14: We’re a small school yet my staff would dearly love a music room – is there any way this could work? Some schools have divided their hall into two sections with an acoustic screen between, so that the hall can be larger for assemblies and PE but divided up for lessons. Again the float could also be used to provide an extra specialist space. 15: What’s the best way to organise pupils’ bags and coats? This depends on your school’s ethos and how circulation is organised. If each classroom has a direct exit to the playground then storage is best as near to the rooms as possible. If there are few exits then a centralised coats and bags arrangement may be more useful. 16: My old building had the toilets in a centralised area – is this still appropriate? Again this depends on your school’s ethos. Your LA may be able to advise you on this. Security of pupils must, however, be the most important consideration. 17: Do I need a staff room which enables all staff to work and socialise together at any one time? No, work and socialising can often take place in separate areas. A teacher’s half a day a week of noncontact time (as part of the school workforce regulations) will require a specific area for them to work, outside of the classroom. There is a particular need for a separate space in larger schools with a number of teachers working at any one time. 18: As a Headteacher I want a single library in a central position, yet my staff are keen to have two smaller libraries for infants and juniors. I can see some logic in this, however which is the better option? It is a decision for you as the school to make with the help of your LA. Consider the implications of your decision both in terms of resources and school re-organisation. Two separate spaces will allow specialisation of resources, but consider how you might staff them. 19: Why is there a higher ratio of computers to pupils shown in the schedules of smaller schools? In the schedules we have allowed for two computers in each classroom. In the ICT space we have assumed either 15 (for half a class) or 30 (for a full class) computers. In a small school this policy results in a higher ratio of computers, however, it is felt that it is a workable solution for all schools regardless of size, at least for the present. Use of wireless technology and integrated ICT may make this model obsolete over time, this is discussed in Section C with the Basic Teaching pages.
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