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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

U shaped seating arrangements

16 replies

TwllBach · 14/10/2012 23:59

What do you think? I'm an NQT with a lower junior class and have always loved the idea of a u shaped seating plan. Is it a big no no in primary? No other class I can think of/have been in has it and I don't want my NQT and PPA cover to think I'm a nob any more than she does already

OP posts:

IHeartKingThistle · 15/10/2012 00:04

I don't know about doing it in primary but you have to watch out where the door is or it's a nightmare getting them all in and out! I love it in theory too!

LindyHemming · 15/10/2012 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

TwllBach · 15/10/2012 16:55

Ooh see that's what I had in mind with the 'teaching table!' The pots and pens thing wouldn't be such an issue because they're in rows anyway, but I would love to have my classroom like that. I think I would have room

Part of the reason is that they are quite an enthusiastic class ad I feel like it will half the chance for chatter. My whiteboard and my IWB are intel separate walks, but I would only ever need one row to turn round. Maybe I'll try it! If I can get in early enough tomorrow morning I will brave it and do it. The cleaners will love me anyway - it'll be so much easier to Hoover!

OP posts:

IHeartKingThistle · 15/10/2012 16:58

Not sure it'll halve the chance for chatter tbh! In my experience they use the opportunity to talk ACROSS the room! Works wonderfully with a class who are great at discussion though.

PropositionJoe · 15/10/2012 17:00

Did you do it op?

bigTillyMint · 15/10/2012 17:03

I prefer this seating plan and have used it in both mainstream primary and special primary settings - in mainstream with the teaching table in the middle. I hate group tables if I am trying to do class teaching as half of them aren't facing the whiteboard, and they chat too much
I don't like rows much either as some children are inevitably right at the back whereas with the U-shape they are all sort of equidistant.

Go for it!

Original poster

TwllBach · 15/10/2012 18:43

I haven't done it yet but I may well see if I'm brave enough tomorrow.

I don't like group tables either. I also have this feeling that it will make the classroom look bigger and neater - less chance of walking tables! And then I have ideas for the nice big space in the middle. We can sit there for stories, stand there for singing, use it for acting in... And I can seat them by ability. Maybe. I'm not sure about that yet though. Oh how exciting!

In other news, I'm going to have to try and be less 'nice' tomorrow

OP posts:

QueenofLouisiana · 15/10/2012 19:08

I have a U in my yr 4/5 classroom. In the middle of the U I have 6 places for small group teaching, group reading etc. I like it as it means less people right beside my pickles to piss around everyone can see the board and eachother, pretty much. The only problem is stupid boys who feel the need to dive under the tables to be first on line for assembly. I'd love to know how you get on!

Original poster

TwllBach · 15/10/2012 19:30

Oh I'm so excited I don't even know why I feel like its so radical.

OP posts:

Original poster

TwllBach · 15/10/2012 19:30

Speaking of assembly... I hate assembly. I feel so pressured to make sure we are in and orderly and I always get us stuck in a queue

OP posts:

LindyHemming · 15/10/2012 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

TwllBach · 15/10/2012 20:15

Maybe I will tell them that's how people sit at university and then they will feel all grown up!

OP posts:

LindyHemming · 15/10/2012 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sashh · 16/10/2012 07:00

This is common in school for Deaf children, I've also used it in FE and I find it works well.

I have no experience of primary doing this but I don't see anything wrong with it.

Knowsabitabouteducation · 16/10/2012 19:35

My DD is in year 6 and she is in U-shaped seating. It was the same for Y5, but prior to that they had tables in groups of 4. They use the space in front for -a vestigial "carpet time", even though they have outgrown this in the lofty heights of Y6.

My PGCE students always want to put my tables in a U-shape. It must be a trend. I find that it means that there is very little space around the outside and a big dead space in the middle. And I have to develop a talent for reading upside down.

Personally, I am happy to have my tables arranged in rows, and to do a two minute pushing together of tabled for a particular collaborative task. I don't like pupils not seeing the front of the class head on, so if I am doing a lot of board work, I want them in rows.

You have to ask what is the purpose of U-shaped vs rows or groups. Neither U-shaped nor rows lend themselves to group work. U-shaped vs rows means that everyone gets a direct view of the front (with some at an angle). However, U-shaped is harder to push into groups quickly, so less flexible. That is why I prefer rows.

bigTillyMint · 16/10/2012 20:30

My DC were also in U-shapes in Y5/6. The last time I did a U-shape in mainstream was about 10 years ago, so hardly a new phenomenon!

And yes, move the tables to suit the teaching/learning method!

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