Whitespace Consultants

Teachers need a break too…

Posted On: 12/11/2014 | In the Category: News, office breakout areas, School design, School furniture, School interiors, School refurbishment

They say the most stressful thing you can do in life is move house.  Or is it get married?  Although, ask any teacher and they would probably disagree.  Surely the most stressful thing you could do is teach? But, it’s not always the job role and workload that affect staff wellbeing, the surroundings and facilities available can also have a major impact. For this very reason, a designated place to take a break is fast becoming an essential part of creating efficient and effective working environments in every space, not just offices!  In schools 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.  Some use it as a place to unwind, grab a coffee and chat with colleagues, while others use it for last minute lesson planning and/or marking.  Some staffrooms are always buzzing with activity, while some are not… The latter may have something to do with the actual surroundings… Given that the wellbeing of staff in a school is key to it’s success, isn’t it time that you gave your staffroom a makeover?

Although, before you rush out and buy paint and beanbags, 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 the staffroom as a place to:

  • Work – plan lessons, marking
  • Eat, drink and catch up with colleagues
  • Recharge their batteries
  • Store personal belongings
  • Hold meetings

As a multi-functional space 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 smallSN9A8259_OSS distinction from the look and routine of the everyday can 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, our aim is to provide you with an environment that will inspire from the moment you step through the door. The best thing for students is happy motivated staff… So, what are you waiting for?  Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation.

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