Supporting a UK school with a new sensory room
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, located in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, serves a community that faces various challenges. Determined to create a supportive and inclusive environment, the school wanted to be able to add a sensory room to their facility, a dedicated space where children, especially those who are neuro-diverse or have Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), could find calm and focus. The vision for this sensory room was to be more than just a quiet area; it would be a vital resource to help students manage feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, fostering their success both in school and within the wider community.
With the help of funding from The Smurfit Kappa Foundation, the school was able to bring this vision to life. They transformed an outdated computer suite into a modern sensory room, providing a safe place for students needing extra support with their emotional regulation and learning. This new hub has become an essential part of the school’s approach to supporting children who are neuro-diverse, those who have experienced adversity, and students struggling academically. In addition to creating the sensory room, The Foundation also equipped the school with 15 laptops and 15 iPads. With the loss of their existing computer room to facilitate the new sensory room, this technology allowed computer learning to be integrated into classrooms, making learning more accessible and engaging for all students.
The impact of these new facilities has been profound. Students who use the sensory room show noticeable improvements in their well-being and emotional regulation from the moment they enter the space. The room's calming environment has also had a positive effect on the staff, who can now better tailor learning experiences to meet individual needs. Custom learning timetables have been developed for children with neuro-diverse traits such as ADHD and autism, ensuring they have regular opportunities to self-regulate throughout the day. Additionally, the introduction of new technology in the classrooms has significantly enhanced the learning experience, helping to deepen students' understanding and engagement.
The response from the children has been overwhelmingly positive. They describe the sensory room as a place that makes them happy, where they can escape and reset from the pressures of school life. However, it’s more than just an escape—it’s a space where students are learning crucial self-regulation techniques that will serve them throughout their lives. The combination of a calming environment and sensory experiences is helping these children build resilience and develop essential life skills in a fun and supportive way.
The new sensory room and technology resources represent a significant step forward in creating an inclusive and nurturing environment at Our Lady's Primary School. With the support of The Smurfit Kappa Foundation, the school has not only enhanced the educational experience but also made a lasting impact on the wellbeing of its students.