Current architectural trends have led many schools, both primary and secondary, to introduce open plan classrooms and large teaching areas. And just as open plan offices have been criticised for their lack of privacy and employees’ decreased ability to work productively, studies suggest that there is an urgent need to revaluate these designs in educational facilities.
A great deal of research has been conducted in relation to children, teachers, and school environments on teaching styles, teaching methods and open plan learning.
This research in school environments has been conducted for years but often focuses on the effects of external distractions. However, due to the increase in open plan classrooms, this has changed and it is now believed that open learning is simply not conducive to learning.
With open layouts, there is an increase in both noise and movement distractions. These distractions result in a significant drop in pupils’ performance, particularly when learning to read surrounded by background noise.
An example of a school where partitions have made a difference to the teachers and pupils’ daily lives is Building Additions recent involvement with installing moveable walls into Corbridge Middle School in the Tyne Valley and Mortin Trentside Primary School near Gainsborough.
As buildings that are in use most days of the year, it was important to both schools to put as much thought into their daily environments as possible. Building Additions was selected to install partitions that matched their requirements, fitting both the stage and classroom areas with partitions to section off spaces and minimise disruption.
Open plan classrooms don’t just negatively impact students but also their teachers too. According to work by Erlend Vinje, when asked about their perception of being able to encourage learning, the interviewed teachers from traditional schools showed far higher levels of satisfaction than their colleagues in open plan environments.
Teachers are often distracted by the levels of noise themselves and as a result find that communication is more difficult. It is also suggested that teachers in open plan environments are more susceptible to vocal strain and voice problems due to the need to elevate their voices.
It is clear that in the search for positive learning many strongly favour a traditional classroom model and teacher led organisation. However, there may be occasions for group learning and open space can then become ideal. Therefore, classrooms which are purpose built as flexible learning spaces with the correct acoustic treatment and operable walls that can be closed when a class is engaged in critical listening activities are essential.
Moveable walls are not only ideal for dividing these open learning areas but also partitioning rooms for individual study spaces and facilitating smaller group activities. Building Additions supplies different levels of acoustic performances as well as a wide range of finishes. These include bespoke images, such as maps or vision panels, and a multitude of stacking positions.
Building Additions is an established folding partition manufacturer based in Frome, Somerset with a reputation for manufacturing, supplying and installing quality room partitions and movable walls to businesses, educational organisations
and homes across the UK.
Further information is available from Building Additions on 01373 454577 by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the website at www.buildingadditions.co.uk
An example of a school where partitions have made a difference to the teachers and pupils’ daily lives is Corbridge Middle School in the Tyne Valley. Building Additions was selected to fulfil the school’s requirements and fitted the stage and classroom areas with partitions to section off spaces and minimise disruption.