10 Things You’d Find in a British School Staffroom 30 Years Ago That Have Quietly Vanished

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Walking into a British school staffroom 30 years ago was like stepping into a completely different world compared to today. Things that were once common are now rare or have disappeared entirely. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what items used to be everyday sights in a school staffroom three decades ago.

1. Ashtrays on the coffee table

Ashtrays on the coffee table were a common sight in staffrooms, reflecting a time when smoking indoors was socially acceptable and widespread. Teachers would often gather around the table for a quick smoke and a chat during breaks. This practice has since faded, largely due to health concerns and changes in indoor smoking laws, transforming the staffroom into a smoke-free environment.

2. Overhead projector sheets

Remember the overhead projector sheets, those clear pieces of film we wrote on with special markers? They were essential for presenting information before the digital age took over. Today, these have been replaced by digital slides and interactive whiteboards, making the old sheets a thing of the past in modern classrooms.

3. A typewriter in the corner

There used to be a typewriter tucked away in the corner of many staffrooms, used for typing out memos and notices. With the rise of personal computers and printers, the clack-clack of typewriter keys has all but disappeared from schools, replaced by the quiet click of keyboards.

4. Pigeonholes stuffed with paper memos

Pigeonholes crammed with paper memos were the old-school way of passing information between staff. Now, with the efficiency of emails and digital notices, paper memos have largely been phased out, leading to less clutter and a more streamlined way of communication.

5. A tin for the tea and coffee kitty

The tin for the tea and coffee kitty was where staff members contributed small amounts of money for communal refreshments. This practice has seen a decline as more staff prefer to bring their own drinks or use modern vending machines, making the communal tea and coffee kitty less common.

6. A mismatched collection of communal mugs

A collection of mismatched mugs, each with its own story, was a staple in any staffroom. These days, individual preferences and the use of personal, often branded, mugs have seen the old communal collection slowly disappear.

7. Paper registers stacked on the side

Paper registers once piled up on desks, recording attendance and grades by hand. Digital systems have now taken over, allowing teachers to keep track of this information more efficiently and accurately on computers and tablets.

8. Boxes of chalk

Boxes of chalk were essential for blackboard teaching, a method that has become nearly obsolete with the advent of whiteboards and digital screens. The mess and dust of chalk have been gladly left behind by many educators.

9. Filing cabinets full of paper records

Filing cabinets brimming with paper records were once a familiar sight, taking up significant space in staffrooms. These have largely been replaced by digital storage solutions, which save space and make retrieving information much quicker and easier.

10. A cork board covered in handwritten notices

The cork board filled with handwritten notices was the go-to place for information on upcoming events, reminders, and announcements. With digital communication platforms now at our fingertips, these boards have seen a decline, as information can be shared more efficiently online.