A new school designed around the needs of children with autism and learning difficulties has opened its doors in Leeds.
Armley Grange School, which has provision for 40 children and young people up to the age of 19, hopes to create a learning environment based on structure and sensory needs.
The historic building has been refurbished to create classrooms and spaces with an autism specific colour scheme, quiet reflective areas, and a variety of multi-sensory indoor and outdoor spaces.
From trips to the supermarket to exploring the deep sea, the digital immersion room gives pupils the chance to experience things through touch, sight and sound.
It is hoped the room will help introduce children to new situations, such as going on public transport from the comfort and safety of school to prepare them for a real-life trip.
Pupils from the Bradford district are among Armley Grange School’s new community.
Headteacher April Boyd said the new school will address the shortage of places available to autistic children in West Yorkshire.
She said: “Along with our rich and varied curriculum, we focus on developing core life-skills - communication and social ability, sensory processing and emotional regulation – so our pupils can be as independent as possible.”
The school is run by Options Autism.
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