Classroom table plan
How to use ThinkLit's free seating plan generator:
- Paste your class list above, then click the pink button ‘Add Names to Desks‘.
- Drag and drop each student’s desk into position based on the unique layout of your classroom.
- Add your teacher’s desk, doors and windows to help build a replica of your classroom.
- Click ‘Generate Printable Image‘ so you can print a hard copy to keep in front of you. A new tab should open; if it doesn’t, check your pop-ups aren’t blocked by clicking the icon in the menu bar at the top of the page.
Unfortunately, this tool will only work on desktop for now, but I hope to add functionality for mobile and tablet soon.
The importance of class table plans
Why is a seating plan so important? Let’s go through some of the main reasons:
Use a class seating plan to foster a productive learning environment
Creating a seating plan in your secondary school classroom is crucial for fostering a productive learning environment. Research by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that structured classroom layouts positively impact student engagement and academic performance. By strategically arranging seating, teachers can minimise distractions and facilitate focused learning. You can read more at the APA website here.
You can choose to use a random seating plan or a more organised, intentional arangement. The key is that students have the same seat over a period of time, allowing them to get used to their seat, their table mates and their place in the room. Settling into their seat and feeling the safety and structure of the classroom is key. Under this structure and familiarity, students learn well.
Use a seating plan to enhance classroom management
Seating plans are a vital tool for enhancing classroom management. A study published in the “Journal of Educational Psychology” found that teachers who consistently use seating plans report better behaviour management. These plans allow teachers to strategically place students based on behaviour, academic needs, and learning styles, reducing disruptions and promoting a positive learning environment. Source: American Psychology Association.
Your classroom management will improve as students feel safe and secure in their seats. You might want to generate or create a random seating plan, and then make tweaks as you see how students settle. There is no single right seat for each child, but there might be a great combination that you can get by randomising the seats. Equally, a carefully constructed seating plan can be the magic you need to regain your management of the room.
Create a seating plan to support differentiation
Carefully created seating plans also facilitate differentiation. According to educational researcher Carol Ann Tomlinson, seating students together with similar abilities and needs is key to effective differentiation. Creating a seating plan ensures that teachers can tailor their teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of their students, promoting better learning outcomes. I know that I find differentiation easier and more effective when I can seat students together who work at a similar ability level. This allows me to target support better, as I can speak to more than one student at a time, but with the same support strategies. You might decide to seat students of contrasting abilities together to promote peer teaching. You can read more about differentiation in this ThinkLit blog post: Differentiated Learning: Getting Started.
Advantages of sticking to seating and table plans
Seating plans minimise distractions
A well-structured seating plan minimises distractions in the classroom, as confirmed by every teacher I have ever spoken to! Arranging your students strategically, getting some out of the eye line of others, etc, means students are less likely to be distracted by friends, leading to improved focus on their studies. This also allows you, the teacher, more time to focus on other issues rather than getting bogged down by classroom management all the time.
Table plans promote inclusivity and belonging
Seating plans promote inclusivity. When every student has an assigned seat, it creates a sense of belonging and equal participation in classroom activities. No one feels left out or isolated, fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Most of us know what it is like to be left to the end, picked last, or feel like we have no-one to sit with. Don’t let any child in your care feel this way but choosing seats for them rather than leaving them to sort it for themselves.
Seating plans promote effective behaviour management
Sticking to a seating plan contributes to effective behaviour management. Teachers can strategically separate students who may disrupt the class or require additional support, leading to a more orderly and controlled classroom environment.
Classroom layouts for secondary school students
Traditional rows and columns in your classroom
The traditional rows and columns layout is effective for focused learning. It promotes a teacher-centred approach and is ideal for lectures and presentations. I have also used this for my most challenging classes. When I have used grouped tables or horse-shoe shapes, I have found it difficult to manage silly behaviour and distractions. Some students simply need to focus on the front with as few opportunities for distraction as possible.
Grouped seating plans for your classroom
Groups encourage group work and peer interaction. This layout is suitable for project-based learning and discussions, promoting collaborative skills among students. This is my favourite model, especially for younger classes and for literature classes where discussion and sharing of ideas is crucial.
U-shaped or horseshoe arrangements in your classroom
A U-shaped or horseshoe arrangement fosters open communication and class discussions. It’s ideal for interactive lessons, debates, and active student participation – perfect for the English classroom. I really like this setup for smaller classes, for example A-Level literature classes. There is no issue (well, not usually!) with a lack of focus from students, and they benefit so much from debate and discussion at A-Level.
Tips for accommodating behaviour management and SEN provision in your seating plan
Identify students with special educational needs (SEN) in your class plan
Of course, you do this already, but knowing your class needs before you arrange the seats means you know who needs to be close to the board to see clearly, who needs to be near the teacher to hear better, who needs to be near the door for toilet access, who needs to sit near their CA/TA for additional support, etc. It’s essential to identify students with SEN early on and make appropriate accommodations. For students with specific needs, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), consider placing them near the front to minimise distractions, or provide quiet areas for students with sensory processing issues.
Target behavioural hotspots in your seating plan
Watch out for behavioural hotspots in the classroom. Identifying areas where conflicts tend to arise and implementing strategic seating changes can lead to improved classroom behaviour and reduced disruptions. Remember to be flexible too. The seating plan may work for a few weeks or months, but it may need tweaked according to student needs, friendship changes, etc. This leads me to my last idea:
Flexibility is key to creating a successful seating plan
While sticking to a seating plan is important, flexibility is also necessary. We need to be willing to adjust the plan as needed to accommodate changing classroom dynamics and ensure effective learning outcomes. Sometimes, students come with a plea: can I move away from her, or can I sit beside him? If it works for me and the rest of the class, I love to be able to say yes. Perhaps a random seating plan is a good idea to avoid students ending up beside the same kid in every class. This can happen when you seat students alphabetically or by ability. A random seating plan can generate some very positive outcomes too … don’t overthink it!
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