Pupils 'perform better in good environment'

July 22 2010

Schoolchildren perform better if they are comfortable in their surroundings, it has been suggested.

George Muirhead, chair of the National Primary Headteachers' Association, noted that working in a pleasant environment can also boost self-esteem.

He pointed out that one of the benefits of the now axed Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme is that schools were being designed for modern pupils.

"If society wants schools to reflect the present then buildings in which those children live should reflect that," Mr Muirhead commented.

He said it is vital that schools continue to be well maintained, despite the decision to cut the BSF scheme.

"As soon as possible we need to know what their replacement strategy is, because we cannot allow schools to continue to deteriorate in the way too many schools are," Mr Muirhead added.

A recent poll by the Teacher Support Network, the British Council for School Environments and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers revealed that 95.8 per cent of teachers believe pupil behaviour can be influenced by their surroundings.

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