Your school is in dire need of better storage solutions. What can you do to make it happen?

Understand how to maximize your space through declutter methods for example. keep, sell, trash. In other words categorize essentials versus non -essentials. Space is a monitized commodity that may affect an organization's productivity.

An important assessment may be to determine whether certain things are necessary having digital tools. For example, certain repeated books can be removed if we replace them with their equivalent online material (such as dictionaries and world maps), teaching students how to access them. Obviously, at least a few copies need to be kept for students who do not have good access to such technologies.

As an invited expert to this field I will make a bit of a wild shot in the dark with a couple of provisos. "Your school" in my mind is addressing me as a Head Teacher. I wouldn't want anybody reading this answer to imagine that I manage anything other than my own output. That said, I have seen catalogues lying around in "staff-rooms" in schools with titles that suggest, specialist suppliers target schools with specialist equipment for storing stuff in schools. Ask the head teacher about school needs and get a child to carry a catalogue to the heads office in exchange for a smiley sticker. The head will know which staff member to ask about the process for processing orders and how to get permission to do anything related to doing or budget.

Before looking for new storage options, you should first list out what you need and don't need. Throw things that you no longer need or use. You have to categorise your things so that you have a clear idea of what is necessary and what isn't. Old things in each category that are no longer in use should be thrown. You should also only put things that you need in places that are easily accessible. This can help you save time when you need to look for it.

A possible way to sort what needs to be stored to make the best use of the physical space available in a school can be by designing a digital inventory. Through this each object would receive a code that identifies and individualizes it. On the other hand, the physical space of the school would be mapped and divided into different sections based on criteria such as: if they are frequented or not, if they are places of transit or not, if they are near a classroom and from which; among others aspects. All this to know where to place each item to be saved depending on who will require it and how often it will. In short, it would make good use of space and, in turn, time.

To get the most out of your storage space, you could try using vertical space. Put small, lightweight things on hooks or shelves that are high up. You could stack your things one on top of another. This can save you lots of space. Put the largest thing at the bottom. Put the smallest ones on top. You could put books or papers in storage boxes. These boxes can be stacked on top of each other. You can even use it to put other things on it.

Once you have sorted out the things that you need and don't need, you can then recycle or donate unused items. This is to avoid wastage. If you have items that are still in good condition, you could then donate it to charity organisations. They would be able to donate it to the needy. If you don't want to donate them, you could swap the items with other people who might have items that you want but they don't need anymore.