CASE STUDY: PENRITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
A school that has embraced flexible learning spaces throughout its entire campus.
THE BRIEF
NorvaNivel has partnered with Penrith Christian School over the past seven years to evolve learning spaces throughout the entire K-12 school. Working closely with principal Bruce Nevill, we have created spaces ranging from classrooms and breakout spaces through to music and science rooms.
The shift in the design of learning environments paralleled the pedagogy moving toward student-centered learning. Traditional classroom furniture was found to be a barrier to this pedagogical change.
THE RESULT
The result has been greater collaboration and more engagement from students. Partnering with NorvaNivel to change the learning spaces has had the added benefit helping to change student behavior in the classroom. Says Mr. Nevill, “Any time a teacher has to correct a student or there’s something that’s happened in a classroom, they create a record of it…the number of those types of things has actually almost been reduced to zero.” He adds, “When you give them an alternative and open up some options for how they sit, it’s amazing how it just removes barriers that were there to learning…It’s been interesting to see how the kids have actually got excited about what they’re doing.”
THE PROCESS
The journey began with a radical shift away from just desks and chairs in all classrooms. Instead, the focus has been on using flexible school furniture that allows for individual and collaborative work or group instruction. Additionally, the range of furniture chosen for the spaces enables students choice as to what they sit on, how they sit, and where they work. Now nearly all of the learning spaces embody flexible learning.
Science rooms feature comfortable SCOFA™ Double Lounges for collaborative learning. Classrooms have modular tables, including our SEEDPOD™ Table, that allows for individual and group work; a range of soft seating options; and our AMPHI™ Presentation Collection (Snr) in presentation spaces that can also be reconfigured for breakout activities.
“When you give them an alternative and open up some options for how they sit, it’s amazing how it just removes barriers that were there to learning…It’s been interesting to see how the kids have actually got excited about what they’re doing.”
Bruce Nevill, Principal
SELECTED PRODUCTS FROM THIS CASE STUDY
Suited for group learning and presentation and break out spaces.
Incorporating a writable surface with storage along with a uniquely created table.
A highly flexible collection of work surfaces and seating that can be reconfigured for any learning space.
This collection is ideal for instruction and presentation. Modular and inherently flexible in its design.
Deep upholstered seat, ergonomically suited to an agile learning environment.
Our sit or stand collection with writable top is the perfect space for planning and brainstorming.