Is this how classrooms could look after lockdown? Sunderland mum designs protective classroom dividers

Could this be how classrooms will look as schools reopen after the coronavirus lockdown?
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One Sunderland businesswoman thinks so.

Louise Stephenson, who runs print specialist Where The Trade Buys, has come up with an innovative solution to the problem of keeping staff and pupils safe from possible infection.

Worried about how her 11-year-old son Harry would be able to keep to social distancing once he was back in the classroom, she designed a low-cost desk divider, which comes in a range of designs and colours, with a

Louise's design for a classroom dividerLouise's design for a classroom divider
Louise's design for a classroom divider
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Perspex window which still allows the child to see out into the classroom while being protected.

Now the business is planning to work with schools and create bespoke designs for the dividers, so they can be personalised with specific information or a school logo.

And because they are being made out of Correx – a durable board – they can also be wiped clean and are easily packed away or disposed of.

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“There are parents around the country who will have the same concerns about the fact their children may be returning to school in the near future,” said Louise.

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“So I worked with our team on the idea and we have come up with range of stylish design templates which people can choose from, or we can work with a school to create the dividers to their specifications,” she said.

“I think these will offer a really fun, practical and safe solution to a problem that many of us are worrying about.”

The firm has already had a number of orders from North East schools and is offering samples to others.

The divider is one of a number of health and safety essentials which the company has created in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, which has included diversifying to produce PPE.

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