Heathfield Primary School in Darlington invited the mayor Tom Nutt and mayoress and wife Gill to perform the honours, officially opening the sensory room, dubbed the Garden by children because it is fitted with synthetic grass.
The school decided to convert a library into a sensory room in response to growing demand for facilities as it caters for more children than ever with special educational needs and disabilities.
A host of special equipment designed to stimulate the senses including hearing, vision and touch, has been installed to help children access the curriculum.
Assistant head teacher Sue Wilson, who specialises in SEN, said: “This year we have a large cohort of children who have been identified as having complex needs and the sensory ‘garden’ will really help with their learning.
“There is greater understanding and awareness of children with special needs and disabilities and this latest facility at Heathfield is a creative way of addressing increased demand that is stretching existing resources in the town.
“As a school we have always been great believers in inclusion and we have some great staff with the drive and passion to provide a unique primary learning resource. As soon as the children saw the synthetic grass they told us they wanted to call the room the Garden, so that it what we have done.
“The room will be accessed by not only early years pupils but all age ranges to stimulate imagination, oracy skills and creative writing. ”
