Hazel Court Community Specialist School Transforms Sensory Room with Sensory Guru

Hazel Court Community Specialist School partnered with Sensory Guru to transform their outdated Sensory Room into a cutting-edge, immersive space tailored to their learners' diverse needs. The newly designed room, affectionately named The Discovery Room by students, has become a hub for exploration, learning, and personal growth.

The Vision for the Discovery Room

Katherine Lewis, Specialist Communication Teaching Assistant at Hazel Court, reflects on the collaboration:

"It felt like a really natural, organic process, and we are really happy with the results."

The original Sensory Room, built 20 years ago, no longer met the needs of the students. The static equipment was often inaccessible, outdated, and uninspiring for learners accustomed to modern technology. The staff envisioned a space that was:

• Flexible and scalable to accommodate diverse sensory needs.
• Immersive to enrich teaching across subjects, such as history and geography.
• Accessible for all students, including those who are wheelchair users or have complex sensory needs.
• Durable and adaptable to withstand regular use and evolving needs.

Transformative Features of the Discovery Room

The Sensory Guru team delivered a versatile, technology-driven space equipped with innovative tools like the Magic Carpet, Magic Mirror, and Optibeam. Key benefits include:

1. Personalisation for Diverse Needs

The room begins as a blank canvas, allowing staff to tailor it to each learner’s preferences:

• For sensory-sensitive students: Create calming, quiet environments.
• For highly stimulated learners: Engage with dynamic visuals and sounds.
• Leadership opportunities: Students lead yoga sessions, direct music activities, and make collaborative decisions.

"You can make the space into something different every time. You can also personalize it to the learner’s needs, whether that’s a calming yoga session or a high-energy funk jam."

2. Fostering Social Skills and Independence

The interactive environment encourages teamwork, cooperation, and communication:

• Students practice turn-taking, sharing, and decision-making.
• Staff step back, allowing learners to take on leadership roles and organize their own activities.

3. Immersive Learning Experiences

The Discovery Room enhances curriculum delivery through immersive simulations:

• A World War II lesson transforms into an experience of The Blitz.
• A geography session places students in a cornfield, seaside, or woodland setting.
• On Remembrance Day, students experienced a cornfield with poppies, birdsong, and a Magic Carpet display.

"It’s like having hundreds of Sensory Rooms in one. The versatility means it can be whatever we need it to be."

Success Stories

1. Engaging Reluctant Learners

One student, initially hesitant to engage with new sensory activities, discovered a love for the paint splatter app on the Magic Carpet. This breakthrough encouraged him to explore other interactive elements, gradually expanding his comfort zone.

2. Supporting Physical Development

A student with severe physical difficulties uses the Magic Mirror to achieve bilateral reaching goals, demonstrating the room’s therapeutic potential.

3. Enabling New Experiences

For learners with profound physical disabilities, assistive technology solutions from Sensory Guru allow interaction even in unconventional ways, such as projecting images onto fabric held above their heads.

Community and Fundraising Benefits

The Discovery Room has become a community asset, hosting activities for local groups outside school hours. This expanded use enabled Hazel Court to secure funding from charities by showcasing the room’s broader community impact.

"Sensory Guru even let us trial the technology with a small group of learners, and we included photos in our fundraising bid. The images highlighted how the Discovery Room could enhance learning, personal growth, and self-regulation."

Advice for Other Schools

Katherine offers practical tips for schools considering a sensory room redesign:

1. Think creatively: Explore unconventional uses, such as storytelling with calming visuals or immersive holiday-themed activities.
2. Focus on versatility: Choose technology that offers regular updates and evolves with your needs.
3. Engage the community: Open the space for wider use to increase funding opportunities.

Why Sensory Guru?

Hazel Court chose Sensory Guru for their innovative approach and cutting-edge technology:

"Other companies seemed to cobble old products together. Sensory Guru offered something entirely new, with exciting updates like the Magic Carpet App Store."

The Discovery Room: A Room of Requirement

Katherine sums up the transformation:

"I think of it as the Room of Requirement. For those who’ve read Harry Potter, it’s a great analogy — you can open the door, and it can be anything!"

Ready to create your own sensory space? Contact Sensory Guru today to explore how their solutions can meet your needs. Learn more through our case studies and discover how immersive learning can transform education.

Visit Sensory Guru for more information or to schedule a demonstration. For SEND guidance, see the SEND Code of Practice or review OFSTED standards.