There should be spaces for teachers to meet with colleagues.

Consideration should be given to the amount of time staff spend in individual offices as sharing is often appropriate. There can be overlaps in some staff areas between staff and pupil use as long as privacy and security are assured. Whatever the arrangement, access to networked ICT and a telephone is essential for all staff. There will also need to be areas for secure filing and personal storage.
A wider range and greater number of support staff are being deployed in schools which has implications for their accommodation, network access, personal storage, recreation spaces and access to the staff with whom they work. Peripatetic staff can share staff areas and the school refreshment facilities but a separate area may be considered for adults such as visiting speakers.
Some secondary schools are now experimenting with doing away with the central staff room, providing only local departmental offices. There is also a trend (as with pupil areas) towards merging social and work spaces.

2A.7 SERVICE SPACES

> toilets and hygiene rooms > changing areas > storage > kitchens > ICT support spaces

• Better quality toilets can raise pupil morale.
• Special educational needs must be considered in all service spaces.
• Adult provision should be sufficient for all staff and for community users.

Service spaces are core facilities that support the main school spaces. They are often neglected but they should be given full consideration.

Toilets, hygiene areas and changing
School toilets are the subject of much discontent amongst pupils, affecting their self-esteem. Problems include too many units in a group; poor maintenance; poor ventilation and undersized cubicles. Usage patterns must be considered as toilets are heavily used for a limited period (this applies also to staff toilets). However this may become less of an issue with a more flexible timetable. There should be adequate provision for adults including peripatetic staff and visiting community users. The needs of disabled pupils and adults will need to be taken into account and in some cases this will require hygiene suites.
Changing facilities associated with sport and maybe drama activities must take into account both community and special needs users. The standard of accommodation may need to be enhanced to suit extensive community use

'Clean toilets that lock, with soap, and flushes not chains'
Childrens Manifesto, the Guardian 'School I'd Like competition