What Size Log Cabin Do I Need for My School?

Choosing the right size log cabin for your setting will depend on what you need the space for, how many pupils will use it at once and whether you need any additional storage or separate rooms. A smaller school cabin can provide a separate calm space for 1-1 support or small group intervention, while larger cabins can accommodate bigger groups or full classes. If you need even more room, our cabins can also be adapted with storage extensions, side rooms or connected together to create a much larger flexible space. So, to help you compare your options, we've created a helpful guide covering our full range of Cabins for Schools log cabins using real examples of how they're already being used by schools and education settings across the UK.

What size timber school cabin do you need?

Square Cabin (3m x 3m)

Our compact Square Cabin is a great option when you need a smaller dedicated space without taking up too much of your school grounds. With seating for up to 12, it can work particularly well for small-group interventions, one-to-one support, nurture sessions and other activities away from the main classroom.

At Redall Primary in Cradley Heath, they wanted an additional environment to support their SEND pupils and to provide smaller group social, emotional and wellbeing support. Their square cabin provides additional space for pupils while keeping the footprint compact.

This size is also popular for creating playground reading nooks, prayer rooms and mental health support rooms.

Best for: One-to-one support, interventions and small groups
Capacity: 12

10m² Log Cabin

Stepping up to a 10m² school log cabin gives you more flexibility while still providing a relatively compact additional building. With seating for around 15, this size can be used for intervention groups, SEND support, nurture provision, focused learning and other smaller-group activities.

George Spencer Academy in Nottingham chose a 10m² cabin, demonstrating how this size can provide a useful separate learning environment for SEND and wellbeing support within existing school grounds.

"We often hold group interventions in the cabin, where students may have difficulty in initiating a conversation with others. With this setup, it enables them to practice their verbal and nonverbal communication skills, reading facial expressions, gestures, and using eye contact. We also hold social groups and breakfast clubs in there. Furthermore, we've had team meetings, as well as inviting parents in for students’ annual reviews. The list goes on!"

Best for: Small-group learning, interventions and support
Capacity: 15

14m² Log Cabin

If you regularly need to accommodate larger pupil groups, a 14m² log cabin provides room for up to 21. This makes it a versatile option for schools looking for more substantial additional space without moving up to one of our largest standard cabins.

For example, New Monument Academy in Woking uses its 14m² outdoor cabin as a calm and welcoming wellbeing space, providing a dedicated environment away from the main school building.

Best for: Wellbeing, nurture, interventions and larger groups
Capacity: 21

17m² Log Cabin

This large log cabin seats 28 pupils, allowing you to create space for larger groups or whole class support. 

Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove chose a 17m² timber cabin to create an additional space to support their patients and their families. We designed their cabin with a wider, low threshold door to make it fully accessible for wheelchair users too.

"We use the cabin in a variety of ways. We use it as a one-to-one space with chairs and a table in the middle, a space to hold meetings, and we use it for larger group work too. It’s currently used mainly with the children we work with and they love the space – especially the colour changing LED lights! We have held a variety of groups in there. For example, we use it as an extension to our forest school group as it’s nestled into a wooded corner of the garden, and we have used it for arts and craft groups as well as for a martial arts group. We also use the cabin in conjunction with our fundraising events to help us raise the £1.95million needed every year to keep our doors open."

Best for: Larger groups, whole-class support and flexible learning
Capacity: 28

What If We Need Built-In Storage?

Outdoor learning and Forest School provision as well as early years outdoor play and enrichment in particular can come with plenty of equipment that needs somewhere secure and convenient to be stored. A storage extension can be added to selected cabin sizes, giving you a dedicated storage area without taking space away from the main teaching or activity area.

10m² Cabin + Storage Extension

Moorgate Primary Academy chose a 10m² cabin with a storage extension, providing space for pupils alongside dedicated Forest School equipment storage. Separating the storage area from the main room means equipment doesn't have to compete with pupils for usable floor space.

"We have different groups out here for forest school, such as whole classes as well as our nurture group which supports children with EHCPs and children with SEND. We also come out here for geography and science; we do bug-hunting, as well as PSHE and team-working activities. The children absolutely love it. We even used the cabin for a free onsite residential stay!"

Best for: Forest School, outdoor learning and activities requiring tools or equipment
Capacity: 12

17m² Cabin + Storage Extension

For educational settings that need both a larger main room and dedicated storage, a 17m² cabin with a storage extension provides additional flexibility.

Lawford CofE Primary School  uses this configuration for wraparound care, with room to seat 24 pupils on the benches alongside separate storage.

Best for: Wraparound care, larger groups and equipment-heavy activities
Capacity: 24

What If We Need Two Separate Rooms?

Sometimes one open room isn't the right solution. Adding a side room provides a second dedicated area alongside the main cabin. This can be particularly useful where different activities need to happen at the same time, or where you want a smaller private room alongside the main group space.

10m² Cabin + Side Room Extension

A 10m² cabin with a side room works well when you need a main learning space alongside a smaller, separate area for more focused support.

St Patrick's Catholic Primary Academy in Wolverhampton chose this layout to provide dedicated space for SEND support and interventions, with the side room offering flexibility for one-to-one or small group sessions.

Best for: SEND provision, interventions and one-to-one support
Capacity: Around 10-15

14m² Cabin + Side Room Extension

For more capacity, a 14m² school cabin can be combined with a side room to create a flexible multi-room school building.

Wednesbury Oak in Tipton uses this type of cabin for Forest School and outdoor learning, providing space for groups alongside a separate room.

Best for: Forest School, outdoor learning and multi-purpose provision
Capacity: Around 21-30

17m² Cabin + Side Room Extension

A 17m² cabin with a side room provides one of our largest individual cabin configurations, with capacity for around 25-30.

Acre Heads Primary School in Hull chose this configuration for its school library, creating a substantial main library area with the benefit of additional separate space.

"We hoped the space would provide our pupils with a welcoming and inspiring environment that could be enjoyed all year round, even though it is situated outside. Our aim was to create a versatile area that could be seamlessly incorporated into our Acre Play offer, giving children the opportunity to visit during their lunchtime and choose to read in a special, peaceful place. We wanted the reading retreat to become a valued part of school life - somewhere pupils could relax, explore new stories, and develop a genuine love for reading in their own time."

Best for: School libraries, larger learning spaces and multi-purpose provision
Capacity: Around 25-30

Need Even More Space? Consider Connected Cabins

For schools and nurseries that need significantly more capacity, we can connect two cabins together to create a much larger multifunctional outdoor building. This can provide the floor space needed for larger groups or two classes at once, and a more flexible outdoor learning layout.

2 x 10m² Connected Cabins

Connected 10m² cabins provide seating for 30+ and plenty of room for larger group activities, creating a flexible space that can be used for learning, play or group sessions.

Pops Outdoor Adventure Centre chose connected 10m² cabins to create large sheltered outdoor spaces at their two locations in Rawmarsh and Maltby.

Capacity: 30+

2 x 14m² Connected Cabins

Connected 14m² cabins provide space for up to 42, giving schools considerably more flexibility for larger groups and activities.

Cutnall Green CofE Primary uses its connected cabins for Forest School provision, creating a substantial dedicated outdoor learning environment.

"We use a lot of our Forest School area for SEN and for nurture groups, so our cabin really is pivotal. It's great for all years - from early years to years 5 and 6, to us teachers! Everyone can access it and enjoy nature and learning outdoors. Furthermore, we've even used our cabin for stargazing as well. We organised a sleepover, we all had a campfire in the cabin using the BBQ Grill and made marshmallows! The children really loved this experience. We're actually looking at inviting some of the inner-city schools within our trust to come and share the area, creating those wider links and enabling more children to benefit."

Best for: Wraparound care, nursery, outdoor learning and larger groups
Capacity: Up to 42

2 x 17m² Connected Cabins

For schools needing the greatest amount of space from our log cabin range, connected 17m² cabins can accommodate up to 50 pupils, allowing you to comfortably fit two classes at once if needed.

Farlington School in Horsham chose this configuration for its wellbeing centre, creating a large, flexible environment with enough room to support a variety of activities and uses.

"This space is perfect for what we do. It’s brilliant having the two rooms because I can set up an activity in one room and it’s the children’s choice if they want to join in with it or not. Having the other room means that I can put art materials and journals in there and a basket of books so the children can do as they please in there."

Best for: Wellbeing centres, inclusion bases and flexible multi-use space
Capacity: Up to 50

Which Log Cabin Size Is Right for Your School?

As a starting point, think about the maximum number of pupils likely to use the cabin at one time rather than simply the average group size. You should also consider what will happen inside. A group sitting for an intervention session will have different space requirements from a Forest School group bringing equipment indoors, a library with shelving or a wraparound care setting needing room for different activities. And if storage or a separate area is important, it may make more sense to choose a cabin with an extension or side room rather than simply increasing the size of one open room.

Our team of education building experts can help you compare the different options and find a layout suited to your school, pupils and available outdoor space. Get in touch to discuss how you'll use your building, your expected pupil numbers and the space available at your school.

You can also browse our free digital pricing guide to help with costings for a potential new log cabin.