Inspiring classrooms and learning environments – in pictures

Taking inspiration from New York City Museum School, Langley Academy in Slough has transformed itself into a museum learning school, putting exhibitions at the heart of the school.
Photograph: Langley Academy

Rosendale primary school in south London needed a library but it had no room for one. The solution was devised by designer Kate Gorely who worked with Forge Architects to create this incredible learning space - which won the School Library Association Library Design Award for 2011 and cost just £5000. Photograph: Kate Gorely

Some really bold and creative ideas from Denmark here, Rosan Bosch Studio has created imaginative designs for the Vittra school in Stockholm with multifunctional learning spaces, colourful interiors and small niches for concentration and contemplation. Photograph: Kim Wendt/Rosan Bosch Studio

Feltonfleet school in Cobham has found its inspirational treehouse learning space, created by Blue Forest, to be a cost effective and sustainable way to extend teaching space.
Photograph: Blue Forest

See the light... Alfred Salter school, in south east London, is flooded with air and light. The build was overseen by headteacher Stuart Hayter and every classroom leads onto outdoor space.
Photograph: Alfred Salter primary school

Thanks to Tom Giles, assistant head of year at Brisbane Grammar School in Australia for sharing this stunning photograph the school's Lilley Centre, creating a gothic-meets-modern meld: "The environment of the Lilley Centre has impacted greatly on how teachers approach their lessons and how students approach their learning. There is a greater emphasis on collaboration and independence; in an environment such as this, a teacher can facilitate and let the students take charge. It’s liberating for all concerned – the environment enables teachers to put theory into practise and I’ve found myself doing so many things I had only ever previously wished I could do."
Photograph: Brisbane Grammar School

The circular classrooms of Pen Afan school in Wales give a certain Magic Faraway Tree feeling to the learning environment.
Photograph: Pen Afan school

When Mark Cross School in Sussex needed additional teaching space they decided against the usual prefab in the playground and went for something more creative instead, designed and built by Blue Forest.
Photograph: Blue Forest

A creative learning environment in the making... Brett Dye, headteacher, Parc Eglos School, near Helston, Cornwall couldn't afford £15,000 for a classroom extension, so bought a double-decker bus on eBay for £3,500. The bottom deck will be a science lab and the top will be used for home economics. Watch this space for the results!
Photograph: Brett Dye/Parc Eglos

Classrooms don't require walls. Ten students from The Springfields Academy in Wiltshire embarked on a journey of a lifetime, a nine-day trek across the floor of the Great Rift Valley in Africa at the extremes of the equator, to The Hottest Classroom on Earth. The Extreme Classroom expeditions have been devised by The Springfields Academy principal Trystan Williams and vice principal Jon Hamp in the belief that "only by challenging students will they exceed expectations". Next stop, The Highest Classroom on Earth when students trek up Mount Everest this autumn. Photograph: Springfield Academy/Other

The Windermere School, in the Lake District National Park, is blessed with three of these incredible tree-top classrooms. The green-built class pods stand on stilts connected by a centre platform made from recycled materials.
Photograph: Windermere School

It's not only modern buildings which can be inspiring places of learning. Check out the library of Collegio San Carlo in Milan, Italy. The school is situated right across the road from Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses da Vinci's Last Supper. Lorna Gray, who teaches art history at the school, says: "Having such easy access to world-famous treasures and masterpieces certainly facilitates a deeper appreciation of art, culture and national heritage. Our approach to teaching includes lessons that continue beyond the walls of the classroom - and having treasures such as the Last Supper across the road definitely makes this idea more exciting!"
Photograph: Lorna Gray

The confines of the classroom don't work for every student. "We have learners who start with us with no GCSEs and leave with A level equivalents," says Bronwen Bray, assistant director at Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire, which specialises in land-based, outdoor education and animal training for young people aged 14 plus. Beekeeping is just one of the options.
Photograph: Shuttleworth College

Julia Horton, principal at Kings Monkton school in Cardiff, has shared images of her school which used to be a home for nuns: "We have gorgeous mahogany wooden corridors, arched shaped windows and high ceilings... It's a beautiful building for a school".
Photograph: Julia Horton

A pair of upholstered brick Chesterfield sofas in an outdoor classroom at Notre Dame High School in Norwich, created by artist Rodney Harris and shared on GuardianWitness. Photograph: Rodney Harris

Greek theatre built in the school grounds of Walthamstow School for Girls in the 1920s, shared on GuardianWitness. Old school! Photograph: Dave Shackson

An immersive learning space that can become anything or anywhere! Light, sound and projection change in an instant to create the perfect setting for engaging, experiential lessons, shared by 4Dcreative, on GuardianWitness. Photograph: 4Dcreative

Outside seating area at Longhill School, Brighton. This student designed seating area is made from recycled plastic. Shared on GuardianWitness. Photograph: Chris Marks-Billson

Our beautiful New Colville Primary school library - three local artists supported children from the whole school at to create a fantastical tree, aquarium seating and a child/ground level mosaic around all of the bookshelves. An amazing space to be calm and learn from all our new books... shared by rah90, on GuardianWitness. Photograph: rah90

Working progress: teachers, parents and children are building an outdoor classroom at Coleridge Primary school in Crouch end, North London. It is built out of recycled wood and is situated amongst a group of trees in the playground. We plan to teach bushcraft skills, study the natural environment and cook food on a fire. Shared by Tom Smith on GuardianWitness. Photograph: Tom Smith