Member Article

The Bazaar Group aim for slice of British classroom market

A Northumberland-based manufacturer of soft furnishings is aiming to take a slice of the British classroom market following extensive research and development efforts.

From its Cramlington base, The Bazaar Group and its ‘Eden Learning Spaces’ brand have designed an educational range of soft furnishings that double as teaching tools.

The firm’s research included more than 50 site visits and 20 interviews with educational professionals and extensive product testing.

The Bazaar Group managing director Mark Dolder said: “Pupils can be seated for up to six hours a day at school and although the traditional desk and structured chair may be appropriate for writing tasks, activities such as group work, reading, using a tablet device or laptop and even getting outside are restricted with structured furniture.

“The University of Salford’s study on classroom design showed that a learning environment can affect a child’s academic progress over a year by as much as 25%.

“This is where our expertise in design and manufacturing has allowed us to create a modern range of bean-filled and foam-filled seating that reflects the latest thinking in educational practice. The interactivity and mobility made possible with our products far surpasses that of traditional and current options.”

Eden Learning Spaces was launched earlier this month at the ‘Education Show’ - a major industry conference.

Product manager Allison Chatten said: “Listening to our research findings we used popular cross-curricular themes from early years and key stages one and two to produce themed collections for nurseries and primary schools.

“Ergonomic design was applied to stylish high-backed bean bag chairs for secondary schools, to provide supported seating when teamed with technology.

“The sensory range is particularly interesting as this required more specialist attention. Our research showed bean bags work well in creating inclusive learning for autistic children as they provide proprioceptive input, which means the bean bag creates a deep pressure and as a result the child feels more supported and relaxed and can engage with the lesson or activity.

“We designed several items to use in tandem with other sensory products such as bubble tubes, fibre optics and ultra violet-lit rooms as well as using different textures and fabrics to help occupy fidgeting fingers.

“We were also able to create added value for the end customer by developing an online lesson library that houses free downloadable activity resources. These creative ideas are designed to make maths, literacy and phonics lessons fun, interactive and engaging.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .