The St Peter’s Learning and Research Hub - much more than a library

The St Peter’s Learning and Research Hub - much more than a library

Quiet spaces in schools are hard to come by, but they are essential.  The parent, staff and pupil survey in January highlighted very strongly that the community felt that such a space is needed at St Peter’s.  Children wished for a space where they could spend time colouring or building lego at break and lunch times, where they could chat and have some space and peace in the middle of a busy day and of course a space to read.  This place of quiet is only one of the benefits that our new Learning Space will create.  

The current office, a room at the centre of Harefield House, with two French windows overlooking the Estuary is the central space in the school.  By redesigning this as a Learning and Research Hub, the room will put the children and learning right at the heart of St Peter’s.  Bookshelves will line the walls and will be organised by genre.  Zones will be created for ‘mystery’, ‘adventure’, ‘animal stories’ etc.  There will be a Research zone with information texts alongside banks of laptops to enable the children to use a balance of technology as well as quality books for independent learning and group work.  Every child will have a lesson taught in this forward thinking learning space each week. They will be a taught how to use different sources for independent research and we have employed a dedicated librarian to work with the children to advise and guide.  

Opportunities for leadership will be available for older children to encourage and listen to other children read and to use the space for independent research, or for getting their prep done.  

Children will have space for creative and collaborative technology and the room will provide opportunities for quality presentations by both pupils and adults and for both pupils and adults, with a large moveable screen and projector.  A central table will provide opportunities for children to work together in large groups with their teachers taking in turns to lead the learning as in a ‘Harkness’ model of teaching (more next week).   Communication is one of the key skills of the Baccalaureate and the Learning Hub will provide a sophisticated space to enable quality presentations to take place.

A further benefit will be that the room will be a multi-functional space available for Parent workshops  (a programme of which is being developed for next year - on, for example Managing a Digital native at home, Maths workshops, Future schools’ advice), small concerts or poetry performances, drinks receptions for parents and match teas.  

I am delighted that the School and Friends of St Peter’s are working together to build and provide this Research and Learning Hub, a forward thinking space for the children but also for the community.  It is wonderful to have something of significance on which to spend funds that will make a huge, positive leap forward to the life of the school.  Without the support of the Friends it would not be possible to build such a space and this project is a real testament to how far we have come together over this year at St Peter’s.  I am sure you will join me in thanking all of those involved and I look forward to welcoming you to the new Learning and Research Hub next term.