Datchet school creates new 'calm classrooms' as part of re-design

A school in Datchet has created new ‘calm classrooms’ as part of a whole-school re-design of its classroom layout.

Eton End School’s new classrooms are a change from traditional classrooms and have been created and designed by a team of professional child therapists, based on research that shows children learn best in a calm and comfortable environment, not surrounded by bright colours, noise and harsh lighting.

The design emphasises neutral colours, ambient lighting, comfortable seating, and a feeling of space.

A team of specialist child psychologists from TPC Therapy, based in Cheshire, helped to design and put together the classrooms.

Rachael Cox, head of Eton End said: “Since I joined the school back in September I have been conducting a listening exercise involving children, parents and staff, looking at how we can improve the school environment and helping me to understand what they liked and what frustrated them about the school.

“When I spoke to the children about their learning environment, the thing they wanted to change most of all was the chairs.

“It sounds like small thing, but it was obviously a big thing for them.

“It made me go back and completely re-think how we organise our classrooms and learning spaces.

“I wanted to create an environment where our children were comfortable and could concentrate on learning.”

She added: “Children will always achieve their best when they have a sense of emotional and psychological safety as well as being physically comfortable.

“Our school classroom design and furnishings have not really changed much for centuries and it is time to stop, think about the world beyond the school gates and create environments which inspire and support pupils to develop the skills they need in the twenty-first century.”