A TOWN school has launched a new facility for pupils.

Malvern Link’s St Matthias CE Primary School welcomed Malvern Rotary Club president Bruce Banister-Harding to the official opening of its new sensory room.

The club gifted a generous donation to build and create the facility in response to rising special educational needs and pupils with increasing sensory needs identified by SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) Lauren Joyce.

Rotarian Sue Copsey approached St Matthias a few months ago, offering the idea of a project to support.

The school shared why the sensory room was important, how it would be created and most importantly the impact and difference it would make to the children.

St Matthias is always looking at creative ways to be inclusive and responding to the needs of all its learners so the club were keen to find out more.

Mrs Joyce had been designing a project to convert an unused corner of the school and transform it into a calm sensory room.

The area needed to be a quiet and calming space to support a child’s sensory preferences and needs which allows for self-regulation.

Thanks to this wonderful opportunity through the rotary club, the disused space has now been developed into a multi-sensory environment.

It contains a wide range of sensory equipment, including bubbles tubes, mood lighting, fibre optics, light projectors, soothing sounds and music, tactile resources and light up floor tiles.

Headteacher Ginnie Beale said: “The school environment can be an overwhelming space for many children with additional needs and, by having a safe space in school where sensory equipment can engage a child’s senses in an enjoyable way helping them to focus, calm and relax, a child can then be ready for their learning and classroom interaction.

“The sensory room has already made a difference to many children.

“At St Matthias, our vision is to ensure that all children flourish academically and socially in an inclusive way, adapting to the needs of the children.

“We have already seen the positive impact that having a sensory room at school has for our children and we are incredibly grateful to Malvern Rotary Club for supporting our school and this development.”

Having tried out the sensory room following its opening, Mr Banister-Harding said: “We are pleased to be supporting the community and, in particular, the provision of the sensory room for St Matthias School.

“It’s evident that this tool can really support the children and help create a better learning experience for them.”