Yorkshire Creatives Launch Safety Signs for Primary Schools

A print house and creative agency that provides branding, content and print campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands in the music and hospitality industry has re-directed its talents to help primary school children to feel safe as they return to school during Covid-19.

FYI, which has bases in Sheffield and Leeds, has designed bespoke safe distancing signage that aims to engage young minds and hearts.

FYI’s regular clients are drinks companies, festivals and hospitality industry including Red Bull, Heineken and Live Nation, but Dave Crapper, a Director at FYI, was inspired by his 7-year-old son Oliver to pivot overnight from providing print for the ‘enjoyment industry’ to help the education sector.

Dave said “I received a general email from my son’s Headteacher at Holt House Infant School in Sheffield and it was clear that there were a lot of hoops schools had to jump through to reopen. We instantly offered to donate signage to Holt House and partner school, Carterknowle Junior School, to alleviate one of many stresses they were faced with. It was at that point we realised that normal adult signage just wouldn’t cut it.”

FYI were already working on an aesthetically pleasing signage range for clients when they realised little was being done to engage younger children in schools. Having worked with a Health and Safety consultant, and with feedback from a child psychologist, their team created a series of animated characters designed to engage children without frightening them.

The range went from idea to installation in school within a few days.  Mrs Gaynor Tyrrell (pictured), Federation Business Manager at Holt House and Carterknowle Junior School, said: “The signs are brilliant. Because they’re designed specifically for our children’s age group, they’re so much more engaging than standard signs and we can use them to really increase the children’s understanding of the new guidelines in a positive way.”

Mrs Helen Hanyes, Head Teacher at the schools added: “I’m so impressed with the signs, they’re brilliant and beyond expectation. Thank you for all your work and support.”

The signage is now available for schools to buy across the UK and can be printed and delivered in hours to meet demand.

Dave said: “We had one comment on Facebook that said how much they loved the idea after seeing scary red and white tape marking areas in schools. The comment said ‘let’s raise happy children and help kids feel safe’, that’s the kind of impact we want to have. In times like these I think it’s essential for businesses to pivot commercially whilst supporting their local community, we’d love to work with more people that share this outlook.”

Photos show: Dave Crapper, his son Oli, and Gaynor Tyrell