When designing a new infrastructure for an establishment my first policy is to ensure an even distribution of workstations throughout all curriculum areas.  For a smaller school I suggest one 'high-density' room of 35 Data Access Points (DAPs) for each Faculty area, several 'medium density' rooms (10 DAPs) and every other classroom at least four DAPs.  Additionally, if possible, an extra high-density room each for Business Studies and ICT.  [NB some DAPs for peripherals and flexibility of positioning.]

In one 'new-build' situation I had to argue strongly with the DfEE that their restrictions on room sizes (based on an area formula per child) was not acceptable - echoing the same arguments we had had a generation previously about the sizes of multi-media workshops!  Eventually we managed to change some blocks of 4 classrooms into 3 classrooms in order to gain the additional areas needed to include computer benching.

In two other schools I managed to 'bag' unused Food Technology rooms which were large enough to allow for perimeter benching and work tables in the centre of the room!  After 'gutting' the rooms and de-greasing the walls and ceilings I then installed the furniture, fittings, cabling, computers and software - all in the Summer holidays - ready for a start in September!

Issues of security need to be addressed along with air conditioning, appropriate seating, lighting and blinds, storage of resources, and, above all, OWNERSHIP.  As we all know too well, equipment which is not 'owned' by a department soon becomes neglected, mistreated and generally uncared for.  It has therefore been my policy to encourage individual departments to take responsibility for the care of the ICT resources they have at their disposal.

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