Accelerated by the School Premise Act 2012 amendments, there has been a decline in staff rooms in education settings. No longer a legal requirement, many schools are forgoing a communal space for teachers.

So why should learning spaces still consider having one?

Oakwood School Kitchenette by BOYCO

A well-equipped staff room is a fantastic place for supporting teachers. It gives access to a space where educational resources, technology, and knowledge can be shared. A productive environment, it also enhances teaching abilities.

As staff rooms are the perfect place for teaching staff to catch up and chat, they’re a great collaborative hub for idea sharing across departments.

Thanks to our 60 years of experience, we sure know a thing or two about creating staff rooms that encompass everything that teaching staff need from these spaces. From design to installation, we’re here to offer a friendly helping hand for your next education project.

Benefits of a Well-Equipped Staff Room

We believe that providing the gives the following advantages to teachers and support staff in a school:

1. Boosts morale and motivation

A shared area for teachers, it promotes collaboration outside the classroom and offers a safe space to discuss challenges and achievements of the working day. This support helps staff feel connected and listened to, increasing teacher job satisfaction.

2. Supports comfort and refreshment of staff

Amenities, such as refreshment stations and soft furnishings for breaks, contribute towards the reduction of stress as teachers are able to recharge and relax.

3. Improves teacher professional development

A well-equipped staffroom also provides additional space for schools to use for meetings or workshops. This allows the sharing of best practices, where peers can offer knowledge or guidance if required.

A well-equipped staffroom also provides additional space for the sharing of best practices, where peers can offer knowledge or guidance if required due. An example of this in utilising it for meetings and workshops.

4. Helps create a school community

Equipment being readily available and Teachers having the option to relax helps foster a positive environment for all. Staff have the option to take personal time and chat amongst colleagues if they wish – this strengthens the relationships and contributes towards building a school community.

Designing a Functional Staff Room

We spoke with Ola, BOYCO’s Design Manager, about his staff room recommendations…

“Commonly when completing a school refurbishment, wet areas are part of the design plan. I often recommend going a step further and refurbishing the teacher staff room space; the same equipment can be used in both spaces. I believe the staff room is an essential part of the school building, so why not seize the opportunity and bring life to

Hobs, water taps, and fridges are all items that are used in wet areas, food technology rooms, and science laboratories, but they are also essential equipment in kitchen configurations that are used in staff rooms.

One product I would recommend in food and drink preparation areas is our Double Drainer Stainless Sink. Especially without a dishwasher, there is often a need for space to dry coffee cups and cutlery, this sink allows extra accommodation for water drips and protects the worktop surface.

A great pairing to this would be our Single Lever Mono Mixer Tap. This tap has ease of operation and is DDA compliant; it has a single push and pull lever to change water temperature as well as turn it on and off. Contributing towards an inclusive space, teachers have quick access to any temperature water no matter their ability.

Surfaces, such as tables and kitchenette configurations, are a key factor in creating a successful rest stop for teachers. In designing the space, considerations need to be made to accommodate that it is a high touch point area and needs to withstand hot items, such as coffee or microwaved foods, that could be placed upon it. Econotop ™ Worktops are a great choice for surface material with a 2mm PVC lip and 25cm laminated MDF structure. Moisture resistant, the worktop is easy to wipe clean and has a high impact edging for durability, perfect for daily use in the staff room.”

Along with Ola’s design support, did you know we offer end-to-end project management? Find out more here.

Personalising the Staff Room

Selecting both colours and concepts within the staff room can be tricky, with choices varying from school to school. It’s important that teachers feel a sense of ownership and pride in the area, as it will be a space which will be used daily to relax.

We offer a range of colours for our kitchenette configurations

Bespoke designs can be used to incorporate the ethos and culture of the school. For example, matching the colour scheme of the furniture to that of the student emblem emulates a sense of belonging to the wider school community. Small details such as table trims, or modular seating fabric colours, make a significant impact on the aesthetic that the environment. A great example of this is BOYCO’s kitchenette configurations, which are fully customisable when selecting of colours for the carcass, doors and handles.

Want to learn more about colour theory in schools? Read our guide here.

Additional options include notice boards or whiteboards for the walls of the staff room. These features in particular support open communication between teachers, as they can display achievements, important updates, and upcoming events of the school year.

Conclusion 

Not just a place for relaxation but also a place for learning, development, and support, school staffrooms are a critical part of teaching. Providing a well-equipped open space for communication enables members of staff to come together to improve the educational experience, as it gives teachers options to relax, refresh, connect, and develop.

Looking for tailored solutions for your education project? Click here to discover BOYCO’s bespoke range.