported and able to thrive.
Evidence-informed design
Drawing on research, expertise and experience to meet a wide range of needs.
Flexibility
Adaptable spaces that can evolve as cohorts as requirements change.
Co-creation
Involving children, families and front-line staff in the design and use of inclusion spaces.
Durability & Value
We believe the most vulnerable children deserve spaces that feel high-quality, welcoming and built to last. Our buildings are designed to be sustainable, practical and affordable - delivering long-term value without compromising on dignity or care.
Affordability
Realistic access for schools and long-term value over time.
Transparent delivery
Clear pricing and a flexible menu of services.
Sustainability
Responsibly chosen materials and practices that support the environment.
Long-lasting quality
Modular buildings with the lifespan of permanent buildings, plus the flexibility to adapt as needs change.
Built around what matters most
Our values are not a statement added at the end of the process. They are the foundation of it.
They shape the spaces we create, the relationships we build and the impact we want those spaces to have over time.