Few schools will have a spare room available to use as a Prayer Space. Some will say they have none at all, that every room is being used for teaching. However, even this isn’t the end of the story, because at certain times during the school year, whole groups aren’t in school (for example, when groups are away on school trips, or just after exams when Year 11’s have left) and rooms are often more available. Some schools have mobile classrooms that are less-used and more-available, and some have smaller rooms that cannot be used as a classroom, but might work as a Prayer Space. Try to keep your options open, and don’t give up too easily. If you are able to negotiate with the school about which room/space you use, we would suggest that you consider the following factors/questions;

space:

If you’ve got a fairly small prayer space, make sure it feels uncluttered and less chaotic (especially when it’s full of participants). You could do this by; clearing out all of the furniture and creating prayer-stations that are wall-mounted, or sectioning off certain areas and marking them ‘quiet’/chill-out zones, or limiting the number of participants at any one time, etc. If you’ve got a huge open space, however, such as a main hall, make sure the space feels more hospitable and comfortable. You could do this by; including unusual furniture - sofas, chairs, carpets, etc., or creating prayer-stations that follow a journey around the space (a labyrinth), or putting up some easy-up tents around the hall, each containing a prayer station. The important thing is to visit your space a few weeks beforehand so that you can imagine/dream-up the best ways to use of it.

access:

Make sure that the prayer space is easily accessible to children, young people and teachers when it’s open, and that they can get permission (if needed) to visit during break and lunchtimes (some schools don’t allow students in the building at break and lunchtimes). An outside door is often a good thing, although it might require some negotiation with staff, and some careful ‘managing’ (to avoid being swamped by participants).

visibility:

Some prayer spaces benefit from being visible to passers-by (who can see in via windows to the outside, or to inside corridors). Being visible keeps the Prayer Space in their minds, and increases the chances that they might drop in for a visit. On the other hand, being on a busy corridor might make the Prayer Space noisy and exposed, and children/young people may be reluctant to drop in. Some Prayer Spaces benefit from being ‘hidden’ from view (with blacked-out windows, etc.), until the child or young people actually steps through the door. You will need to consider which approach will serve your Space the most.

location:

If possible, find out what children, young people (and teachers) already feel about the room you may be using as the Prayer Space. What is the room regularly used for? (And what do children or students ‘feel’ about it?) In some schools particular classrooms and corridors are ‘no go zones’ for certain students. Being aware of social influences can help to ensure that all students feel welcomed. Although these may not significantly affect your choice of space, they are worth considering.

security:

If you are running a whole-week Prayer Space and you’ll be leaving equipment there overnight will it be locked and secure? It might be sufficient to take higher value equipment (mp3 players, easily portable computer equipment) home each night. You will need to maintain security of your own equipment, and of participants property during the Prayer Space open hours.