New flexible sensory learning space
Published on: 05/03/25
After significant water damage to the school's soft play room back in November, we had the opportunity to rethink the space’s design. The original setup was well-used but limited in capacity and in providing cause-and-effect experiences for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
To better meet the needs of our students, we decided to transform the space into a flexible, sensory-inclusive environment that could support larger groups, while still offering the sensory feedback the original setup provided.
The new room draws inspiration from the evolution of sensory spaces, which have increasingly incorporated advanced technology. While calming sensory rooms were originally the go-to solution, we aimed to create a space that balances calming features with interactive, controlled sensory input. These rooms, which are ideal for children with PMLD, and other special educational needs and disability needs, are designed to reduce sensory overload and help users manage their emotions, stress, and own movement. The goal was to allow students to regulate sensory input, creating a tailored environment to meet their specific needs.
In collaboration with a sensory-inclusive company, the room has been redesigned to facilitate learning across various interventions. It features a large soft flooring area, providing a space where groups of young people can engage outside their wheelchairs in a relaxing, controllable environment. Interactive elements, such as voice recognition and movement-sensitive equipment that changes colours, enhance the sensory experience. LED mood lighting, bubble tubes, effect projectors, and relaxing background music all work together to create a peaceful atmosphere, allowing students to control and engage with their surroundings.
In just a few short months, the space has already made a difference to the learning experiences of our students.
“This newly adapted space has made a significant impact on our yoga sessions, particularly for one-on-one sessions. We now have a calm, welcoming environment that’s perfectly suited for these sessions, providing children and young people with the ideal setting for a positive, meaningful experience”. Specialist Yoga Teaching Assistant.
“In music therapy, the priority is to give the young people the agency over their environment and the choice of different ways of expressing themselves. The soft play offers an immersive environmental experience where the young people can move towards or away from instruments of their choosing, and the option to use the sound-activated lights. This gives them more control and more potential to feel safe in the therapeutic relationship, therefore deepening the impact of our work.” School Music Therapist.
