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Ergonomics in the workplace
Why ergonomic school furniture is key to student well-being and focus

A classroom scene where three children are seated at a table, engaged in a creative art activity. They are surrounded by art supplies, and a teacher is overseeing their work, smiling and interacting with them.

Better ergonomics in schools boost efficiency and well-being

School is the students’ workplace, and arguably the most important one in society. It’s where students spend a significant part of their daily lives, so creating an ergonomic learning environment is essential. Under the Education Act, all schools in Ireland must provide a setting that supports both student health and well-being. In this article, we explore key factors that contribute to an optimal classroom - one that enhances student comfort, focus and performance.

Why is ergonomics important in schools?

Ergonomics is all about designing environments to suit the needs of individuals. In schools, it plays an essential role in supporting student health, comfort and concentration. Students spend long hours seated in classrooms, so poor posture or inadequate furniture can quickly lead to discomfort, loss of focus and even long-term musculoskeletal issues. Likewise, factors like insufficient lighting can cause eye strain and headaches, making it harder for students to stay engaged.

The importance of movement and variation

Just as adults are encouraged to avoid prolonged sitting at work, it’s equally important for students to move regularly during the school day. Encouraging varied seating positions and offering the chance to stand helps improve circulation and reduces the risk of strain or fatigue.

That’s why it’s important to incorporate flexible, movement-friendly options into the classroom - from height-adjustable desks and wobble stools to perch seats and sit-stand tables. These solutions support active learning and make it easier to cater to a range of student needs.

A classroom with a few students where a girl in a yellow sweater sitting at a desk raise her hand to answer a question

Sit-stand adjustable student desks: with desks that can be adjusted in height, students have an easy way to vary their working position during the day. Discover the best studend desks for your school in our full guide!
Active sitting: active seating is a great complement to traditional student chairs, as it encourages natural movement even while seated.
Pedal exercisers and desk bikes: Using a pedal exerciser or desk bike is a great way for students to get extra exercise without leaving their workspace.

Explore our ergonomic range of office furniture:

Available in several options

Height adjustable desk ATTUNE, 600x520 mm, white

Art. no.: 149050

€229.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, turquoise

Art. no.: 234724

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Active sitting balance stool ACTON, grey

Art. no.: 234731

€199.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, black

Art. no.: 234721

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, white

Art. no.: 234726

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, orange

Art. no.: 234723

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, yellow

Art. no.: 234722

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Balance ball stool CHESTER, Ø 450x550 mm

Art. no.: 211395

€249.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

School desk AXIOM, sound absorbing linoleum, silver, beige

Art. no.: 343124

€169.00

Excl. VAT

School desk AXIOM, high pressure laminate, silver/birch

Art. no.: 343122

€149.00

Excl. VAT

Back App ergonomic stool, black, alu grey

Art. no.: 234661

€729.00

Excl. VAT

Foldable pedal exerciser for schools

Art. no.: 23403

€99.00

Excl. VAT

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, red

Art. no.: 234725

€139.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

School desk 182, silver, beige linoleum

Art. no.: 343224

€163.00

Excl. VAT

Active stool MIMI, black

Art. no.: 361651

€215.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, linoleum, beige, silver

Art. no.: 3435204

€489.00

Excl. VAT

School desk 182, silver, birch laminate

Art. no.: 343222

€153.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, high pressure laminate, birch, silver

Art. no.: 3434202

€469.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

Sit-stand school desk ASCEND, light grey linoleum, alu grey

Art. no.: 342544

€649.00

Excl. VAT

Available in several options

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, acoustic high pressure laminate, birch, anthracite

Art. no.: 3436702

€519.00

Excl. VAT

Tip! Children of the same age can vary significantly in height. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose desks first, then pair them with chairs that are either height-adjustable or available in a range of sizes. This ensures every student can sit comfortably and with proper support.

Ergonomic conditions in the classroom

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to creating an ergonomic learning environment. From making sure students are seated correctly to managing classroom noise. But by focusing on a few key principles, you can make a big difference!

three large, round, gray sound absorber felt wall panels placed on a classroom wall

1. Effective sound insulation

Excessive noise levels in the classroom can have an adverse impact on learning, performance and sleep quality. Constant background noise may also lead to physical tension in the shoulders and neck, resulting in headaches or muscle pain. Solutions like study screens, floor screens and sound-absorbing benches can help reduce disruptive sounds. However, for the best results, these should be combined with wall and ceiling absorbers.

Read the acoustics expert's tips

2. Good posture

Working in front of a screen is becoming increasingly common in schools and it is important to sit correctly to prevent tension on the arms, shoulders and neck. The monitor should be positioned at arm's length and students should be able to work with their hands close to the body with their forearms supported on the desk. A desk forearm support can be a simple yet effective addition to further reduce pressure on the upper body and promote a more ergonomic working position.

3. Comfortable relief

When working in a standing position, a standing mat offers a simple way to increase comfort. Most school floors are hard and not ideal for standing still over long periods. That’s why anti-fatigue mats are designed specifically to relieve pressure on the legs, knees and back. They’re a practical solution in the classroom and can easily be shared between students who alternate between sitting and standing.

4. Proper lighting

Visual ergonomics in the classroom is essential to support students’ concentration and overall wellbeing, creating the right conditions for effective learning. The most effective setup combines direct lighting on work surfaces with indirect ambient lighting on walls and ceilings. To achieve the right light levels, classrooms should incorporate multiple rows of ceiling luminaires along with dedicated lighting for whiteboards or blackboards to enhance visibility for both students and teachers.

a girl sitting on a YNGVE chair and writing on a notebook at her desk

Tips! Our in-house designed student chair, YNGVE, was developed together with students from three different schools. The result? A versatile chair available in a range of models, heights and colours - with a unique design that allows students to sit comfortably in four different directions.

Need help? Ask our experts!

We at AJ Products are always available to help you with solutions suited just for your business. Contact us if you have questions on the choice of fabric, need some inspiration or want to know the alternatives that would best suit your premises. We can then tell you more about your choices.

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Better ergonomics in schools boost efficiency and well-being

Why is ergonomics important in schools?

The importance of movement and variation

Explore our ergonomic range of office furniture:

Height adjustable desk ATTUNE, 600x520 mm, white

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, turquoise

Active sitting balance stool ACTON, grey

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, black

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, white

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, orange

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, yellow

Balance ball stool CHESTER, Ø 450x550 mm

School desk AXIOM, sound absorbing linoleum, silver, beige

School desk AXIOM, high pressure laminate, silver/birch

Back App ergonomic stool, black, alu grey

Foldable pedal exerciser for schools

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, red

School desk 182, silver, beige linoleum

Active stool MIMI, black

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, linoleum, beige, silver

School desk 182, silver, birch laminate

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, high pressure laminate, birch, silver

Sit-stand school desk ASCEND, light grey linoleum, alu grey

Sit-stand student desk ADJUST, 700x600 mm, acoustic high pressure laminate, birch, anthracite

Ergonomic conditions in the classroom

1. Effective sound insulation

2. Good posture

3. Comfortable relief

4. Proper lighting

Need help? Ask our experts!

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