Learning Spaces
Our School currently has three operational Learning Hubs, each is an open modern learning space that accomodates the equivalent of 3 classes of learners and 3 teachers.
We value what our learners think. Here is some examples of recently
gathered student voice outlining what they think about learning in open
spaces.
“On the first day of school when I stepped into the class I felt really
comfortable and there were a lot of students there which made me more
comfortable.”
“At my old class we had set places- you sit here,
you sit here, you sit
here. But here it’s nice and comfortable.”
This notion of our learning spaces being comfortable is a common thread. As adults, where do we choose to learn? Will we make sure we’re comfortable first?
Stephen Heppell suggest that if you ask
children to bring in from home the seat that they’d prefer to sit on
when reading, none of them would bring in an old wooden kitchen chair.
Instead they’d bring bean bags, the couch, an arm chair, or their bed!
“I sometimes prefer some places to others. Sometimes I like the places
with the light. Sometimes I prefer places that are a bit quieter. It
depends on what work I'm doing. If it's really hard work sometimes I
just go to a quiet place.”
“It's more open. Everything was set (at my old school) and there wasn't
much choice. Here there are more people to help you. More people that
know more information about what you're learning about.”
Furnishings
Careful consideration, time and energy went into deciding on the furnishings for Stonefields School. We did lots of reading and investigating around future School environments.