SPACE REQUIREMENTS
IN CLASSROOMS: NUT
HEALTH AND SAFETY
GUIDANCE
Overcrowding is a common problem in classrooms. Unfortunately, there are no legal
minimum space requirements specifying classroom dimensions. There are, however, a
number of legal provisions and sources of guidance that can be drawn upon in
challenging cramped teaching areas.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
On a general note, section 2(2)(d) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
requires the employer - so far as is reasonably practicable – to maintain a place of work
“in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance
of means of access to and egress from it that are safe and without such risks.”
Moreover, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place
specific legal duties on employers to carry out risk assessments for all aspects of
workplace health and safety. This includes assessing spaces for potential hazards such
as slips, trips and falls – which would arguably be greater in crowded and confined
spaces – and to take reasonably practicable steps to prevent or, where this is not
possible, reduce any risks identified.
A key risk which must be assessed is that of fire. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005 requires that “in the event of danger, it must be possible for all rooms and
work stations to be evacuated quickly”. The employer has a duty under this legislation to
undertake a risk assessment of the premises and give due consideration to fire hazards
and safe evacuation. Should a classroom be overcrowded, safe evacuation could be
impeded in the event of a fire.
The HSE has produced a classroom checklist, which can be downloaded at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/classroom-checklist.htm. This may assist in identifying health
and safety issues which could be exacerbated by classroom overcrowding.
Furthermore, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 specify in
Regulation 10 that:
“every room where persons work shall have sufficient floor area,
height and unoccupied space for the purposes of health, safety and welfare”
The Approved Code of Practice which accompanies this Regulation specifies that the
total volume of the room when empty, divided by the number of people normally working
in it, should be at least 11 cubic metres. These regulations apply to employees rather
than pupils and unfortunately the figure of 11 cubic metres does not apply to ‘rooms
being used for lectures, meeting and similar purposes’. It could be argued, however,
that this figure is a useful point of reference.
SOURCES OF GUIDANCE ON CLASSROOM SPACE
The following key reference documents provide a useful foundation in this regard:
Building Bulletin 98: Briefing Framework for Secondary School Projects; Building Bulletin
99: Briefing Framework for Primary School Projects and Building Bulletin 102: Designing
for Disabled Children and Children with Special Educational Needs.
These publications establish clear guidance on what should be considered as
appropriate space requirements in different types of classrooms, alongside
corresponding pupil numbers. Whilst the proportions quoted are not statutory, and may
not reflect current DfE policy or guidance, they do nevertheless demonstrate good
practice. The three bulletins are available on the DfE website.
Bulletin 98 is at
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.u
k/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/BB-98;
Bulletin 99 can be found at
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.u
k/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/BB-99; and
Bulletin 102 is available at
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.u
k/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/BB-102.
In primary and middle schools, the ‘standard’ classroom size for a class of 30 pupils is
around 70m2 (see Building Bulletin 99: Briefing Framework for Primary School Projects).
Such space limitations automatically place constraints on the amount of ‘free’ space
available in the classroom, the types of work attempted and the ability of teachers and
classroom assistants to engage and supervise effectively. For more complex design
and technology, science or art projects many schools make use of shared specialist
practical areas which can be accessed as required by all classes on a rota basis. It is
less likely, however, that such space will be available in older school buildings.
As regards secondary provision, the table below gives a summary of area guidelines
for different secondary subjects depending on the activities taking place in them.
Recommended area (m2) according to group size
Space type
For
Standard classroom
434
Science laboratory KS3/4
Sixth form science laboratory 90
General art room KS3/4
Large art room (textiles or 3D)
Sixth form art room
77
Textiles room
85
Graphic products
85
Electronics and control systems 90
Resistant materials
112
Resistant materials/engineering
116
Food room
101
Music classroom
Drama studio/music recital room
For 20
43
90
77
85
85
90
112
116
101
For
51
77
105
7
90
90
For 25
51
77
105
77
90
90
For
60
90
For 30
60
90
90
105
90
105
57
77
57
77
67
67
90
It will be noted that for design and technology subjects BB98 sets out a clear expectation
that group sizes should not exceed 20 students.
Meanwhile, Building Bulletin 102 addresses the issues of classroom space requirements
for children with SEN and disabilities, such as moving around, using mobility aids, using
specialist equipment, safe vehicular movement, safe clearances around furniture and
equipment, and storage of equipment and teaching resources.
It also offers guidance on space requirements in the context of practical subjects
involving SEN and disabled students in mainstream primary and secondary schools,
based on those in Building Bulletins 98 and 99, adding that “in some cases the upper
end of the area range may be needed or the space used differently to accommodate the
particular needs of the children at the school.”
PRIORITY SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME
In 2012 the government announced its intention to reduce space requirements for new
school buildings being designed as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme.
The DfE has sought to argue that the reductions will result in cheaper, more efficient and
sustainable outcomes when compared to those achieved under the Building Schools for
the Future initiative.
It has furthermore stated that the new designs will reduce ‘wasted space’ to the tune of
15 per cent for secondary and five per cent for primary schools – “whilst maintaining the
same size teaching space, classrooms, staff rooms, sport and art and design facilities.”
Despite the reductions, the new schools will still be bigger than secondary schools built
in 2004 and primaries built in 2006.
However, DfE architectural plans suggest that classroom space may be less generous
than proposed above. For example, the DfE is proposing dimensions for certain primary
classrooms as between 55m2 and 62m2, compared with the 70m2 or so recommended
by Building Bulletin 99. See
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/schoolscapital/buildingsanddesig
n/baseline/a00213847/baseline-design-for-a-420-place-school.
ROOMS OTHER THAN CLASSROOMS
Classrooms are not the only areas within schools to be faced with problems of
overcrowding. Other areas can be affected in this way, such as corridors, toilets, offices,
staff rooms and staff work areas. Many of the suggestions made in the context of
reducing overcrowding in classrooms can also be applied to other areas of the school. If
in doubt, seek advice from your NUT Health and Safety Representative who will be able
to bring the matter to the attention of management - it may be that a suitably ‘competent
person’ will need to carry out a risk assessment in order to address the matter.
FURTHER GUIDANCE
NUT guidance on class sizes: http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/12501.
NUT guidance on safety in practical lessons: http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/12547.