Group spaces clockwise from far left: science laboratory (JERSEY COLLEGE FOR GIRLS, Jersey); music room; and primary class base (ALFRED SALTER SCHOOL, Southwark, London)

2A.1 GROUP SPACES

> primary class bases > secondary general learning spaces > practical > spaces spaces with specialist equipment >seminar rooms

• Group spaces will continue to be essential learning spaces.
• Group spaces will be slightly bigger than current recommendations.

Group spaces are where learners are organised into a group, although they won’t usually spend an entire session learning as a whole group.
While a typical group size is 20 to 30, sizes will vary from, for example, 10 to 15 in a discussion group, to 80 to 90 listening to a talk from a visiting speaker. Group spaces may be general or be serviced and/or equipped for practical activities (such as science) or specialist activities (e.g. music).
Group spaces are likely to continue to be the largest category of space in a school in the future. In theory, individualised learning could result in pupils learning anywhere, accessing information and contributing through ICT with teachers moving around giving support. However, working alongside others is a vital part of learning.

A base is also important, particularly for young children and there will still be a need for presentation and discussion style learning, whether it is to introduce and discuss a project or to have a traditional skills lesson. Practical activities will still need to be catered for with specialist spaces (despite the possibilities of 'virtual' experience).
Group spaces are likely to be larger than current guidance suggests mainly because of the effect of increased inclusion. Types of group space are likely to be similar to those of today but flexibility will be important so that, for example, a larger group space could be created from two smaller spaces when more than one group want to work together or for community use.
The degree to which group spaces are shared by the community, whether during or outside the school day, will vary from school to school. Primary school group spaces (particularly at infant level) are less likely to be shared because of the differences in furniture size and the vulnerability of displays. There may instead be separate spaces designated for community use, for which the design criteria will be similar to those outlined below.