"I have been lucky enough to have Academy Junior tables in my classroom for just over half a term."
From the start, we set them up in the ‘checker board’ design purely for aesthetic reasons; however there are a number of benefits associated to this type of layout. Within my Year 6 class, I run a system of learning partners where the children work with a random partner to encourage dialogic talk (talk for learning).
When initially developing success criteria for what makes a good learning partner, the children were sat at a standard desk and felt that ‘someone who shares the space’ was an important aspect of working together successfully. After just a week with Academy desks, the children agreed unanimously that this was no longer an issue, which they all attributed to their new desks. The checker board layout instantly meant that they had their own personal space whilst remaining part of the group as a whole.
In further developing talk for learning, the ability to share ideas easily across the group has been clear to see, with no one person being ‘head’ of the table and assuming a more dominant role, as happens with rectangular tables to accommodate six children. Whilst the tables take up no more physical space than a traditional layout, the amount of working space per child is greater. It also means no more switching children around because they are left handed and are ‘bumping elbows!’
The additional working space is a benefit, especially as the children each have their own personal notebook computer, which is permanently on and charging via the central power pod. The notebooks sit neatly toward the rear of the desk, allowing plenty of room for exercise books, text books, pencil cases etc. Previously, when used amongst other resources, the notebook computers had been known to get pushed off the edge of the table! This is unlikely to happen when set up in the ‘round’. The extra space also allows me greater ease in working with a group, as there is plenty of room to sit in between two children without becoming the dominant figure.
Academy Junior is incredibly easy to move and set up which the children manage with ease. The tables nest into each other and leave plenty of safe space for activities such as drama. No more stacking tables on top of each other, sometimes with the legs upturned! Should I ever move classrooms, I will be demanding the Academy Junior tables come with me!
Gemma Hulme
Deputy Head - Mellor Primary School
Academy Power Tower is a cylindrical column to house six PC mains adaptors.
It provides a filtered mains supply for students’ laptop computers,
keeping table surfaces clear and
eliminating cable clutter.
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Academy Cabinets please
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Academy Folding
Tables please
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