the study of classroom environments has received increased attention by researchers, teachers, school administrators and administrators of school systems. Vivid descriptions and images of schools through powerful movies (for example, To Sir With Love, Up the Down Staircase, Dead Poet's Society) and less powerful dramatisations (Glenview High, Class of 75, Beverly Hills 90210, Boston Public) all attest to the centrality of environment to the defining character of schools and classrooms. The concept of environment, as applied to educational settings, refers to the atmosphere, ambience, tone, or climate that pervades the particular setting. It is noteworthy from the outset to recognise that classroom environments are human environments. Accordingly, research in this field has focussed historically on the psychosocial dimensions of the environment - those aspects of the environment that focus on human behaviour in origin or outcome (Boy & Pine 1988).