Quick answer: Classroom notice boards work harder when they match your school's colours, suit the age group using the room, and meet fire safety requirements. Bespoke felt and fabric boards from Presentation Spaces are made to order in any size, fabric colour, and frame finish, including Class B fire-rated options for UK schools, so every surface in your classroom can be both functional and on-brand.
Why bespoke matters for classroom display boards
Off-the-shelf notice boards come in a handful of sizes and a limited palette of mid-grey, blue, and red felt. That is fine for a storeroom. It is not enough for a classroom where the display environment is part of the learning experience.
A bespoke board lets you:
- Match school or department colours. Coordinating your boards with your uniform, branding, or subject-area colour-coding makes classrooms feel intentional rather than assembled from whatever was in the catalogue.
- Specify the exact size. Awkward wall spans, low ceilings, and display areas between windows all benefit from boards cut to fit rather than boards that almost fit.
- Choose the right fabric. Standard felt, premium Camira Cara, and eco-felt all pin cleanly, but each has a different look and texture. Eco-felt suits schools aiming to reduce synthetic materials; Camira Cara suits reception areas or spaces parents see.
- Select a frame that complements the room. Natural wood frames suit primary classrooms; slim powder-coated aluminium reads better in secondary and further education environments.
None of this needs a large budget. Our felt aluminium framed notice board is available in a wide range of colours at an accessible price point, making it a practical starting point for a whole-school refresh.
Fire safety requirements for school notice boards
UK building regulations require that materials in occupied school buildings meet specific reaction-to-fire classifications. For soft furnishings and wall coverings in most school areas, Class B (or Class 1 under the older BS 476 standard) is the relevant threshold.
Standard felt notice boards do not carry a certified fire rating. If your premises officer, site manager, or a fire inspection has flagged this, you need a board specifically rated for the purpose.
The Premier Camira Cara noticeboard, aluminium framed, fire rated Class B meets this requirement. It uses Camira Cara fabric, which is independently tested and certified to Class B reaction-to-fire, in a slim aluminium frame available in multiple sizes. It is the right choice for:
- Corridors and escape routes where fire regulations are most strictly enforced.
- Assembly halls and dining areas with large areas of display.
- Any school that has received advice from its fire authority to upgrade display boards.
If you are unsure whether your existing boards are compliant, the safest course is to replace them with rated boards before your next fire inspection.
Choosing colours that work in a classroom
Colour choice for classroom notice boards is not just aesthetic. Research into learning environments consistently links visual environment to attention and emotional regulation, particularly for younger pupils and those with sensory sensitivities.
A few principles that work well in practice:
- Neutral or muted fabric, bright displayed work. A board covered in strong primary red or yellow competes with the work pinned to it. Warm grey, oatmeal, or sage green lets pupil work stand out.
- Colour-code by subject or zone. Using a consistent colour for maths boards across every classroom in a department makes the environment navigable for pupils who move between rooms.
- School colours in communal spaces. Reception areas, dining halls, and corridors are good places to use your school's primary colour. In classrooms, subtler choices tend to reduce distraction.
- Consider pupils with visual impairments or dyslexia. High-contrast backing (dark board, light-coloured paper) improves legibility for a significant minority of pupils at no extra cost.
Our full notice board collection includes fabric swatches and a bespoke sizing service, so you can order samples before committing to a full installation.
How to plan a classroom notice board installation
Before ordering, it helps to think through the following:
- Map the available wall space. Measure each run of wall where display is planned, noting any sockets, light switches, and projection screen paths that limit usable area.
- Decide which boards are permanent displays and which need to change frequently. Permanent subject vocabulary lists can be printed on card and laminated; frequently updated content (dates, timetable changes, pupil work) needs easy pin-and-remove access.
- Consider height. For primary classrooms, boards placed lower on the wall mean pupils can interact with displayed work directly. For secondary classrooms and sixth forms, standard height is fine.
- Batch your order. Ordering multiple boards in the same fabric and frame finish across several classrooms at once typically reduces unit cost and ensures consistency across the school.
September refresh: getting it done before term starts
The summer break is the natural window for a classroom display refresh. Boards can be fitted without disrupting lessons, and there is time to build up new displays before pupils arrive in September.
A practical sequence for a school ordering before the summer:
- Confirm wall measurements and board positions by the end of June.
- Order bespoke boards in July to allow manufacturing and delivery lead time.
- Fit boards during August when the building is clear.
- Set up starter displays during staff INSET days before term begins.
If you are working to a tighter timeline, call us on 01382 913 913 to discuss what is achievable. We will give you an honest lead time rather than a guess.
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Frequently asked questions
Do school notice boards need to be fire rated?
UK building regulations require that materials in school buildings meet minimum reaction-to-fire standards. For most occupied school areas, the relevant classification is Class B (EN 13501-1) or Class 1 (BS 476 Part 7). Standard felt notice boards are not certified to this standard. If fire compliance is a requirement for your school, choose a board explicitly rated to Class B, such as the Premier Camira Cara noticeboard, fire rated Class B.
Can classroom notice boards be made to a custom size?
Yes. Presentation Spaces makes notice boards to order in custom sizes, so boards can be cut to fit any wall run, including awkward spans and low-ceiling classrooms. Standard sizes are also available if your wall space suits them. Contact us with your dimensions and we will advise on the most cost-effective approach.
What fabric colours are available for school notice boards?
Our notice board range covers a wide palette including neutral tones (grey, oatmeal, natural), school-friendly primaries, and pastel options suited to primary classrooms or SEN environments. The felt aluminium framed board is available in a broad colour range at an accessible price point. If you need a specific match to a school colour, contact us and we will advise on the nearest fabric option.
How many notice boards does a classroom typically need?
Most secondary classrooms work well with two to four boards depending on wall space: typically one for subject vocabulary or key information, one for current student work, and one for timetable or administrative notices. Primary classrooms often use more boards and at lower heights to allow direct pupil interaction with displayed work. There is no single rule; the right number depends on how you use wall displays in your teaching practice.
What is the best notice board for a primary school classroom?
For primary classrooms, a felt or eco-felt board in a warm, non-distracting colour (grey, sage, oatmeal) with a natural wood or powder-coated aluminium frame works well. Position boards low enough for children to pin up their own work where appropriate. If the classroom is in a shared building or corridor, check whether a Class B fire-rated board is required and specify accordingly.
Can I order notice boards in our school's brand colours?
In many cases, yes. Our bespoke service allows you to select from a wide range of fabric colours, and we can advise on the closest match to a specific Pantone or RAL reference. For large orders, a fabric sample can be sent before the full order is confirmed. Call us on 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Talk to us
Not sure which board suits your classroom layout, or whether your current boards meet fire regulations? Get in touch with the Presentation Spaces team. We are happy to advise on size, colour, fabric, and compliance, with no pressure and no jargon.
