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RYDAL
SCHOOL, Colwyn Bay, North Wales A schoolís central
resource area is vital.
School
ICT facilities may be shared with the community.
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2A.3
RESOURCE SPACES
>
central library/ICT resource >
local resource areas >
specialist resource areas >
study areas >
quiet spaces
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These spaces are critical to the success of independent
working.
• These spaces should
be used flexibly, overlapping with other uses.
Resource areas are spaces where pupils can work away
from a large group, both during and out of timetabled
hours. They are a critical factor in the success of
independent working and so are an important part of
the school of the future. Pupils need easy access to
places where they can work alone or in small groups.
Some level of supervision is likely to be necessary.
Pupils will also spend part of their time working individually
in a group space (see above). For some specialist resource
areas a booking system may apply, but it is important
that a resource area should generally be freely available.
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The overlaps
between these and other spaces such as social areas and circulation
spaces are important if a space is going to be efficiently used.
Many of these spaces will also be used by the community. Their size
will depend on the age range of pupils, the number of school and
community users, and the way in which the school organises its learning.
Central
library/ICT resource
A central resource area will continue to be a vital part of any
school, although the balance between books and other resources,
ICT equipment and study space is now changing and will continue
to do so. A central resource area provides a focus for the whole
school and can provide a pleasant place for individual study and
research, for both school and community.
A library for the future is the central ICT resource housing the
schoolís most sophisticated equipment and software. At secondary
level there will also be a number of linked local ICT resource areas
around the school (see below). Cybercafes are becoming popular,
used by both school and community. The library can also provide
the main ICT link between home and school. Some schools may have
an additional specialised ICT facility that may be shared with other
schools as well as the community.
A library that is used concurrently by the community is likely to
be larger than one used solely by the school, in order not to compromise
pupil use. There may be a need for more office and storage space
and additional furniture and equipment. If the school library doubles
as a full community library, accessibility and security are especially
important, particularly in a primary school.
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