Staff Room at Whitehill Primary – Video

Their Learning Escape provides a quiet, tranquil area for teachers to relax in

Whitehill Primary School prides itself in being a happy, helpful and hardworking school. It’s not just the children who need space to fulfill these roles, so the school decided to develop a Learning Escape staffroom. Headteacher Jane Porter tells us how the new building has given the teachers space to relax.

Why did you want to develop an outdoor staffroom?

We knew that we would need to develop a new space at Whitehill Primary School in the next two to three years to cope with the growing roll. We had already turned the previous staff room into a class area and had an outside quad that was under used, so we decided to create a new staffroom that would be efficient, eco-friendly and the building of which would cause little disruption.

What made The Learning Escape stand out from other providers?

We approached The Learning Escape about our space and they were very quick to respond and offer advice. The ecological features of the building and its construction were a big selling point to us as we wanted to create a light, airy space. We knew that elements such as the sun pipes would make the outdoor room a great place for staff to relax amongst a busy school.

What are the biggest benefits you’ve noticed for the children and your school?

When the staff are using the area, they’ve said it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of a busy school. It’s a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of school life and it’s a lovely place to relax. It’s not just the staff who are making good use of the new building, it is now also home to all of our school council meetings. The pupils on the board feel very important to be the only children allowed inside the new room and this pride is reflected in the decisions they make about the future of our school.

How did you find working with The Learning Escape overall?

Our time spent with The Learning Escape has been a great success. The project had such a quick turn around and the children loved watching it go up. It was a really exciting experience and the team worked hard to ensure the process didn’t disturb our classes. The health and safety of our pupils and staff was considered at all stages and it’s fantastic to know how the building is helping and interacting with the environment.