2001 Anthropometric survey of school children in England
FIRA’s Ergonomics Unit undertook an anthropometric Survey of school children in England in March April 2001. The survey was jointly funded by FIRA, DfEE (Department for Education and Employment) and British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA). A total of 1393 children aged between 4 and 16 years were measured for their weight, stature, standing elbow height, popliteal length, popliteal height, shoulder breadth and sitting elbow height
Cutting edge designers are creating school furniture of the future
In 1999-2000, £950 million was spent on educational resources, but only about ten percent of this was spent on furniture (£42.9 million in primary and £51.3 on secondary schools). Unfortunately key criteria for the selection of furniture in most schools have been dominated by price, ease of ordering and availability. As can be seen from the picture here, it is generally accepted that the furniture in schools is not appropriate for the size of today’s children and types of activities children do, and also it looks worn out, out of date and uninspiring.
Ergonomics