Case Study: Sensory Rooms at Lisneal College

Introduction

At Creative Activity, we are dedicated to designing and installing cutting-edge sensory solutions that cater to the unique needs of students with special educational requirements. Our mission is to create environments that promote relaxation, sensory stimulation, and overall well-being. Recently, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Lisneal College to install two Multi-Sensory Rooms and a Sensory Movement Room. These spaces have quickly become invaluable resources, providing students with much-needed tranquility and sensory engagement within their busy school environment.

Background

Lisneal College, located in Northern Ireland is dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs. The school currently has a total of 121 pupils with statements of special educational needs and has four specialist provisions: two for learning and two for social communication. Karen McAvoy, the Learning Support Coordinator at Lisneal College, oversees the learning support department and ensures that the needs of these students are met.

Challenges

Before our intervention, Lisneal College had a very small sensory room that they had outfitted themselves with limited resources and with some support from Creative Activity. However, with the increasing number of students requiring sensory support and the completion of new building work within the department, the school had the opportunity to create more sensory spaces.

The primary challenges included:

• The need to support a growing number of students with special educational needs.
• The requirement for more than one sensory room to cater to the diverse needs of students and provide them with breaks from the busy school environment.
• A uniquely shaped, small space designated for the Sensory Movement Room, which required careful planning and innovative design solutions. 

Solution

To address the challenges faced by Lisneal College, Creative Activity designed and installed two Multi-Sensory Rooms and a Sensory Movement Room, tailored to meet the diverse needs of the students. These rooms provide calming, engaging environments where students can take a break from their busy school day, offering both relaxation and sensory stimulation.

Sensory Movement Room:

Despite the challenges posed by the small space, we introduced innovative sensory movement solutions that encourage physical activity and sensory engagement.
Collaboration with the school's staff ensured that the space was utilised effectively, providing a dynamic environment for sensory exploration.

By incorporating a range of sensory experiences, these rooms support the development of sensory profiles for each student, helping teachers tailor their approach to individual needs. The installation of these sensory rooms has significantly enhanced the educational experience for students at Lisneal College, providing them with spaces that cater to their specific sensory requirements. Karen appreciated the innovative ideas and solutions that Kieran provided, which she hadn't previously considered.

x2 Multi-Sensory Rooms:

These rooms are equipped with a variety of sensory tools that allow students to explore different sensory experiences, promoting relaxation and engagement.
The design of the rooms encourages students to immerse themselves in a calming atmosphere that supports their emotional and sensory needs.

Working in close collaboration with Creative Activity, Karen and her team planned every detail of the sensory installation. The process involved:

• Site Assessment: Careful evaluation of potential locations to find an optimal space that would cause minimal disruption during installation.
• Collaborative Planning: Continuous communication with staff to coordinate the installation process.
• Custom Design: Crafting a sensory room tailored to the specific needs of the students, incorporating calming and stimulating sensory equipment.

Impact

The new sensory rooms have had a significant positive impact on both students and staff at Lisneal College. The students now have access to environments where they can relax, receive sensory stimulation, and have their individual needs met. The introduction of a timetabling system ensures that more students can benefit from these rooms regularly.

Teachers have found that these sensory environments help in developing sensory profiles for each student, tailoring support to their specific needs. Karen McAvoy expressed her satisfaction with Creative Activity's services, highlighting our hands-on approach and exceptional technological support. She strongly recommends our company, emphasizing the transformative impact of sensory equipment on the educational experience of pupils at Lisneal College.