As a new academic year begins, it’s time to rethink posture, equipment, and wellbeing in education settings. When classrooms go quiet for the summer break, many schools will have shifted their attention to supplies, curriculums, and new staff. But when the school gates reopen in September, a different invisible challenge awaits: the toll that daily screen time and unsuitable furniture can take on teachers, lecturers, admin staff - and by extension, on learning itself.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) isn’t just for desk‑based office roles. Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, any worker using screens daily for continuous periods of an hour or more must have a workstation and environment that meets the minimum requirements of the DSE health and safety regulations and be provided with a proper workstation assessment. That includes staff in schools and universities and it will ensure legal compliance and peace of mind, fulfilling employer obligations under DSE regulations.
At DSE Assessments Ltd, we’ve recently been working with several schools to assess teachers’ chair and desk setups - and it’s clear that many education institutions don’t realise how existing setups fail basic ergonomic criteria:
These issues can lead to musculoskeletal discomfort and visual fatigue … all of which may reduce productivity, effectiveness and increase sickness absence.
When we work in education settings, here’s what we focus on, and what school leaders should insist on.
1. Whole‑Staff Assessment
Don’t just audit the computer lab. Include:
2. Furniture & Equipment Fit
3. Environment & Lighting
4. Training & Behaviour Change
How Schools & Universities Can Benefit
If schools embrace DSE assessments and take action, the benefits are material:
In recent term‑end visits, we’ve found that a few hours of assessment, followed by small equipment tweaks and staff training, can yield visible improvements in comfort and morale. Our clients have reported fewer complaints about aches and pains and better posture awareness, which can be applied to hybrid or remote work arrangements when lesson planning or marking.
We deliver:
As the new term begins, school leaders have a chance to set the tone for a healthier, more sustainable working environment. The computers will go on, lessons will start, and marking will pile up - but with proper DSE assessments, we can help make sure those days don’t pile up physical fatigue or injury, too.
Want some guidance for setting up a DSE policy tailored to education? Get in touch with us to explore how we can support your school or university this year.
info@dse-assessments.co.uk
0844 335 6188
T - 0844 335 6188