NOVA Acoustics designs and delivers acoustic panel solutions for school classrooms and learning environments. Our consultant-led approach improves speech clarity, concentration, and inclusivity, supporting effective teaching and positive learning outcomes.
Poor acoustics in classrooms, often caused by hard surfaces like walls, ceilings, and floors, lead to excessive noise and reverberation, which can make it difficult for students to hear and understand their teacher. This can negatively impact comprehension, focus, and overall learning outcomes, particularly for younger students or those with hearing difficulties. Acoustic wall panels are a highly effective solution, as they absorb sound waves and reduce echoes, ensuring that speech is clear and intelligible throughout the room. By strategically installing these panels, classrooms can create an environment that enhances communication between teachers and students, enabling better academic performance.
For classrooms with high ceilings or large open spaces, acoustic baffles and rafts are particularly beneficial. Suspended vertically from the ceiling, baffles help control sound waves that travel upward and prevent them from reverberating back into the room, while rafts, installed horizontally, diffuse sound to create an even distribution of acoustics. These treatments are ideal for modern classroom designs, which often emphasize open layouts and large windows but may inadvertently create noise challenges. In addition to improving speech clarity, the use of baffles and rafts can reduce background noise from activities in adjacent rooms or hallways, fostering a focused and quiet learning environment. Acoustic solutions also come in a variety of colours and designs, allowing them to blend seamlessly with classroom aesthetics or even serve as creative visual elements. By incorporating acoustic wall panels, baffles, and rafts, schools can create classrooms that are not only acoustically optimized but also visually engaging, promoting an atmosphere conducive to learning and engagement.
Products
Sustainable 40mm Polyester Fibre Acoustic Panel with Class A Sound Absorption made with >60% Recycled Material. Suitable for walls, ceilings, rafts or baffles.
40mm Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panel with Class A Sound Absorption. Available in a huge range of colours and sizes. Bespoke to order. Suitable for walls, ceilings, rafts and baffles.
40mm Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panel with Class A Sound Absorption. Self-adhesive for easy DIY Installation. Suitable for surface mounting to walls or ceilings.
40mm Impact-Resistant Acoustic Wall Panels with Class A Sound Absorption. Available in a huge range of colours and sizes. Suitable for surface mounting to walls.
12mm or 24mm Polyester Acoustic Panel with Class A Sound Absorption. Available in a huge range of colours and sizes. Bespoke to order. Suitable for walls, ceilings, rafts and baffles.
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Benefits of acoustic panelling solutions in Classrooms
Improved Speech Clarity
Acoustic panels reduce echoes and background noise, ensuring teachers’ voices are clear and easily understood by all students.
Enhanced Focus and Learning
Quieter classrooms help minimize distractions, allowing students to concentrate better and retain information more effectively.
Support for All Learners
Better acoustics benefit students with hearing impairments, language barriers, or attention challenges, ensuring a more inclusive learning environment.
Reduced Noise Transmission
With better sound control, sports halls can easily host a range of events beyond athletics, such as meetings, community gatherings, or school functions.
Teacher Comfort
Balanced acoustics reduce the strain on teachers’ voices, improving their comfort and effectiveness during lessons.
Flexible Use of Space
Acoustic improvements make classrooms suitable for various activities, from discussions to multimedia presentations, without overwhelming noise levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are acoustic panels important in classrooms?
Classrooms rely on clear communication between teachers and students. Poor acoustics can cause speech to become muffled or distorted, making it difficult for learners—especially younger children and those with additional learning needs—to understand instructions. Acoustic panels absorb excess sound and ensure speech remains clear and intelligible.
What problems do acoustic panels solve in classrooms?
They reduce echo, reverberation, and background noise. This stops sound from bouncing around the room and competing with the teacher’s voice, improving focus, comprehension, and overall learning outcomes.
Do acoustic panels benefit students with special educational needs?
Yes. Children with hearing impairments, attention difficulties, or sensory sensitivities are particularly affected by poor acoustics. A quieter, clearer environment helps them stay engaged and reduces cognitive strain.
Can acoustic panels improve exam or study environments?
Absolutely. Reduced noise helps create a calm, distraction-free space where students can concentrate better, leading to improved performance during independent work or assessments.
Will acoustic panels affect the classroom design?
Not negatively. Acoustic products are available in vibrant colours and shapes that can complement classroom décor or even act as educational visual elements. They can blend seamlessly or become part of the design theme.
Do classrooms with modern design features need acoustic treatment?
Yes. Many contemporary classrooms include glass, hard floors, and open-plan layouts that reflect sound and increase noise levels. Acoustic panels counteract these issues and restore balance.
Do we need ceiling panels as well as wall panels?
In many cases, yes. Ceiling baffles and rafts are effective in rooms where overhead noise builds up, especially in larger classrooms or those with high ceilings. A combination of wall and ceiling treatments often provides the best results.
Will installing acoustic panels disrupt teaching?
No. Installations are typically quick and scheduled around lesson times, causing minimal disruption. Once installed, panels require little to no maintenance.
Do acoustic panels help with technology use in the classroom?
Yes. With increasing reliance on projectors, speakers, tablets, and interactive displays, acoustic treatments prevent sound distortion, feedback, and echo—improving the use of audio-visual equipment.
Are acoustic panels mandatory in schools?
While not always legally required, many educational standards and guidelines recommend acoustic treatment to support equal learning opportunities. Good acoustics are now considered a best-practice component of modern classroom design.
