Education facilities are some of my favourite projects. Schools and universities have genuine constraints—tight budgets, occupied buildings, diverse spaces—but also clear goals: help students learn effectively.

Lighting plays a real role in that. Here’s how to approach it.

Why Education Lighting Matters

Research consistently shows that lighting affects cognitive performance, alertness, and wellbeing. In educational settings specifically:

• Better lighting improves reading speed and comprehension
• Appropriate light levels reduce eye strain during extended study
• Daylight access correlates with better test scores
• Poor lighting increases fatigue and decreases concentration

This isn’t just theory. Schools that have upgraded to quality LED lighting report tangible benefits in student and teacher feedback.

Standards and Guidelines

AS/NZS 1680.1 and AS/NZS 1680.2.1 provide guidance for educational lighting:

Space	Maintained Illuminance
Classrooms	320 lux (desk level)
Lecture theatres	500 lux
Libraries (reading areas)	320-500 lux
Art rooms	500 lux
Computer labs	300-500 lux
Gymnasiums	300 lux general, 500 lux for sports
Corridors	100 lux
Staffrooms	160 lux

These are minimums. Many education authorities specify higher levels.

Critical Considerations

Glare Control

Students spend hours looking at whiteboards, screens, and books. Glare from poorly designed lighting causes discomfort and reduces effectiveness.

Requirements:

• UGR<19 for classrooms (lower for intensive computer use)
• No direct view of lamp sources where possible
• Consider veiling reflections on whiteboards

Modern LED panels with good optical design achieve excellent UGR ratings. Don’t accept fittings without published glare data.

Interaction with Daylight

Schools typically have significant window areas. Good lighting design works with daylight, not against it.

Strategies:

• Position fittings to supplement daylight rather than compete
• Install daylight sensors to dim artificial lighting when natural light is adequate
• Zone controls so window-side fittings operate independently

Vertical Illumination

Teachers work at whiteboards and displays. Students look at screens and wall-mounted materials. Adequate vertical illumination matters.

Design should provide good light on vertical surfaces, not just horizontal desks.

Colour Rendering

Art rooms need excellent colour rendering (CRI 95+). General classrooms can function with CRI 80, but CRI 90 is preferable.

Flexibility

Classrooms get reconfigured. Furniture moves. Teaching styles change. Lighting that only works for one configuration is limiting.

Uniform lighting across the space provides flexibility. Task lighting at specific locations supplements as needed.

Space-Specific Guidance

Standard Classrooms

Recessed LED panels are the workhouse of classroom lighting. A typical room (8m x 8m) might use:

• 6-9 LED panels (600x600 or 1200x300)
• Uniform layout for flexible furniture arrangements
• Zone switching or dimming for AV presentations
• Whiteboard lighting if required

Science Labs

Similar to classrooms, but with considerations for:

• Fume cupboard lighting (often integral)
• Demonstration benches needing vertical illumination
• Emergency lighting for safe evacuation

Libraries

Libraries have zones: stacks, reading areas, computer areas, quiet study.

• Stack aisles need vertical illumination on book spines
• Reading areas need comfortable, glare-free general lighting
• Computer areas may need lower ambient levels
• Quiet study spaces benefit from individual control

Gymnasiums and Sports Halls

High-output, robust fittings. Key considerations:

• Ball strike resistance (specify appropriate IK rating)
• Mounting height (often 8-12m or higher)
• Switching for different uses (sports, assemblies, exams)
• Emergency lighting requirements

Lecture Theatres

Complex spaces with multiple requirements:

• General lighting for entry/exit
• Presentation lighting (dimmed) for screen viewing
• Speaker lighting for presenters
• Control integration with AV systems

Often requires a proper lighting design, not just a standard layout.

The Budget Reality

Education funding is constrained. Every dollar matters.

Cost-saving strategies:

• Prioritise high-use spaces (classrooms used all day before corridors used intermittently)
• Stage projects (Term 4 holidays are good for classroom work)
• Use rebate programs (ESS/VEET can significantly reduce net costs)
• Consider operational savings in business cases (show administrators the payback)

The Rebate Opportunity

Schools and universities are excellent candidates for energy efficiency rebates:

• High operating hours during term
• Often aging, inefficient existing lighting
• Clear documentation for certificate claims
• Public sector can demonstrate value to taxpayers

I’ve seen school projects where rebates covered 40-50% of costs. That transforms the budget equation.

Working in Educational Environments

Installing in schools requires planning around:

Occupied building constraints:

• Work during holidays or after hours
• Secure sites (sign in/out, working with children checks)
• Coordinate with school administration
• Minimise disruption to teaching

Dust and mess:

• Ceiling work creates dust
• Classrooms need to be usable the next day
• Protect furniture and equipment
• Clean thoroughly after work

Safety:

• Students are curious (and sometimes climb on things)
• Secure work areas properly
• Don’t leave equipment accessible

Smart Lighting in Education

Advanced lighting controls in education can provide:

• Daylight harvesting: Automatic dimming saves energy
• Scene presets: “Presentation mode,” “exam mode,” “cleaning mode”
• Scheduling: Lights off in unoccupied rooms
• Reporting: Energy data for sustainability reporting

For larger education estates (universities, TAFE campuses), centralised lighting management makes sense. The complexity justifies the investment.

For smaller schools, simpler controls (occupancy sensors, time clocks, basic dimming) often provide enough benefit without excessive complexity.

Making the Case

For education facilities, the business case for LED lighting includes:

1. Energy savings: Real, measurable, ongoing
2. Maintenance reduction: LEDs last longer, fewer lamp changes
3. Learning environment improvement: Better light quality for students
4. Rebate funding: Reduces upfront capital requirement
5. Sustainability: Supports environmental education goals

Present the full picture, not just the energy numbers. Education administrators care about student outcomes, not just operating costs.

Good lighting is an investment in education quality.