From staffrooms to IT suites, the right surface material can make a difference. No matter the subject area or part of the school, it’s important to select a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing worktop that is perfect for a busy educational environment.

Here at BOYCO, we have over 60 years of expertise in projects across the UK and want to offer our guide to the best worktops for schools for your upcoming project… 

Benefits of the Right Worktop  

1. Durability  

A quality worktop provides longevity for laboratory benching and desks, ensuring that it’s fit for purpose for many years to come.  

1. Functionality 

Each space in a school has specific needs, so it’s crucial that the right worktop matches with the correct subject area. A great example is in Food Technology classrooms, the surface needs to be easy to clean and support daily student cooking activities.  

1. Aesthetics 

For students, teachers, and support staff, a welcoming and comfortable space can enhance a learning environment. Using contrasting colours is a great way to do this, such as a PVC lip in a bright yellow or green, as it engages students and inspires creativity. This is essential in subjects such as Art or English.  

1. Safety  

A top priority for any school, the safety of all can be enhanced with the right worktop. In science laboratories, various chemicals and equipment are often used, so the workstation’s surface material must withstand this to ensure a safe learning environment.  

Types of Worktops for Schools 

Waterfall™ – Anti-Drip Bullnosed Laminate Worktop

Designed specifically with anti-drip technology, BOYCO’s waterfall laminate worktops have been manufactured from 25mm premium moisture-resistant MDF at their core. They feature a PU upstand and curved bullnose and can hold up to 10 litres of water on their surface. This worktop is a great choice for primary school wet play or resource areas, where spills and accidents are common in learning activities.  

Technotop™ – Bullnosed Laminate Worktop

A durable laminate surface, these also come with a bullnosed edge made from PU. This provides durability to the worktops due to the laminate core being less exposed, protecting against accidental impact, scrapes, or scratches. The edge boosts the overall aesthetic, with a selection of bright colours to choose from to contrast the laminate top.  

Econotop™ – PVC Edged Laminate Worktop

Manufactured from 25mm laminated and balanced MDF, these worktops feature an all-round 2mm PVC edging. Either matching or contrasting the surface, the edging provides added protection, making it suitable for general-purpose areas which require a robust worktop.  

Postformed Worktop

A popular worktop for schools, the postformed worktop is slightly thicker than traditional alternatives. Made from 40mm MFC, this is also edged with a strip matching the chosen colour of the laminate. Perfect for high-traffic areas, the extra thickness gives it resilience against activities such as food preparation, as it can withstand more weight than thinner worktops. Team BOYCO used this in our project at Cedar Mount Academy, for their food technology classroom. 

Trespa Top™ – Heavy Duty SGL Worktop

A solid-grade laminate worktop, this has been designed for superior durability. Highly resistant to chemicals, heat, and impact, it’s most often used in areas of the school where surface support is needed, and equipment such as Bunsen burners are used daily. It also stops the growth of bacteria and is easy to clean, making it perfect for supporting a school’s health and safety practices.  

What to Consider When Selecting School Worktops 

Do worktops stain easily?

Most worktops are resistant to spills and stains from daily use. However, the type of area that it will be installed in needs to be considered. A great example of this is solid wood worktops. Although the surface can be treated, we would not recommend having them installed in secondary school or university science laboratories as harsh chemicals are often used which would damage the wooden surface.  

Which worktop is the most hard-wearing?

Solid Grade Laminate is the most hard-wearing from BOYCO’s range. As previously mentioned, they are used in science laboratories and other areas due to them being a high-performing worktop for demanding environments. This is because it consists of a single solid material, preventing moisture and other liquids from seeping into the core. A great example of this is in our project at The Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow.  

Which worktop would you recommend in a high traffic area?

In standard school spaces that don’t have special requirements, we would recommend Econotop worktops for normal high-traffic areas such as classrooms and kitchenettes.  

Versatile in design due to the worktop and PVC lip being available in a range of colours, this worktop also protects against daily wear and tear thanks to its high-density chipboard core which is then laminated to offer an additional layer of durability.  

For a secondary school food technology room, university science laboratory, or primary school resource area project, selecting the correct worktop can support and create a comfortable learning experience for both students and staff. 

Want to learn more about BOYCO’s market-leading worktops? Discover the full range here.  

Working on a project? Get in touch with our friendly team here.