This week: Classroom displays

If someone says...“Have you seen my new displays? I was up all night for weeks designing them: I’ve got a fountain of knowledge in one corner (with real running water) and a maths maze, full of sums for pupils to walk through.”

You say... *gulps* “Wow. That’s … impressive. You know, assistant headteacher Nikki Cunningham-Smith wrote a piece for the Tes website in which she said that classroom displays can make or break pupils’ behaviour.”

If someone says... “Does she say that displays like mine are the answer?”

You say... “Errr, not exactly. It’s about finding a balance - if displays are too bare, it shows that you don’t really care. If displays are too busy, pupils can get distracted.”

If someone says... “So what does she recommend?”

You say... “She says displays should grow and be changed by pupils week on week. You should appoint display monitors tasked with maintaining the space. Random selections are good for keeping pupils engaged - they never know when they’ll be called on.”

If someone says... “So I should spend less time on displays, then?”

You say... “Yes! And more time sleeping.”