Ideas needed for setting up brand new classroom

[NeedCoffeeToFunction]

I am lucky enough to be moving into a new classroom next year as our school is currently being extended. The room will be for Year 2 children and will be about 10 metres by 10 metres, so there should be plenty of space. The builders are coming in next week so we have been asked to come up with a wish list. I know I want a sink and some of the floor with "Lino" on, as we only have carpet in the current room - not ideal for arts and crafts! The head wants us to be as innovative as possible so what do you think? I have already got ideas like reading corner, computer bays etc but feel like I might be missing something obvious that will really make the room stand out.
Any ideas will be great fully received, Thanks.

[OrlaNuttin]

It's a lovely position to be in, and having been there myself I would say try not to get too much fixed. If you're allowed, get moveable computer areas, moveable dividers to make reading corners or role play areas. As soon as things are fixed it becomes limiting. However, in our extension anything that was fixed, the LA paid for, anything not came from the school budget so you may not have too much choice!

Think about your main areas of movement e.g. To the door, from the cupboard to your whole class teaching area, the route to the toilets etc. then think about your more static areas and put fixed items there.

Storage! much like new houses, new classrooms tend to be short on storage so make sure you look at that -will you get a cupboard, shelves, under sink space?

Height, double check the sink etc is at the right height for your age group. Ditto any display boards - do you want them at the same height (child height, adult height?) or a mix?

I'd be tempted to ask for Lino throughout (esp if you're having underfloor heating) and then ask for a an enormous rug if you want a carpet area. Again, then you can move it and try out different room arrangements.

I'll have a think when I'm more awake and be back if anything else comes to mind!

[Ohnodisaster]

Can you have a fridge/freezer? Useful for storing their fruit in and useful for science and food tech lessons. A little worktop is useful too

[NeedCoffeeToFunction]

thanks for your replies. A fridge is a great idea and so is the Lino throughout.
Our furniture had to be fixed too if it is to be covered by the LA. Going to sit down soon with graph paper and work out exactly how much I can fit in! thanks again

[sashh]

I saw a thing ages ago, it was an American school but the teacher had one of those high bunks as a reading area - not sure on H and S but the kids liked to pick a book and read where they could watch things - i think it might have been a privilege they earned. The books were stored underneath the bunk.

How about asking some of the children, maybe year 6 what they would have liked.

[NeedCoffeeToFunction]

love the idea of asking the older children!

[bec5670]

Some of our classrooms have a long worktop with one side at child height and other side at adult height with a sink in each. Great to be able to wash paintpots etc without getting backache from stooping!

[NeedCoffeeToFunction]

that's a great idea about the higher sink especially as myself and the TA are both nearly six foot!

[clam]

Lots of plug sockets! I've just had a new computer trolley delivered which is about the size of the QE2. Nowhere to plug the darned thing in.

[CharlesRyder]

Make sure you have enough boards on the walls.

Sounds like you are in the nice position of being allowed to have a lot of input. I just went through a new build at my last school and every wall in the new classrooms had windows in. Lovely for the light but it was not possible to have a board big enough to display a class set of work/pictures.

[JennyBlueWren]

Is there a wall with no windows which you could ask to be entirely cupboards? The cupboard doors can be used for displays too and it makes such hand storage space (had this in my last classroom and it was wonderful!). Otherwise a cupboard running all along one wall under the windows.
Do you need a fixed computer area or will you have laptops? A fixed area can be hard to change.

[NeedCoffeeToFunction]

thanks for all the ideas! we've been told we can have lots of input - within the budget of course. One wall will be all windows so going to ask for a work top along it with lots of storage underneath probably a mixture of open shelves and cupboards. Our head is very keen on displays so I'm sure we'll be given lots of display boards. The idea of plug sockets is a good one as the current classroom only has 2 and we keep having to juggle computers, printers etc.