Each and every classroom should be a 'courtyard' of challenge, excitement and invitation to work.  The history of the 'courtyard' as a welcoming meeting place is notable.  I want our classrooms to court the senses, the minds and hearts of our children, and (for the teachers) to be a pleasant place in which to dwell.  However, particularly in some ICT rooms, walls are barren and unchallenging, there is no room for notebooks and seats are uncomfortable  - there appears to be little sense of ownership - not the working environment I would want to be in!

Unfortunately, as hinted at elsewhere (resources #3) the physical size of classrooms is the overriding factor - it is far too often the case that ordinary classroom teachers are given a room and then expected to teach in it - "oh, and by the way, you will need to sort out your access to computers", comes as an afterthought.  My absolute conviction is that the provision of computer access, and the appropriate rooming to accommodate such computers, must be curriculum driven.  Ideally I would expect to see some computer access in every single classroom and study area - and certainly an IWB in EVERY classroom!   Admittedly, this is a little easier in a new-build situation.  However, it is now some 25 years ago since we first saw computers being introduced into schools - how any Curriculum Manager can lead a school without an informed appreciation of 21st century computer usage is a matter for serious concern.

At a time when we regularly hear of schools being closed due to under-capacity it seems strange to me that more cannot be done to use the spare rooms by knocking down dividing walls and redeveloping rooms to be large enough to take a full set of computers etc.  There are other serious considerations to be taken into account including heating, lighting, ventilation, display areas and storage.  Far too often I have seen a large classroom nicely fitted out with perimeter benching and desks, but no room for storage or difficult access to window blinds or no adequate ventilation etc.  Any one such inadequate feature can make the classroom an unpleasant experience and a teaching nightmare!

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