Essential Display Boards for Schools: Dry Wipe Boards, Noticeboards & Secure Boards

by Paul Howe

Essential Display Boards for Schools: Dry Wipe Boards, Noticeboards & Secure Boards

Whether you're equipping a brand-new classroom, refreshing a tired corridor, or improving communication across a busy secondary school, the right display boards make an enormous difference. They support learning, keep staff and students informed, and help create an environment that feels organised, welcoming and professional.

At School Notice Boards, we supply UK schools, colleges and universities with a comprehensive range of display solutions - from fire-rated felt noticeboards to heavy-duty lockable boards built to withstand daily school life. In this guide, we walk you through the three essential categories every school should consider.

Dry Wipe Boards: The Classroom Workhorse

Few pieces of school equipment get more daily use than a dry wipe board. Whether it's a teacher scrawling equations, a form tutor noting the day's reminders, or a student working through a problem in front of the class, dry wipe boards sit at the very heart of everyday learning.

Magnetic vs. Non-Magnetic Dry Wipe Boards

One of the first decisions to make is whether you need a magnetic or non-magnetic surface. Magnetic dry wipe boards offer the best of both worlds - you can write freely and wipe clean, but also pin up worksheets, display charts, and attach resources with magnets. This flexibility makes them especially popular in primary classrooms and resource-heavy subjects like science and geography.

Non-magnetic boards are a more economical option where the magnet function isn't needed, and they're just as easy to clean - ideal for corridors, meeting rooms and staff areas.

Fire-Rated Dry Wipe Boards

In a school environment, fire safety is non-negotiable. Our fully fire-rated dry wipe boards meet strict UK fire regulations, giving you peace of mind that your display solutions won't pose a risk in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for boards installed in corridors and communal areas where fire safety standards are most stringently applied.

Choosing the Right Size

Dry wipe boards for classrooms typically range from 600mm x 900mm for smaller spaces up to 1200mm x 2400mm for full-wall teaching boards. A good rule of thumb: the board should be visible from the back of the room. For sixth form or lecture-style settings, larger formats or twin-panel boards give teachers more writing space without sacrificing legibility.

Top Tips for Dry Wipe Board Care

  • Always use quality dry wipe markers - cheap alternatives can stain the surface over time.
  • Wipe down with a damp cloth regularly, not just a dry eraser.
  • For stubborn ghosting, a small amount of dry wipe cleaner will restore the surface.

Noticeboards: Keeping Everyone in the Loop

A school runs on communication - timetables, safeguarding notices, upcoming events, exam timetables, OFSTED evidence, staff updates and more. A well-placed, well-maintained noticeboard is one of the most cost-effective tools a school has for keeping students, staff and visitors informed.

Felt Pin Boards

Traditional felt pin boards remain the most popular choice in UK schools, and for good reason. They're simple, effective, and incredibly versatile. Notices go up in seconds, display materials can be changed instantly, and the soft fabric surface doesn't damage the items being pinned.

Our felt noticeboards are available in a wide range of colours - from classic grey and wheat through to bright blues, greens, reds and lilacs - making it easy to colour-code boards by department, year group or theme. This is particularly effective in secondary schools where visual organisation across large sites really helps students navigate their environment.

Aluminium-Framed Noticeboards

For a smart, durable finish that stands up to the demands of school life, aluminium-framed noticeboards are the professional choice. The slim frame gives a clean, modern look that suits corridors, reception areas and staff rooms alike. Paired with quality felt surfaces, they look sharp, last for years, and require very little maintenance.

Dual Felt/Dry Wipe Noticeboards

Can't decide between a noticeboard and a dry wipe board? You don't have to. Our dual-surface boards combine a felt pinboard section with an integrated dry wipe panel - giving teachers and admin staff both a writable surface and a pinnable display in a single unit. These are ideal for busy classrooms where wall space is at a premium.

Junior Noticeboards

For early years and primary settings, scaled-down boards at a child-appropriate height make a real difference. Pupils who can actually reach the noticeboard are far more likely to engage with what's on it - whether that's a star chart, a class reader display, or a showcase of their own work.

 

Secure & Lockable Boards: Protecting What Matters

Some information simply shouldn't be tampered with. Exam timetables, safeguarding contacts, fire procedures, staff-only notices - these need to be displayed prominently, but also protected from interference. That's where secure and lockable display boards come in.

Lockable Notice Boards

Our lockable noticeboards feature robust locking mechanisms that prevent unauthorised access to the display area, while still making the contents clearly visible through a glazed or acrylic front panel. They're ideal for:

  • Reception areas - displaying visitor information, term dates and policies
  • Corridors - showing exam timetables and key notices that must remain intact
  • Staffrooms - protecting HR information, safeguarding policies and rota boards
  • External-facing positions - keeping weather and vandalism from damaging important displays

Fire-Resistant Corridor Boards (Eco-Sound® Blazemaster)

For corridor installations, fire compliance isn't optional — it's the law. By law, all noticeboards mounted in corridors and on fire escape routes must comply with British Standards BS EN 13501 Class B. Our Eco-Sound® Blazemaster range is independently tested and certified to EN 13501-1:2007 Class B-s2, d0 - exceeding the minimum requirement - giving schools complete peace of mind.

But Eco-Sound® goes further than fire safety alone. The boards are also certified for acoustic sound absorption to BS EN ISO 11654:1997 Class E, helping to reduce noise transfer in busy corridors and communal spaces. And in an era where sustainability matters, the entire range is manufactured from 100% recycled and recyclable materials.

The Eco-Sound® Blazemaster range is available in 14 vibrant colours and comes in both unframed and framed options:

  • Unframed boards - ideal for seamless wall-covering installations or fitting within existing frames
  • Classic aluminium-framed boards - a smart, ribbed-effect frame with a professional finish
  • Metropolitan aluminium-framed boards - a chunkier, heavy-duty frame for high-traffic areas
  • Tamperproof covered versions - featuring shatterproof 3mm PET glazed doors, fully lockable with two keys, with doors that open upwards for safety when changing notices in busy corridors

When procuring fire-rated noticeboards for your school, always ask your supplier for a copy of the product's certification. If valid documentation cannot be provided, the boards should not be installed in corridors, stairways or fire escape routes.

Exterior Poster Cases

Schools often need to communicate with parents and visitors before they even step through the door. Exterior poster cases are weatherproof, lockable display units that can be wall-mounted outside the school entrance, on fencing, or near car parks. They're built to withstand the British climate - rain, UV fading and all - keeping your displayed information looking professional year-round.

Choosing the Right Boards for Your School

Every school is different. A village primary has very different display needs to a large urban secondary or a sixth form college. Here's a quick decision guide to help narrow things down:

Location

Recommended Board Type

Classroom

Magnetic dry wipe board (large format)

Corridor

Aluminium-framed felt noticeboard or Eco-Sound® Blazemaster fire-rated board

Reception

Lockable noticeboard or exterior poster case

Staffroom

Dual felt/dry wipe board or lockable secure board

Primary classroom

Junior noticeboard at child height

Exam hall / admin office

Lockable secure board

School entrance (exterior)

Weatherproof exterior poster case

Why Choose School Notice Boards?

We're one of the UK's leading suppliers of display boards for schools, and we understand what the education sector needs. Our range is:

  • Fully fire-rated where required, meeting UK regulations
  • Built to last - because school furniture takes a beating
  • Available in a huge range of sizes and colours to suit any space
  • Competitively priced with fast UK delivery
  • Backed by a friendly, knowledgeable team - call us on 01204 395 730 or email sales@adboards.com and we'll help you find the right solution

Whether you need a single replacement board or want to equip an entire new building, we're here to help. Browse our full range at school-notice-board.co.uk or get in touch with our team today.

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