Acoustic Design for Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Mainstream Schools presented by Emma Greenland at EIAS2023. A review of the evidence base regarding acoustic design and special educational needs was undertaken. To answer the following questions on behalf of the Department for Education in England: What are the differing listening needs for students with different […]
The large Epidauros Theatre – how did it sound with an audience and skene?
For practical reasons, most measurements of acoustics in ancient Greek theatres are made without an audience. Under those conditions much of the sound reaching the listener is in the form of reflections from the curved stone risers that form the seating. These reflections would be attenuated or eliminated by the audience. Let´s explore the Epidauros […]
Breaking the “sound barrier to science” at Winchester Science Centre
In the International Year of Sound, new acoustic solutions will make the Centre accessible for all The small but beautiful city of Winchester was once the capital of England. Winchester Science Centre, a more modern addition to the city, is on a mission to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) accessible to everyone. Over […]
Collaboration with education guru, Prof. Stephen Heppell to refurbish a Victorian Primary School.
Victorian schools (Queen Victoria: 1837 – 1901) in Britain originate from the 1870 Elementary Education Act , which made primary school education compulsory. This required the quick construction of a large number of schools, in both large, industrialised cities to leafy green villages. However, unlike the quick build, off-site schools of the 1970’s, Victorian schools […]
Improving access to listening in mainstream schools – Reasonable adjustments for acoustic design
Improving Access to Listening in Mainstream Schools There is now a student with special hearing or communication needs (SHCN) for every classroom in the UK. With more than 70% of lessons given vocally by our teachers, the opportunity to hear clearly and understand (even with cochlear implants) is one of the most important activities within […]
Improved Acoustics = greater sense of inclusion + attainment
“We have seen that applying acoustic conditions that support SEN learning actually benefits everyone.” – Adrian James, AJA Acoustics and former BB93 author An optimal sound environment is a basic necessity if all students are to learn effectively. The modern classroom puts greater emphasis on group communication and collaboration which often increases the overall noise […]
Visiting a sound place to learn
The bold new twin-site, City of Glasgow College super campus, imbued with Glasgow’s energy and complexity, is impressive. A host of design awards for Michael Laird and Reiach and Hall Architects, supported by Arup Acoustics, is a testament to this. The £228m twin-site super campus itself constitutes a city community, a so-called “sticky” campus, […]
Spreading the message about how to apply the new school acoustic standard
In April this year, Shane Cryer – Educational Environments Concept Developer continued Ecophon’s BB93 roadshows with a case study visit to the newly opened City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus, to highlight the importance of acoustics in education. This £66m campus, accommodating 2000 students, is just part of the overall £228m scheme to replace 11 […]
New revised Acoustics of Schools : a design guide in UK
This document jointly published by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) is designed to accompany the revised performance standards for the acoustic design of schools published by the Department for Education in December 2014 (White cover below). This latest document is a revision of the guidance previously published in 2003 as Sections 2 […]
Designing for Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A 10 step guide by Adrian James, BB93 committee member The new BB93 Acoustic design of schools, sets out performance standards for schools in England and Wales. In this guest contribution post, Adrian James, a BB93 committee member, addresses the question many asked at the recent Acoustics and Noise Consultants conference in Birmingham, and which has caused […]
