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advice for food preparation worksurface heights

for children in key stage 1

The height of food preparation worksurface should be 500mm for children at Key stage 1.

for children in key stage 2

The height of food preparation worksurface should be 650mm for children at Key stage 2.

for children at primary school
option one		Provide height adjustable worksurfaces.
implications		Adjustable furniture can be costly, but will provide the best fit to children. Furniture must be easy and quick to adjust to avoid disruption to lessons. Children will need to be trained in the use of such furniture. It will require a degree of classroom management to ensure correct fit.
option two		Provide 500mm and 650mm high worksurfaces (half 500mm high, half 650mm high)
implications		As each classroom will have two sizes of worksurfaces, a degree of classroom management is required, ie to ensure the relevant child stand at the appropriate height worksurface.
option three		Provide 500mm high worksurface.
implications		Taller children may find the surface too low, but as they only spend very short time at these surfaces, they are not likely to suffer from adverse effects.

for children in key stage 3

The height of food preparation worksurface should be 800mm for children at Key stage 3.

for children in key stage 4

The height of food preparation worksurface should be 850mm for children at Key stage 4.

for children at secondary school
option one		Provide height adjustable worksurfaces.
implications		Adjustable furniture can be costly, but will provide the best fit to children. Furniture must be easy and quick to adjust to avoid disruption to lessons. Children will need to be trained in the use of such furniture. It will require a degree of classroom management to ensure correct fit.
option two		Provide 800mm and 850mm high worksurfaces (half 800mm high, half 850mm high)
implications		As each classroom will have two sizes of worksurfaces, a degree of classroom management is required, ie to ensure the relevant child stand at the appropriate height worksurface.
option three		Provide 800mm high worksurface.
implications		Taller children may find the surface too low, but as they only spend very short time at these surfaces, they are not likely to suffer from adverse effects.

for children in post 16 educational institutions

The height of food preparation worksurface should be 900mm for children at Post 16 educational institutions.

	key stage 1	key stage 2	primary
key stage 3	key stage 4	secondary	16+