Implications on 10Year Property Plan
Learning Company requirements
The following are the desired facilities for The Learning Company:
- 8-9 learning spaces for 1:15 ratio.
- A large open plan layout with movable dividers or individual spaces.
- ICT network access
- A facility for a large group to assemble.
- Resource storage
- Pigeon holes for staff and students
- Tea making facility for staff and students
- Toilet and shower nearby
- Workout area to cater for learning styles
- Access to specialist facilities eg Art, Science
The concept requires these facilities are close together located on one floor. Due to the planned increase in non-contact time to 5 hours per week, all spaces will be shared between two or more teachers, and resources and equipment will be stored in the central resource area.
Each learning area will contain:
- networked computers for student and teacher use.
- a computer port adjacent to the teacher for presentations / teaching./li>
- connections for a large screen for presentations: computer or TV or data show.
- tables that can be moved and rearranged at will (but not desks).
Other equipment will be shared between learning areas, but will require secure storage when not in use.
Proposed school wide development.
Current proposals are based on the concept of specialist areas for some subjects eg Art, Science and Technology and general purpose areas for the remainder eg Maths, Social Science. These general purpose areas are modules of 3-4 teaching spaces grouped around a central resource area. They are not subject-specific, and could be reallocated with minimal changes.
Effect of TLC on school wide development.
The TLC could be accommodated in the school wide proposal by allocating two general purpose modules across the top floor of a Nelson Block.
If some of the learning areas are developed as small rooms of less than 40 m2 to cater for the proposed 1:15 ratio, then these will reduce the number of teaching spaces counted by MoE in the school's total. This may be achieved by semi-permanent dividers within a larger space, though these may result in noise transmission between rooms for conventional classes. Alternatively existing classrooms may be combined with adjacent stairwells or corridors by changes to internal walls.
The numbers of students involved in TLC will impact on the space required by individual departments, potentially freeing up teaching spaces currently used by small senior subjects. Some facilities are not allowed to be placed upstairs, eg science labs, so use of the specialist department facilities will be required by TLC at times. This may be on a period by period basis or timetabled in.
Summary
The rapid development of The Learning Company may require ongoing changes to facilities, but the features listed above are adaptable for use by other areas of the school. The effects on the 10yr Property Plan are effectively minimal.