Charlton Park Academy in South East London has redefined inclusive education through its collaboration with Sensory Guru. By integrating the Magic Room system into 32 classrooms, the academy has created immersive, sensory-rich environments tailored to the unique needs of students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), and autism spectrum conditions (ASC).

A Vision for Inclusive Learning

Under the leadership of Principal Mark Dale-Emberton, Charlton Park Academy has committed to providing high-quality teaching environments for all students. Recognizing the importance of adaptable and inclusive spaces, the school has worked closely with Sensory Guru to:

• Transform classrooms into sensory-friendly learning environments.
• Embed assistive technologies to support diverse communication and learning needs.
• Standardize resources across the school for consistency and accessibility.

“Every student deserves access to engaging and innovative learning experiences,” says Mr. Dale-Emberton. “The Magic Room has been pivotal in achieving this vision.”

Magic Room in Action

The Magic Room system has revolutionized the classroom experience by:

• Supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices such as iPads, switches, speech, and eye gaze.
• Enabling immersive learning with customizable projections, sounds, and interactive tools.
• Facilitating collaborative learning, where students take leadership roles in activities and make decisions independently.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Tailored Learning Experiences

The Magic Room allows educators to design lessons that cater to individual student needs. Teachers use speech commands to access resources instantly, while students interact with the environment using various input methods.

• Engagement: Pupils respond to stimuli like personalized photos or favorite characters, fostering active participation.
• Customizability: Features like content layering allow educators to tailor lessons to students’ attentional capacities.

2. Meeting Sensory Needs

Charlton Park Academy invested in blackout provisions and multisensory setups to accommodate students with sensory sensitivities or Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).

“The virtual aquarium is a favorite—students track dolphins projected onto ceilings, enhancing their visual attention and engagement,” shares Karen Panter, a PMLD teacher.

3. Inclusive Interaction Options

Magic Room supports a wide range of input methods, including:

• Switches and touch devices.
• Speech and vocalizations.
• Eye gaze and breath controls.

This inclusivity ensures all students, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully in lessons.

Success Stories

1. Progress in Communication

A Year 7 student who initially struggled with screen engagement now interacts with apps like Magic Carpet’s paint splatter activity. This breakthrough has extended his engagement beyond the classroom, significantly enhancing his learning experience.

2. Multisensory Therapy

Students use the system for physiotherapy and relaxation, with music and sound effects tailored to their needs. Teachers observe improved responses and social interactions during these sessions.

3. Creative Immersion

On Remembrance Day, the Magic Room transformed into a cornfield with birdsong and poppies, allowing students to experience a reflective moment during the minute’s silence.

“The versatility of the Magic Room lets us create hundreds of learning environments in one space,” says Ms. Panter. “It’s like having a Room of Requirement.”

A Collaborative Rollout

Charlton Park Academy implemented the Magic Room system in three phases, beginning with six PMLD classrooms in late 2021 and expanding to include ASC and other learning spaces. This phased approach allowed teachers to adapt at their own pace, supported by assistive technologists and Sensory Guru.

Empowering Educators and Students

The introduction of Magic Room has made teaching more dynamic and rewarding. Teachers report:

• Greater ease in lesson delivery.
• Enhanced student engagement and participation.
• Opportunities for continuous assessment and adaptation.

“The Magic Room has been a game-changer for our pupils,” says teacher Bryher Pennells. “I’ve never been more excited about teaching.”

Ongoing Innovation

Sensory Guru continues to refine the Magic Room system based on feedback, introducing features like:

• Toolbar Systems: Tools for schedules, communication boards, and visual timers, all accessible via voice commands.
• Content Updates: Regularly added apps, ensuring the system evolves with educational needs.

A Model for Inclusive Education

Charlton Park Academy is eager to share its experiences and collaborate with other schools to make the Magic Room system accessible to more learners.

“It’s often the pupil with the quietest voice who makes the biggest impact,” says Ms. Pennells. “Magic Room gives them that voice.”

Explore the Future of Learning

Charlton Park Academy’s partnership with Sensory Guru demonstrates the transformative potential of immersive, inclusive learning technologies.

Would you like to see how the Magic Room can revolutionize your learning environment?

• Visit Sensory Guru’s demonstration suite in East Sussex.
• Arrange an in-house workshop to explore the system with your learners.

Learn more at www.sensoryguru.com or contact us at info@sensoryguru.co.uk to start your journey toward inclusive education.