Furniture Breakthrough Confirmed
May 2005, Principals Today

Less fidgeting, better concentration, more settled classroom!
It's every teacher's dream.

But now it can fast become a reality, according to teachers using the new Bodyfurn®
classroom furniture.

A survey commissioned by Furnware Limited, the developer and supplier of Bodyfurn®, has given the furniture glowing reports and also highlighted ways schools can gain maximum benefits from the new technology. Top of the list was the comfort factor. "Very comfortable" was reported by almost all of the 80 respondents, who together represent close to 6,000 students. The fact that students no longer swing back on the chairs was the next big plus, followed by reports of less fidgeting, less shuffling, more settled students, improved bookwork and a greater ability to concentrate on class work for prolonged periods without getting tired. From a teaching point of view these clearly represent major steps forward, even if it is just in recognizing that behaviour and concentration problems often indicate comfort issues, and are not necessarily the fault of the child or the sign of an uninteresting lesson!

The teachers say the chairs stack well, and they are easily placed on desks at the end of the day without the actual feet touching the desktops so there is "no dirt from the floor".

They found the environmentally friendly Furnware Power Cleaner quickly removes any ink or other marks and expect the Furnware Restoration Oil will ensure the high standard of finish will remain for many years. Both these support products, supplied in spray bottles, they find to be safe and easily managed in the classroom. Having them readily available encourages the students to take responsibility, relieving the teacher of one further task.

But what about more than one size of desk and chair in a room? The benefits are clearly greatest where the system is well understood from the outset, especially by the teacher. The students find it less of a challenge - as one teacher said "They're like ducks to water!" Many teachers have been pleasantly surprised by increased flexibility in classroom management, and report more positive student interaction. But as one respondent said, there can be a problem. "Students can become 'militant' if they are asked to shift rooms. They want to take their chairs with them!" she said.