New sensory experiences for children with unique needs

Fund transforms education for local children

15th May 2022 - Community investment | Hinkley Connection news

Pupils at Ravenswood School have benefitted from the Hinkley Connection Project Education Fund, which supported them with much-needed funding for a sensory room upgrade.

Based in Nailsea, Ravenswood School enables local children with complex learning needs to flourish. A £18,050 grant from National Grid helped the school to take their sensory room to the next level.

Every pupil at Ravenswood has unique needs and an individually-tailored curriculum; the sensory room plays a crucial role in their progress. Over the years, use of the room had started to take its toll, and it had become outdated and in need of a refresh. The funding helped the school fund the upgrades to this greatly needed resource.

The Discovery Room, as it is known, is a state-of-the-art, interactive and immersive sensory room. Equipped with a high-quality sound system, touch-sensitive walls and projectors, this room provides a stimulating educational environment for their pupils. It harnesses the power of digital media to create different themes, helping students learn by bringing their curriculums to life.

It’s an incredible resource, and the scope of learning is endless.

They can learn about what it was like to land on the Normandy beaches in World War Two one minute and experience the sights and smells of the London underground the next. It also creates simple cause and effect games for younger pupils, providing a fun way of developing communication skills. As it is suitable for all ages, the school has opted to make the space available to local nurseries and primary schools.

Mark Senior, Head Teacher at Ravenswood School, commented: “The Discovery Room takes the sensory experience for our pupils to the next level. It’s an incredible resource, and the scope of learning is endless.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to National Grid. You have transformed education for so many.”

Jonathan Richardson, Corporate Social Responsibility officer for the Hinkley Connection Project, added: “We’re delighted to see what a difference the funding has made for these students – helping them thrive by bringing subjects to life.”