Classroom arrangement

"A range of activities and ways of working need to be accommodated to suit a flexible learning style. This includes working individually or in small groups and taking part in whole group discussions or presentations (by pupils or teacher). The needs of different users mustbe considered." - Schools for the future. DfES. (2002)



Flexibility in education also implies flexibility in the classroom. The arrangement of classrooms is constantly changing. And especially the arrangement of the pupils' desks. In many classrooms, the so-called phenomenon of the "theme corners" can be encountered. There is a narrative corner, a computer area, a working area, a music corner... Interestingly, these corners often do not change over the years throughout the period that a teacher is using the same room. Only the space between the corners, usually one packed with benches and chairs, more or less directed towards the board, could be reconfigured. The arrangement may change according to the signals given by the students, because of a special activity taking place,...


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Typical primary classroom with furniture rearranged for different activities

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Source: New World of Learning (VANERUM Group).