How UK Schools Are Adapting Space for Social Distancing

The world is having trouble dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, which has halted many activities. Sporting activities and learning were suspended in many countries in an effort to contain the spread of this virus. These activities have resumed in some countries like the UK, but a second wave of the infections poses a threat to the continuation of these activities.

Although learning has resumed in the UK, schools have to adapt to meet the additional learning space needs. Parents are now thrilled that schools have reopened after it looked like students would lose an entire academic year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is not just the school calendar that has changed, but also the school structure and timetable.

UK schools have to implement measures to ensure there is adequate learning space for students while also keeping the learning environment safe for children. Although learning space has been a challenge because of social distancing measures, UK schools have managed to adapt using the following approaches:

The use of modular buildings

One of the proposed measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is social and physical distancing. People have to keep at least a distance of one meter apart from the next person as coronavirus can spread quickly from one person to another. UK schools have resumed learning, but social distancing has to be practiced to keep children safe.

The problem with social distancing is that schools also require additional learning space to accommodate the high number of students while also adhering to social distancing measures. The use of modular buildings has been one of the most viable options in covering space needs. Companies like Smart-Space have been providing temporary structures for UK schools to meet immediate space needs. Smart-Space is the UK’s leading provider for temporary building solutions. School management and others who want to buy temporary buildings can click this over here now to find affordable modular structures.

Altering the regular school calendar

Although many UK schools have readily taken the option of using modular buildings to adapt space for social distancing, it is still difficult to fully implement this measure. This is because many UK schools were previously handling many students, making it challenging to practice distancing with everyone in the school.

For compliance with the social distancing measures, school management must ensure that each classroom holds 10-12 students. As a result, the school timetable has been changed to where students are going to school in alternating schedules. One of the widely used approaches is bi-weekly attendance alternating schedule. Additionally, learning hours have been extended to make good use of the available learning space.

Expanding the physical space available for teaching

Space has been the main challenge for many schools after reopening. Schools now need up to twice the available learning space to adapt to social distancing rules. Many UK schools have been left with no option but to utilize halls, libraries, IT rooms, conference centers, and any other previously unutilized space to cover space needs. On top of that, the government is offering to provide laptops for disadvantaged children so that they can access online classes instead of being physically present in schools. 

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