Need a break from the classroom?
Posted On: 12/11/2015 | In the Category: classroom furniture, classroom space planning, News, School design, School furniture, School interiors, School refurbishment
It is reported that stress levels among England’s teachers are soaring, with some saying that it’s the biggest cause of staff absence!
Although workload is often blamed for the cause of such stress, the surroundings and facilities available in the school/college can also have a major impact. For this very reason, we are finding that a designated place to take a break is fast becoming an essential part of creating efficient and effective learning environments! This ‘place’ is normally referred to as the staffroom…
Staffrooms come in all shapes and sizes – from small rooms with a few clusters of tables and chairs to large spaces with soft seating and a food preparation area. They all have one thing in common; it’s a place where teachers and other school staff come and go between classes. To some it represents a place of calm, away from the demands of the classroom, giving them a place to grab a coffee and catch up with colleagues, while to others it’s a place for last minute lesson planning and marking or to hold team meetings, for newer staff it’s somewhere they get advice and support.
They can be rooms buzzing with activity, or they can resemble the Mary Celeste… If yours reminds you of the latter it could quite possibly have something to do with the state of the actual surroundings!
Given that teachers are the heart of any school, isn’t it time that you gave them a space they deserve and actually want to use?
A perfect haven for staff to relax
Classrooms to Washrooms and everything in between
Although, before you reach for the phone to call the local painter and decorator, you first need to establish what the space is used for, or what you would like it to be used for once the makeover is complete…
Our research suggests that most teachers use/would like to use the staffroom as a multi-functional space, therefore the interior design you choose should reflect this.
One thing is for sure, it should be different from the rest of the school, a haven away from the demands of students. Even a small distinction from the look and routine of the classroom will encourage staff to use the space.
At Whitespace we are finding that more and more schools are recognising the need for a comfortable space where staff can relax, a place where they feel they are having and benefiting from, time away from the classroom.
Working closely with you throughout the design process, we can transform your staffroom into a relaxing yet functional environment that will inspire from the moment you step through the door.
From time to time the ‘heart’ needs to recover. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation.