STL16 Provide displays

Knowledge and understanding

K1 How to select materials to include in the display

• Good quality backing paper and border
• Materials relevant to a topic that the children are learning about
• The children's own work
• Good quality photographs of the children
• A title label, a question about the display and information about the display
• Other relevant visuals

K2 How to protect the material on display from damage or theft

• Laminate pictures and children's work
• Staple the display firmly in place
• Remind the children not to fiddle with the display
• Regularly monitor the content of the display
• Label removable items with the name of the person they belong to

K3 How to determine the duration of the display

When to change a display:
• When the display is starting to look slightly “tired”
• When the class have moved onto a new topic
• When there is new work of the children's to display
• If the display has been damaged or bits have fallen off
• At the start of a new term or academic year

K4 What the purpose and theme of the display is

Displays should:-
• Arouse the children's curiosity
• Pose questions and stimulate enquiry
• Foster participation
• Celebrate the children's achievements
• Reflect a multicultural society

K5 What the health and safety implications there may be for the display
• Loose staples are very sharp and potentially dangerous to eyes
• Young children may pull loose parts from a display and put them in their mouths
• Staple picks should not be left unattended
• Staple guns should not be left unattended
• Broken staples can cause nasty scratches or cuts
• Staff need to follow Health and Safety Policy both when taking down or putting up
displays (no over reaching)
• Materials from a dismantled display should be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid
fire hazzards or tripping hazzards.
K6 What the organisation’s policy is for the display of different material, e.g.
as a learning resource, creating a sense of community, creating a sense of
ownership, etc.
Well planned, purposeful displays should be used throughout the school:-
• As a learning resource across the curriculum
• To present educational materials
• To create a visually stimulating learning environment
• To encourage and praise the children's efforts
• To reflect a current topic or area of learning
• To create a sense of community and belonging

K7 Where to obtain material and equipment for the display

• Resources room
• Photocopying room
• Children's work
• Pictures from the internet
• Photographs from the school camera
• Labels made using Word Art or Microsoft Office

K8 Where to locate displays for optimum impact and accessibility

• In the classroom or in a nearby corridor
• At a suitable height

K9 Who the display is aimed at

• The children themselves
• Other teaching staff
• Parents
• Visitors to the school

K10 How to evaluate the display for its usefulness and attractiveness
• Stand back and have a critical look at the display
• Ask the children for their opinions
• Ask other staff for their opinions
• Ask yourself questions about the display – is it relevant, educational,
eyecatching, useful and attractive?

K11 What action to take if the display is unsafe

• Make repairs to the display
• Remove any staples that are loose or broken
• Remove any items that have sharp edges or are broken
• Dismantle the display
K12 What materials are required to restock the display and from where to
obtain them
• New staples – from the Resources Room
• New border – from the Resources Room

K13 How to safely remove the display

• By following the Health and Safety Policy eg not over reaching
• By removing sharp or broken staples
• By not leaving staple picks laying around
• By sensibly clearing away any rubbish to prevent any fire or tripping hazzards.