Cyber-lessons at classroom of the future

A group of pupils is taking a big step foward... into the classroom of the future.

The egg-shaped pod at Grey Court School is built to maximise the benefits of light, space, and computer technology.

Children at the school in Ham, Surrey, helped to create the design, naming the project Ingenium.

And the building, costing around £500,000, has been designed by the architects responsible for the awardwinning futuristic media centre at Lord's cricket ground.

The designers, Future Systems, say their aim is "to challenge and expand children's creativity while putting information technology at the heart of the curriculum". They call the pods "future-proof ".

In the pod, electronic "whiteboard" screens can be connected to PCs, laptops, phones and other devices operated by both staff and pupils. Through these the internet can be accessed and displayed on the boards.

Students will be able to exhibit their work around the classroom and on the outside of the building, while the partly covered terrace will also be connected to the systems and can be used for performances, or for individual or group study.

Geoffrey Samuel, executive member for education at Richmond Council said the new classroom should help Grey Court to climb out of special measures, the Government's category for failing schools, when pupils move in next term. Headteacher Rachel Jones said: "It is going to bring a sense of fun and adventure into education. If pupils are motivated in the right way there is almost no limit to what they can achieve."

The designers' starting point was the belief that the qualities of the learning environment, especially light, space, colour and sound make a real difference to the speed and enjoyment of learning.

The unit is made from moulded GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) and are energy efficient and durable.

The cost of the project was funded by the Department for Education and Skills as part of its policy of developing innovative, energy-efficient, high-concept designs for schools.