Today, staff rooms are no longer mandatory.
Some newer schools are not even considering having a staff room – opting for an online community over against a face-to-face communal space. But can that ever truly replace that lunch time get together with your peers to discuss the day so far and afternoon ahead? Will scrapping the traditional staff room result in a closer community of teachers that build relationships or encourage people to lock themselves away? Only time will tell. But the facts are that 61% of employees say support from colleagues has helped them get through a hard time (Globoforce survey)
Why you SHOULD consider keeping the traditional staff room
The staff room is no longer just a place to spend your lunch hour. It is a place to work undistracted by students, an escape away from noisy corridors, a change of scene, a break-out area, a library to store important documents, and a place to conduct meetings.
Staff rooms boost the morale of teachers. This communal area is where teachers can connect with one another. A reminder that working in a school is a team effort. Teachers need that network and this support reflects positivity onto the students, improving results all around.
Teachers are under constant scrutiny. From peers, superiors, parents and Ofsted so it is no surprise that a 2016 NASUWT survey found 79% of school staff had experienced work-related anxiousness. Teacher trainer Duncan Foord comments,
‘the atmosphere in the staff room, and the relationships you form with colleagues, can provide the confidence, support and motivation to inspire development’
so is banishing the staffroom essentially reducing the chances of teachers communicating and talking through issues?
Workplace conditions are a huge factor of a teacher’s well-being
The culture of the school is often communicated by how often staff get together in the staff room.
Staff room arrangement and how it is used shows clarity about the schools culture. Is the furniture organised so staff will be encouraged to mingle? Or do staff sit in gatherings of small, separate groups? Are teachers stimulated to improve relationships with one another, share ideas and advice, or simply discuss weekend shenanigans?
We believe a well-designed staff room can make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of teachers, improving student results as a consequence.
Recently we designed and refurbished the staff room at John Ball School with soft seating, bistro and kitchen. Making the most of the space was a key factor in the design of the staff room. John Ball now have an office, kitchen and social area all in one – the staff love their new space
“We can’t believe this is our school!” ~ Julie Joyce, Finance Manager.
At Taskspace we aim to transform working and learning spaces through inspiring yet affordable interiors; where learning and working are not just duties, where a dynamic environment is commonplace, where work and school are superior places to be. To find out more, call us on: 01582 867 323 or email us at: sales@taskspace.co.uk