FIRA to help raise standards in school furniture

FIRA is to launch a certification scheme to help specifiers choose better furniture products – and to make pupils more willing to learn and less prone to back pain. 

Recent research has shown the average height and weight of 10-16 year olds has increased since the 1970s, when the last major study was conducted. However, much of the furniture used in schools takes the ‘one size fits all’ approach, and does not take into account different sizes and height differences, and neither does it afford flexibility.

These elements are essential not just from a learning point of view – discomfort causes fidgeting and disruption, which are not conducive to education – but also from the perspective of children’s health. Recurrent back pain in school age children is increasing, with one UK study finding 36% of 11-14 year olds experiencing the condition.

Levent Caglar, Senior Ergonomist at FIRA, said: “Children typically spend 15,000 hours sitting down in classrooms during their education, but a lot of existing school furniture is not fit for purpose. It is often the last thing considered by specifiers for new buildings or refurbishments, and this can result in the choice of cheap options which hinder learning and damage the health of pupils”.

The British Council for School Environments endorses the call to action, Safe seats of learning, on which the scheme is based. BCSE Director, Ty Goddard, said: “The British Council for School Environments recognises the right of young people to learn in an environment which is safe, healthy and achieves the highest quality possible. We must all be committed to improving the quality, attractiveness and health of the learning and communal spaces in our schools. Environmental factors have significant effects on pupil and teacher well-being. Poor quality lighting, ventilation, acoustics and furniture all have a negative effect on student achievement and health.

What we value in our homes, we should value in our schools. What we wouldn't accept in our workplaces, should not be part of our schools. Good school furniture can and does make a difference. As parents and pupils campaigned against 'turkey twizzler' type food, so they will campaign against 'turkey twizzler' type furniture.

We must ensure that money spent on furniture is fit for purpose. The UK has suppliers willing to innovate and we must continue to invest in and design fit for purpose and flexible furniture. Poor ergonomic design of classroom chairs can affect concentration, handwriting and general well-being. We welcome the work of FIRA and this landmark document, Safe seats of learning.”

FIRA is to launch the certification mark scheme to help raise the standard of school furniture at the ‘Safe seats of learning’ half day seminar to be held on the morning of 14 May at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts (RSA) in central London. The event is free and includes lunch; to book a place, please call 01438 777700 or email

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