R&R 8954 52 Nov '15 cc

All-encompassing educational design
| Article
A student with Special educational needs (SEN) has a disability or communication challenges that makes it harder for them to learn
than others of the same age. There can be several issues obstructing their progress – the learning environment being one of the main
contributing factors. Here, Shane Cryer of Ecophon discusses the role of acoustics in the SEN learning environment.
The addition of low frequency absorption may
be fitted into dry lined walls, but in a
refurbishment project this is not always practical.
A cost effective solution is Ecophon’s Extra Bass
pads, placed on top of the suspended ceiling, out
of sight, allowing the capture of the disruptive
low frequencies before they spread back into the
classroom.
To ensure the success of the project when
possible acoustic consultants who are
experienced in this type of design should be
involved early on, as acoustic modelling may be
required to ensure the very best design is
created.
The SEN provision is an important introduction
to this sector and one that Ecophon has
welcomed. Schools and parents need to really
Around one in five children will be diagnosed
with a special educational need at some point
during their school years. SEN students often
need additional support and can be challenging
to teach. In 2013 - 2014 the DfE reported that
4000 secondary school students were
permanently excluded from school, of these
70% fell into the SEN category.
Educational establishments can help most
children and young people overcome the barriers
that SEN can present with extra help for some, or
all, of their education years. Much of this help is
based on one-on-one support, yet perhaps an
area that is often overlooked is the difference
the overall environment can have on learning –
with acoustics a key determinant.
Thanks to a number of Building Bulletins, the
importance of good acoustic design in schools
has achieved increasing recognition. In fact, it’s
gone from merely guidance (BB51) to being
mandatory, thanks to regulations such as Building
Regulations, School Premises Regulations,
Independent Schools Standard and the Equality
Act 2010.
Since 2003, BB93 ‘Acoustic Design for Schools’ has
been used to determine compliance with these
regulations. In addition, Part E of the Building
Regulations states: ‘the normal way of satisfying
requirement E4 will be to meet the values given
in section 1 of BB93.’
In 2014, BB93 was revised and subsequently reissued
in 2015. This revision supports provisions of
the Equality Act 2010, which requires all schools
to prepare and implement an accessibility
strategy to improve the physical environment of
a school for pupils with disabilities and special
educational needs (SEN). Now, the bulletin
provides for a wider range of SEN and is perhaps
the bulletin’s most significant development.
For this new standard, the reverberation time in
an SEN teaching space must be at 0.4 seconds or
below, over a wide frequency range, 125Hz –
4000Hz something that educational
establishments need to be aware of.
Ecophon recognises the importance of
educational design in relation to SEN and has
undertaken considerable research and
development. As such, the company has
identified a number of areas to consider in terms
of acoustic design to meet the new standard.
Ideally, SEN children should be taught in smaller
classes – the bigger the room volume the more
the reverberation, so keeping the room size
down and in particular the ceiling height to no
more than 2.4m high, will make a real difference.
In terms of absorptive finishes, only ‘Class A’
should be used since these are the most efficient.
However, to meet the SEN standard, controlling
low-frequency (bass) sound with additional low
frequency absorption is necessary. In fact, this is
key because these frequencies have the ability to
pass through masonry walls, which means they
can also pass through traditional suspended
ceilings and bounce back into the room. This low
frequency sound is particularly disruptive to
hearing impaired, autistic and ADHD students.
understand the risks of poor acoustics,
particularly for SEN students, by considering this
new guidance and understanding the simplest
way to comply. Retrospectively treating a
classroom to meet the new standard can be
achieved simply and cost-effectively by working
with products such as those offered by Ecophon.
For more information on Ecophon,
visit www.ecophon.com/uk
November2O15 issue 8954 refurb| RENEW 21