How can I stop visitors from getting lost at my school?
by Natarsha | School Signs

If visitors often get lost or confused on your school premises, it will cause frustration, safety concerns, and poor visitor experience. Do your visitors know which gate to enter? Can they easily find their way to the front office? Is your emergency or evacuation plan clear?
In this article, we outline the key considerations for wayfinding in schools, helping you to understand the reasons why visitors are getting lost, the frustrations this creates, and how to prevent it.
Why are visitors getting lost?
When visiting an unfamiliar school or campus, visitors typically look for visual cues or directional markers. If your school is lacking in these areas or the existing signage needs to be updated, visitors will struggle to identify the entrance and front office.
This can be extremely frustrating for visitors and office staff, who waste time redirecting visitors around the campus. Poor wayfinding can also disrupt appointments or events, and in some cases, it can lead to visitors missing out on critical information or opportunities. Many of these instances can be prevented with effective school signage.
How to improve wayfinding
If school visitors are getting lost frequently, there are some strategic changes you can implement in order to minimise this from occurring. In particular, we recommend starting with landscaping, lighting, and directional signage.
Strategic landscaping
Landscaping is a powerful tool to improve wayfinding by creating visual cues and guiding movement. Consider incorporating a range of hedges, pathways, and distinctive features to organise and distinguish key areas.
Lighting
If your school holds after-hour events or functions, it is important to consider strategic lighting. It can be placed along pathways or at building entrances to guide your visitors easily. When an entranceway or building is well-lit, it will appear more inviting and be easier for visitors to identify.
Directional signage
Evaluate whether your site entrances and reception are clearly marked — it’s important that your visitors can be directed without confusion. Wayfinding signs should incorporate clear directions, symbols, and in some cases, maps. We will optimise your signage positioning to improve navigation and can even incorporate illuminated signage where necessary, to maximise visibility.
We recommend implementing a range of directional signage, including:
- Electra digital LED signs
- Gate signage
- School maps
- Building signs
- Internal directional path and driveway signage
- Room or door Interior signage
The importance of good school signage
Signage is a crucial tool for communicating messages and ensuring a consistent brand image. Effective signage should also represent the school's identity, aligning with core values, the local community, and the school master plan.
To achieve this, school signs must be clear, informative, and cohesive. Do visitors feel welcome? Can they find their way? Are your signs consistent with school branding? What condition is the existing signage in? In our full article, we outline what to look for. Read it now to decide if you should book a Visual Strategy Workshop with our signage experts.
Types of directional signage
Directional signage plays a crucial role in guiding people through unfamiliar spaces, ensuring they can navigate efficiently and safely. There are many types of wayfinding signs available and we recommend implementing them as a cohesive suite as they typically work best together.
Electra digital signage
Our Electra digital signs offer a simple, high-quality way to display your messages, creating an eye-catching focal point at the entrance of your school. With your school branding on display, this reassures visitors that they are in the right place.
Electra digital signs can be placed at the main entry of a school along a main road, clearly communicating that it is the main entrance. They can also be placed inside the school to display directions or advertise open nights and after-hour school functions.
Gate signage
When a visitor is trying to find their way around, one of the first signs they’ll see is a gate sign. These signs ensure visitors use the correct entry point, reducing confusion and ensuring a smooth flow of traffic. Gate signs are important for both vehicle and pedestrian access.
Gate signage also ensures emergency services can locate and access the property quickly, as required.
School maps
A map allows people to understand their current location, identify key buildings, and plan the best route to their destination. This is especially important in large or complex areas where visitors may feel disoriented.
Building signs
Building signs help people quickly recognise buildings, which is particularly critical for parents and new students. Clear and visible building signage enhances wayfinding and makes it easier to identify entry points.
Room or door signage
Inside the school buildings, signs direct people to important areas like classrooms, restrooms, administrative offices, and common spaces. Interior signage can communicate vital information, such as emergency exits, room numbers, or event locations, making the space more accessible and user-friendly. This reduces confusion while also enhancing the overall campus experience.
Do you need a signage audit?
Take a moment to recall your first visit to your school. What were your initial impressions? Was it easy to find your way around?
If you are still unsure whether your school needs a Visual Strategy Workshop, you can complete our Visual Strategy Workshop Checklist Quiz by clicking the link below, to help you understand whether a VSW is right for you. For the most accurate assessment of your existing signage, take a look at it with fresh eyes as if you’re seeing it for the first time.