New sensory room at Westbourne Primary School is a huge hit

The Sensory Den at Westbourne Primary School in Skinner Lane, Manningham - part of The Priestley Academy Trust - also includes an infinity tunnel, rocking roller and much more.

Surrounded by mirrors, the reflections of the light-up bubble tube go on and on.

Children love the glittering columns of light

“We find many of the children engage with it as the bubbles change colour and the tube vibrates,” says the school’s inclusion manager Becky Fowles.

“This tube, along with our fibre optics can all be controlled by switches, which not only support colour recognition but cause and effect and colour mixing."

The sensory resources stretch and develop children. “We have the light up ball pool which envelops the children. One of the boys said ‘It feels like the balls are hugging you'.”

Pupils use a light box

She adds: “Many of the pieces of equipment are visual, but we also have a full body rocker and two vibrating bumpers on the wall that vibrate when pushed.

“The movement-based resources have worked wonders to allow some of our children to regulate when in times of crisis.”

The Sensory Den - which will be used by children aged between two and 11 - is on the ground floor to allow access for all. It is a half-and-half room so children can engage both in sensory play and messy play.

Enjoying the ball pool

It has been funded by the school to ensure that all of the children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum.

“The Sensory Den is a place where every child can succeed and learn in a way that they may never have experienced before,” says Becky.

“It is a space where a child who doesn’t talk can laugh and cheer, a space where a child who struggles in a whole class setting can thrive, a space where staff can witness a complete change of a child simply by turning off the main lights and allowing a child to explore”.

Exploring a light box

Deputy headteacher Robin Cusdin says: “To see the happiness on our children’s faces when they get to use this outstanding resource is priceless”.

The children at Westbourne Primary School will be able to use the den at different times of the day and it will be open to the toddlers’ group on a Thursday morning.

Parents can book a session with their child from 3pm to 3.30pm.

In the ball pool

The wipeable floor has already allowed the staff to introduce messy play.

The children have been able to experience Orbeez, paint, sand and water in a calm one-to-one environment.

Staff have used this to develop fine motor skills, instruction following, turn-taking and developing social interactions when accessing the space with peers.

When asked about what they like about the sensory room, one of the children said: “It is calm. It helps me think when my brain feels fuzzy.”

Another commented: “I love everything in the room, especially the ball pool. I love how I sink to the bottom.”

Parents have already commented positively on the changes they have seen in their child after using the new facility and how much they have enjoyed investigating this exciting new environment.