The United Kingdom’s (UK) most outstanding educational resources, suppliers, educators and institutions were today selected as finalists for the Education Resource Awards (ERAs) 2012. Organised by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and Brilliant Marketing Solutions Ltd., the ERAs highlight the quality and diversity of educational products and resources, excellent educational establishments and the most inspiring members of the teaching profession.

Ray Barker, director of BESA, comments: “The Awards aim to test and identify the best resources available to today’s schools and classrooms. Now in their fourteenth successful year, what makes these Awards really different is that they focus on the resources, services and people that really make a practical impact on learning and the day-to-day work of the teachers in the classroom. At a time when schools are being given more freedom to use their professional judgement to organise learning as they see fit, the Awards play an increasingly important role in helping to identify products that make a real difference to education.” 

Support from the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet has given a boost to the launch of a new childcare product designed to assist child development, provide comfort and improve posture in infants and children. The innovative wedge cushion PosturePadJunior™ has been designed by chartered physiotherapist and enterprising mother-of-three and Lorna Taylor.

Derby-based Lorna has worked with the iNet over several months to get advice, funding and general support for her product ideas. The PosturePad™ is manufactured entirely within the UK and the Baby version has been on display at this week’s Baby Show For Trade.

“As a children’s physio, I am concerned at how child development is being adversely affected by current lifestyles. I wish to show parents how to position their babies to allow core strengthening of the back and neck,” says Lorna. “Babies should be encouraged to play on their tummies everyday with appropriate support. It is also essential that good back health habits start early in school-aged children. The wedge-shape cushion is a simple means of naturally supporting the spine for comfort and physical development.”

First published in Your Voice in April 2010

Have you experienced back, neck, shoulder, hip or knee discomfort? The chances are that if you work with young children you will have!

Are you familiar with sitting on children’s plastic chairs, stooping over and working at low tables, kneeling to assist children at the computer? If so, you are putting yourself at risk of developing a work-related musculoskeletal injury.

Today, there is a strong focus on employee health and well-being, with regulations to protect employees. However, in education, workplace injuries are commonly accepted ‘as part of the job’. Is this acceptable? Should employees working at low heights with children be put at risk of long-term injuries?