Improving school climate : The essential role of 'place' in invitational theory and practice

This paper addresses the importance of Place in the context of enhancing student achievement, engagement in learning, and psychological wellbeing. The foundation of Invitational Theory and Practice espouses the importance of the five ‘Ps’ namely People, Place, Programs, Policy, and Process in facilitating a comprehensive invitational school environment. However, Place is under represented in its capacity to impact on student development in the review of Invitational Theory and Practice published literature. To address this shortcoming this article integrates leading edge spatial theories in education and highlights through practical examples the importance of the physical environment, particularly the interior design of school facilities and its impact not only on the students’ learning environment but also their emotional, social, and cognitive development. By extension, this article raises questions for teacher training, and the importance of increasing teachers’ spatial literacy. Embedded in the observation is a profound architectural truth that applies to all buildings – in the beginning, buildings reflect the qualities of the people who design and construct them. Once built, the people who live and work in them take on the qualities of the buildings they inhabit.