The Impact of Smart Lighting in Schools
Medlec Group recently completed a lighting installation for two classrooms at Banstead Preparatory School. The project highlighted the importance of tailored lighting solutions in educational settings. Let's find out why classroom lighting is essential and how the correct lighting improved learning outcomes.
Why Classroom Lighting Matters
Proper lighting in classrooms is about much more than visibility:
Good lighting supports focus, information processing, and memory retention.
The right lighting can reduce anxiety, improve behaviour, and boost overall wellbeing.
Proper lighting helps prevent eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.
Lighting that mimics natural daylight helps maintain healthy sleep-wake cycles, which is crucial for learning and development.
Consequences of Poor Lighting
When classroom lighting is not sufficient, students may experience:
Difficulty concentrating and staying focused on their task
Increased hyperactivity and fidgeting
Higher levels of fatigue and drowsiness
Headaches and eye strain
Reduced ability to read from whiteboards and papers due to glare
Mood disturbances and increased anxiety
In contrast, well-designed lighting can lead to:
Improved academic performance (up to 20% in maths and 26% in reading, Alliance to Save Energy)
Better behaviour
Enhanced overall wellbeing and reduced stress
Improved ability to see and engage with learning materials
More consistent energy levels throughout the school day
The Bright Side of Learning
Recent research has shown that quality lighting significantly affects concentration, mood, and academic performance. Studies have found that classrooms with high levels of natural daylight or full-spectrum lighting that mimics daylight can dramatically improve learning rates compared to poorly lit spaces.
Lighting by the Numbers
At Banstead Preparatory School, we focused on achieving the correct lux levels - the measure of light intensity. Lux is the unit that measures illuminance, or the amount of light that falls on a surface. To put this in perspective, moonlight typically provides about 1 lux, while direct sunlight can provide up to 100,000 lux.
For general classrooms, we aim for 300 to 500 lux following British Standard BS EN 12464-1. However, areas requiring more focus may need higher levels.
Our installation considered factors beyond basic lighting:
Glare reduction: Ensuring comfort and preventing glare, which can hinder reading
Colour temperature: Supporting various activities and mimicking natural light cycles
Flicker prevention: Minimising eye strain and fatigue
Lighting options: Allowing adjustment to suit different lessons and activities
Our installation supports productivity and wellbeing, creating an atmosphere where students thrive.
By providing lighting that mimics natural daylight and adapts to various learning activities, we hope to help create environments where students can reach their full potential. Research suggests this approach can boost learning outcomes by up to 20%.
If you're looking to enhance your educational environment with expert lighting solutions that can improve student performance and wellbeing, we can help.
