Designing science accommodation in schools – other learning spaces

The usual science accommodation has been all laboratories, each fully fitted out. This is the most flexible provision in terms of traditional curriculum models, schools’ timetables and management systems. If a school’s vision for its pupils’ learning looks forward to alternative types of spaces to complement laboratories, there must be corresponding shifts in management of staff, the curriculum, timetabling, organisation of pupil groups, and the timings and scheduling of the school day.

Such spaces might include group or individual learning areas, ICT areas, demonstration theatres, microbiology (clean) areas, environmental areas, greenhouses, etc. Project Faraday provides an excellent range of examples. The majority of spaces will need to be supplied with services to allow a wide range of practical work to be carried out.