Great Baddow High School Acoustic Transformation
◆ Overview
Great Baddow High School partnered with Simple Acoustics to improve sound quality across several key areas, including their hearing resource base, main hall, and classrooms. The aim was to create calmer, more effective learning environments while maintaining the functionality and visual appeal of each space.
◆ The Challenge
The school faced challenges with excessive noise and reverberation, particularly in spaces supporting students with hearing impairments and additional needs such as autism and ADHD. The main hall required a carefully considered solution due to its multi-use nature, while classrooms needed improved acoustics to support both teaching and concentration. Alongside performance, it was important that the final solution complemented the school’s environment.
◆ The Solution
Simple Acoustics carried out a detailed on-site review and worked closely with the school to design tailored acoustic treatments for each space. From selecting colours and materials to planning layouts, every detail was considered to ensure both acoustic performance and visual impact. Installation was completed during school holidays to minimise disruption, with ongoing communication throughout the project.
◆ The Results
The improvements had an immediate and noticeable impact across the school. The hall was transformed both acoustically and visually, creating a calmer environment that supports students during key periods such as exams. Classrooms also saw significant benefits, with improved speech clarity, reduced strain on teachers, and a more focused atmosphere for students.
“Simple Acoustics was helpful from start to finish. They came to the school and quoted for the various rooms with no obligations… On returning to school the rooms had been transformed. Staff have mentioned how calming it feels to walk into the hall and are pleased that the work has been completed before our students sit their GCSEs.”
“Teachers have explained how they do not have to force voice projection, get a sense of calm walking into the room and have noticed the difference in the students they teach, especially as a number of the students using these rooms have additional needs such as autism, ADHD and deafness. Students have expressed a different feel as they walk in the room — they’ve noticed the ‘absence of sound’ and some have said ‘it feels calmer’.”
“As a school we have been very impressed by Simple Acoustics; the service they provide is personable, calm and with no expectations. We will be getting our dining room completed by Simple Acoustics in the near future.”
