Essendene Lodge School

Creating an inspiring learning environment where students and staff can read and research requires careful planning and specialist design. Library furniture needs to be functional and offer sufficient storage for books and learning aids, but like all school equipment it must also be robust to withstand the stresses and strains imposed upon it.

David Bailey Furniture Systems has been manufacturing fitted furniture for schools for more than 30 years and is experienced in specifying and designing furniture for school libraries of all shapes and sizes.

Library area fit-out

The company’s latest library project involved fitting out a small library area to maximise storage space at Essendene Lodge School in Caterham, Surrey. As pupils range from 3 to 11 years, Mrs K Ali, the school’s headteacher, wanted to create a bright and vibrant learning space where children would be encouraged to read.

Yellow & blue colour scheme

With the choice of 20 different colours for bespoke storage, David Bailey Furniture Systems helped Mrs Ali select a yellow and blue colour scheme and manufactured the bookcases from 18mm MDF finished both sides in 1mm thick laminate to the colour choices.

Mrs Ali, commented: “From the initial visit of designing our library space to the final finish, David Bailey Furniture Systems was very helpful. Our library area now looks uplifted and we’ve not lost any wall space, in fact we’re able to store more books than before. The fitters even offered to take our old shelves away!”

Range of bookcase styles

David Bailey Furniture Systems’ Education range of fitted furniture includes a selection of high quality, durable bookcases and tall storage units ideally suited to furnish school libraries. The range comprises three different designs – tall storage, standard bookcase or deep bookcase – available in a selection of widths. Alternatively, David Bailey Furniture Systems can design and manufacture bespoke library storage to meet a specific brief.

Education furniture by David Bailey

Our Education range of fitted furniture is regularly specified for education establishments throughout the UK, including primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities and special educational needs (SEN) schools. Available in 20 different colours as standard, we can install your education furniture, or deliver ready for you to fit. Our Education range includes wall-mounted and floor-standing units, storage trays and shelving, bookcases and laboratory furniture. We also offer a variety of safe and durable fixtures, fittings and specialist joinery to meet your specific needs. You can view our range of education furniture on our website.

Education furniture installations

Our specialist education furniture is installed in many schools, colleges and further education facilities. We have recently been selected by main contractor E W Beard to manufacture furniture for Headington Girls School in Oxford, in a £65,000 contract. This will be for 45 units and 100 metres of worktop in 11 classrooms. The work will start in November 2020. Other education customers include:

• Yateley Community School, Hampshire
• Channing School, London
• University of Wales
• Clore Shalom School, Hertfordshire

Architects and Contractors rely on us because they know we are well established and professional and our durable furniture is manufactured in Britain with craftsmanship and professionalism. We also install our own furniture into a facility, so there is no need to ensure a contractor has installation instructions.

School rebuilding programme

Update July 2020: We welcome the recent pledge by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, to provide a £1bn schools rebuilding programme over a 10-year investment plan for upgrades and refurbishments. This is the first major schools rebuilding programme since 2014 and will make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future. It is part of the prime minister’s plan to provide a world-class education for children and to help the economy bounce back from this year’s coronavirus crisis.

Essendene Lodge School furniture – where to find out more

Are you specifying fitted furniture for an education or healthcare facility? See short videos of our furniture being made and read testimonials from other architects, contractors and healthcare customers about working with us.

You can see our range of education furniture here.

Or please get in touch with us to discuss a project. Or call us on 01843 604896.