Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School unveils its new sensory room

A former storage cupboard’s transformation will help benefit the overall wellbeing of children in our area.

A new calming sensory room was recently launched at Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School.

The room was created to support pupils who struggle with sensory regulation, mental health and managing their emotions.

Children can be immersed by the different sights, sounds and smells, to help stimulate the use of all five senses.

The room includes a bubble tube which uses different colour simulations and patterns to encourage visual development, calmness, communication and much more.

It can also be used to help breathing control for anxiety and managing overwhelming feelings.

The different fibreoptics provide relaxing lights and textures for the children to touch. A sound panel includes the sound of whales, rain, birds and more.

The sensory room also has a projector with different themes, LED strip lighting, textured sensory wall with UV light and musical chimes.

The school received donations from the Cowley Trust and East Midlands Railway Community Fund.

Headteacher Sophie Foston said: “Without Cowley Trust it would not have been possible.”

She added: “We are so happy with the results, its very unique.”

The sensory room aims to use calming regulation to get the children ready to learn and can help up to three pupils at a time.

This space creates an environment for children to learn about self regulating their behaviours, which will improve their focus in school.

Sensory rooms can also support improving concentration, vocabulary development, creativity and motor skills.

Teachers are currently working on developing timetables for the children to have sessions during their time in school.

The sensory room is one of the three projects the primary school are set to launch in the future - with more investment to follow.