Lawford C of E Primary school
Redesigning Learning Spaces
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Children are able to transform the layout, quickly, safely
and frequently to suit the subjects taught
'We wanted to look at how we can adapt our learning environments for the children to be able to work in different ways in our classrooms, but still making sure that we have flexible space for the children to be using their devices'
Katie Usher
Headteacher
Lawford C of E Primary School
Lawford 2030: Adapting Classrooms for Flexible, High-Quality Learning
As part of their "Lawford 2030" strategic roadmap, the school is adapting classroom environments to offer flexible, high-quality learning opportunities for students to work in diverse ways alongside their devices.
'The children have just naturally got used to it, and it's taken them less and less time to kind of settle into that format.'
Keighley Dadd
Year 3 Teacher - Lawford C of E Primary School
Why bother experimenting with furniture?
Trialling flexible furniture in a Year 3 classroom allowed children to easily adapt their space, accommodating a wheelchair user and supporting practical lessons.
'I encourage our staff to be innovative with both classroom layout and their use of technology. I have been inspired by schools like Danesfield and the LEO Academy Trust, which I visited through the EdTech Hubs programme and Northwest EdTech study tour, I've seen how adapting traditional spaces with flexible furniture can deeply enrich the learning experience for all age groups, often at minimal cost'
Katie Usher
Headteacher
Lawford C of E Primary School
Introduction to the pilot
Replacing heavy, unstable, mismatched furniture with adaptable modular tables solved a Year 3 classroom's inflexibilty issues. T
This change freed the environment from fixed, static layouts, allowing the teacher to easily reclaim space and adapt it quickly and easy for certain subjects such as music and dramal
'....beforehand all my tables had to be in a fixed static location, which meant for certain lessons I was unable to move them and get the best use of my environment in the classroom...'
Keighley Dadd
Year 3 Teacher - Lawford C of E Primary School
How did you adapt to the new furniture?
Despite initial layout challenges, Year 3 pupils quickly adapted to flexible furniture. They now transition smoothly into custom classroom setups tailored specifically for science, art, and music lessons.
Why use modular furniture?
The modular furniture features a stricking visual connector that clearly defines student space, prevents elbow-bumping, and is light enough for children to move quickly, minimising transition times.
"With the blue visual connector, it's really obvious what space is allocated for the child. It gives you enough space for left handed and right handed children so that their elbows aren't banging together..."
Keighley Dadd
Year 3 Teacher - Lawford C of E Primary School
What has been the impact?
The pilot project's flexible, stackable furniture allows children to safely reconfigure classrooms mid-lesson.
This accommodates diverse physical needs, enables collaborative group work, and increases student focus, ultimately leading to higher academic attainment.
'More focus means that the attainment has gone up'
Keighley Dadd
Year 3 Teacher - Lawford C of E Primary School
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