The UK government’s recent announcement of £740 million in funding to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools has been welcomed as a significant step forward. This funding, part of a larger £6.7 billion education budget, aims to increase accessibility in school buildings and create a more inclusive learning environment.
Beyond physical adaptations such as accessible bathrooms and handrails, this investment opens doors to innovative solutions like sensory rooms and immersive, interactive environments, which are increasingly recognised for their transformative benefits in supporting SEND pupils.
Why Sensory Rooms Matter in Mainstream Education
Sensory rooms provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to explore, self-regulate, and thrive. They help address sensory processing challenges and create calming spaces for students to de-escalate during stressful moments. At Experia, we specialise in designing multisensory environments that not only support the unique needs of each student but also incorporate cutting-edge technologies like immersive reality solutions.
Here are just some of the benefits sensory rooms bring to schools:
How Experia Goes Further
Unlike many providers, we manufacture our equipment in the UK, which allows us to create bespoke solutions perfectly tailored to your space and requirements. Additionally, our immersive reality solutions take sensory rooms to the next level, offering interactive, adaptable environments that enhance engagement and learning experiences.
Our expertise spans a variety of environments, including schools, hospitals, and care settings. For instance, at Polden Bower School in Somerset, we installed a range of innovative sensory solutions, including an immersive space, a sensory room, and a soft play area. These environments were carefully designed to support the school’s 160 students with complex needs.
Helen Farnell, Executive Headteacher at Polden Bower, described our service as “First Class!” and highlighted the collaborative approach we take: “We talked openly to the team at Experia about the use of the space and the experiences we wanted to create. They actively listened and worked with us to create the best.”
A Bright Future for SEND Support
As part of this funding boost, schools now have greater opportunities to implement transformative solutions for their SEND pupils. At Experia, we are committed to helping schools make the most of this moment by offering tailored sensory and immersive solutions that empower students to reach their potential.
If you’re interested in learning how a bespoke sensory environment could benefit your school, why not reach out to us? We’d be delighted to discuss how we can help create a space that truly supports your students’ needs.
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