Why is a Schools's Staffroom so Important?
Everyone needs timeout and schools are realizing their
staffrooms are an extremely important part of a school's design. The school
staffroom is there for teaching staff to relax, re-energize and socialize with
their colleagues in between lessons.
Having their own break-out area as the space to take time
out from the hectic school day with help keep their morale high. The staffroom
acts as the perfect place for members of staff to take a well-deserved break,
just like the kids do, and informally socialize with other teachers too.
Five Important Functions of a School Staffroom
- A
place to work (Office)
- A
place to eat, drink, and talk (Café)
- A
place to escape and have some privacy (Refuge)
- A
place to find out information and news (Notice Board)
- A
place to nurture health and wellbeing (Biophilia)
1. A Place to Work (Office)
School staffroom designs are a popular design trend as many
schools are now realizing their staffroom is just as important as their
classrooms. It’s an area to ensure all needs are met which we do through
creative design. Schools are increasingly adapting their breakout areas so
teachers can relax and take a break in between lessons. This helps provide them
with confidence, support, and motivation to inspire development.
Create a calming color scheme
A cool blue helps to lower the heart rate and instills tranquillity
during their timeout from teaching.
Blue symbolizes trust and is beneficial to the body and the
mind.
Similarly, green will help to encourage a calm and creative mindset, which can be needed when teaching a classroom full of students. Often associated with depth and stability, the color green communicates a genuine and reliable outlook whilst boosting relaxation and intellectual thought.
Comfort is key
To create a hospitable staffroom soft furniture, such as
sofas, foot stalls, and bean bag chairs are ideal. Modular seating that’s
comfortable and supportive is great and they have the ability to be moved around.
This can encourage group conversations and then can be moved back when
individuals need a bit of space or are holding more private conversations.
Different choices of school seating in one area create a much less regimental feeling. Social tables, breakfast bars, booth seating, and comfy chairs with instant phone charging are all becoming the norm for school staffroom designs.
2. A Place to Eat, Drink and Talk (Café)
Having a space to take time out from the hectic school day
will help keep staff morale high in order to be energized for the remainder of
their day.
Creating that open kitchen, informal meeting area and
general catch-up chat areas with your colleagues is the focus. Rather than the staff
room design that is stereotypically known, the modern twist is to have wide
spaces reminiscent of a café area or internal canteen.
Everyone loves a cuppa during breaks, providing a zone where
staff can make drinks for a hydration fix is a must for all education
interior designs.
Hot water instant zip taps can speed up the process of making a drink.
Food for Thought
Staffrooms are, for the most part, used as an area to refuel
after a long morning. So it’s only right teachers have a place to refuel with
lunch in order to be energized for the rest of the day.
In order for staffrooms to work, there must be a suitable
kitchen area within the staffroom. This is so that every member of staff has
that time to take well-deserved breaks, so they can feel rejuvenated and
energized for their next lesson.
Tables are often overlooked but it is beneficial to staff that there are enough tables. Not only does this make it easier for members of staff for when they want to eat, but it also adds a social aspect to their breaks as several seats can be gathered around one table.
3. A place to escape and have some privacy (Refuge)
If you can create a change in your environment, you allow the brain to recharge in a calming area. This is essential for all of us when taking a timeout.
Staff rooms boost the morale of teachers, as having a place
that they can call their own in the workplace is essential to feeling like a
team player.
Making members of staff feel like they belong and are
supported reflects onto the students as well, improving results all around.
4. A place to find out information and news (Notice Board)
Glass whiteboards can be perfect for when a member of staff
needs to communicate with a particular department or even someone they aren’t
likely to bump onto that day or for brainstorming issues within the school.
Teachers will be able to share their notes in order to
create better-rounded lessons, or perhaps there is a pupil concern that
teachers have to keep an eye out on.
They are also superior
to the standard whiteboard as they are more durable, come in many
colors, and are easier to clean.
The funky options of glass whiteboards also mean that the daunting idea of spending time writing on a plain white canvas is a thing of the past.
A place to nurture health and wellbeing (Biophilia)
In 1984, Edward O.Wilson proposed that humans have a genetic
basis that leads them to focus on and affiliate with nature.
Incorporating plants into the staff room can prove to have
positive effects. Using natural
resources like plants and wood can prove to have positive psychological effects on
members of staff.
With the addition of lighting that supports the plants, a
relaxing atmosphere can blossom.
In the educational environment specifically, research shows that increased contact with nature can dramatically boost concentration. Humans have an instinctive biological connection with nature, this connection nurtures health and wellbeing.
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