New school build?

[Smartieshavetheanswer]

I work in a newly built school. Over 110 staff, staff room has 2 tables, 8 upright chairs and then kitchen units and a sink/micro/kettle.

Nowhere for us to gather, we eat lunch in our classrooms. 9/10 pupils come to us for general help. I feel there's no real escape - there are some days where break and lunch are sanity savers.

I spoke to another teacher in a different school who are expecting a refurb. They are losing their staff rooms (1 room per block - large comprehensive) and having 1 small eating area similar to ours.

That teacher reckons that gathering in large teacher groups is being discouraged and instead, we are encouraged to stay in our classrooms to encourage working and discourage gossiping.

What happens in your schools?

[CanILeavenowplease]

I have worked in a new build with a large staff room so it’s by no means all schools. At the same time, I have supplied in a situation you describe. The school in question is one of the worst in the area and SLT were, in my opinion, very weak. It was certainly to their advantage that staff struggled to congregate.

[Smartieshavetheanswer]

CanIleave that certainly strikes a chord with me. Thanks.

[leccybill]

Worked in a new build academy with no staffroom. The head actively discouraged staff from mixing socially.

[brizzlemint]

We have a staff room which seats about six very close friends, consequently it's rarely used.

[Smartieshavetheanswer]

Why do they do this? Is it to encourage us to separate ?

[Silversky70]

I was in a new build with no central staff room, but Thete were department hubs. It was definitely divide and conquer. Horrible place.

Have a wonderful staff room currently but nobody uses it at all. I've spent lunch breaks walking and sitting in my car.

[elephantoverthehill]

Our new build was designed without a staff room. A lot of changes of Heads but we have a staff room now.