New Research Uncovers Major Challenges in Educational Furniture Procurement

The Furniture Industry Research Association's latest research study, 'An Exploration of Educational Furniture Procurement,' aims to understand the factors influencing the procurement process for educational furniture.

As schools adapt to evolving teaching methods, increased technology use, and rising numbers of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the need for ergonomic, flexible furniture has never been greater. Poorly designed classroom furniture can contribute to poor posture, discomfort, and reduced concentration, ultimately affecting learning outcomes.

This pilot study, undertaken by FIRA International, the service provider to the Research Association, has identified systemic issues that hinder schools from obtaining high-quality, ergonomic furniture. It sheds light on the impact of budget constraints, outdated procurement processes, and a lack of ergonomic awareness on student well-being and learning outcomes.

It also points out key areas for improvement, advocating for industry-wide support in developing better procurement policies, ensuring compliance with British and European standards, and raising awareness of furniture's crucial role in promoting student health and engagement.

Some of the key findings:

• Budget limitations force schools to prioritise cost over ergonomics, leading to non-compliant and outdated classroom furniture
• Restricted procurement choices mean schools often rely on the same limited product catalogues, missing out on innovative solutions
• Lack of ergonomic awareness results in purchasing decisions that do not prioritise student comfort or posture
• Compliance challenges with BS EN 1729 standards mean many schools unknowingly purchase non-compliant furniture due to a lack of transparency around certification

This pilot study is the first phase of a larger research project. Its aim is to inform policy changes and promote better procurement practices that ensure all students have access to comfortable, supportive learning environments.

The FIRA Ergonomics team will now embark on the next stage of the research, which involves further data collection and broader industry collaboration to validate the findings of this pilot study. Schools, suppliers, and policymakers are encouraged to discuss how procurement processes can be improved to prioritise student well-being.

Our members can download a copy of the study, 'An Exploration of Educational Furniture Procurement,' for free as part of their membership benefits.

Available for Non-members to purchase via our online Bookshop for £150.

We welcome feedback on the project findings so far and request that anyone interested in contributing knowledge relevant to this research contact the ergonomics team via info@fira.co.uk