Modular Sensory Rooms for Schools: A Simple Solution from RISE (2024)

Stimulating senses for all ages & abilities.

Modular builds or adaptations.

Sensory rooms for schools

Our sensory rooms are a perfect addition for education providers looking for enhanced ways to assist learning. Whether we install a new modular facility or adapt and existing space, we provide users with a refuge to escape, and the potential to avoid crisis and meltdown events.

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Getting Ready For New National Standards

It’s fair to say that SEND provision in England is bracing itself for some challenging changes over the next few years. With central government pushing forward with plans for a new set of National Standards for SEND, mainstream settings are more than likely going to be asked to do even more to support their students with SEND.

In preparing for these changes, it’s worth reviewing your existing SEND provision and asking how well it’s serving both your current pupils and those whom you’ll welcome in the coming years. With around 1 in 7 people now being considered neurodivergent, it may be worth considering the installation of a sensory space – both to ensure your pupils are being given the best opportunity possible to thrive in what can be a challenging environment and to get ahead of the curve when it comes to meeting any facilities requirements that might be in the new Standards.

RISE can offer two potential solutions:

  • A permanent modular pod similar to a mobile classroom, constructed offsite that can be placed nearly anywhere you have space on your campus with minimal disruption, or
  • An internal adaptation of a room into a fully-featured sensory experience.


Our base models feature a sensory journey that we know your pupils – and staff – will adore, and there’s plenty of options for additional customisation should you wish to expand or change our starting spec.

Modular Sensory Rooms for Schools: A Simple Solution from RISE (1)

Modular Sensory Rooms

Our modular sensory rooms aid relaxation and enjoyment, increase sensory input, and facilitate communication and mobility.

Our specification provides a wealth of sensory equipment to engage users and is housed in a structure that’s built to last.

Each facility is constructed offsite and can be installed as a complete unit within a matter of days with minimal disruption.

Modular Sensory Rooms for Schools: A Simple Solution from RISE (2)

Standard Specification

Here is the equipment you can expect to find within our standard specification. All of which is fully installed and ready-to-go.

RGB/W colour lighting installed behind a pelmet at ceiling height to provide a colour wash to all wall surfaces. Controlled via a wall mounted face plate or handheld remote control, colours can be adjusted to provide a calming or engaging environment.

Ceiling-mounted speakers and wall mounted control panel /amplifier. Connectivity via Bluetooth, SD card, built-in FM tuner.

This has 13 unique lighting modes to engage the senses. There are also 8 different colours to visually enhance sensory and immersive spaces. Users will be delighted by the range of colours, patterns, and lighting effects. The LED tube works great with the sensory room controller. Plus, the remote is portable, making it ideal for wheelchair users.

The Sound Panel Plus is a sound reactive wall panel, that’s easy to set up straight out of the box. It has 13 different modes that light up with lots of different colours and effects. Brightness and sensitivity levels can be adjusted to ensure every user can play.

Bespoke designed vinyl covered, foam padded wall panels and furniture/seating area.

Projection has proved the foundation for many multi-sensory environments, assisting development and learning, visual tracking, and cause and effect skills. Our projection kit includes projector, wheel rotator, x3 effects wheels, mirror ball, and pin spot.

This provides a sparkling and entrancing play area suitable for children and adults alike. 125 points of light, twinkle through colours with the colour twinkle wheel fitted as standard to the light source. The fibre optic lights can help calm the irritability or anxiety often associated with autism and similar conditions.

A variety of fluid shapes, raised and recessed areas, as well as contrasting textures. Textures have been carefully chosen to offer a range of softness /hardness, smoothness /coarseness and include fabric, meal, carpet, synthetic turf and safety mirror. Useful for colour recognition, visual perception and discrimination, the panel allows different movements and use of fine motor function.

Our fibre optic tails have a ‘knotted’ effect outer sheathing, providing the extra dimension of touch to the sensory experience. They can be supplied in either a clear or a multi-coloured UV reactive sheathing.

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The specification of your sensory room can be tailored to the needs of your users. Get in touch to learn more.

Contact RISE

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If you have sufficient space, we can always adapt an existing room into a sensory space. Whether it’s an existing classroom or an old storage room, we’ll take your current space, complete any required building works, and install your choice of sensory equipment. We can supply a wide range of products, ranging from bubble tubes to projectors — if you can think of it, we probably have it!

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Increased Demand

Sensory rooms are typically seen in special schools but they’re becoming increasingly popular across all areas of education.

Practitioners are noticing that children of all ages and abilities can benefit from the stimulating or soothing effects of a sensory room, which is why we supply products right across the education sector.

That’s why you can now find sensory rooms in secondary schools and multi academy trusts, where they can be particularly helpful with managing challenging behaviour.

Primary schools choose to install sensory rooms to aid learning in a fun and stimulating environment, whilst nursery age children can also benefit from a sensory environment.

Download our sensory room product sheet.

Product Sheet

  • Adaptation, Case Study, Changing Places, Sensory

The Sudbury Hall team have enhanced their disabled provision with a new Changing Places and sensory room.

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  • Adaptation, Case Study, Sensory

Sensory Case Study: Carr Lodge Academy

We adapted an existing toilet block into a new sensory room to enhance provision at Carr Lodge Academy in Doncaster.

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  • Case Study, Modular, Sensory

Sensory Case Study: The Hesley Group

We built a new sensory room for Hesley Group to enhance provision for adults at their King Street residence in Doncaster.

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  • Case Study, Modular, Sensory

Sensory Case Study: Cherry Orchard Primary School

During lockdown, we installed a new modular sensory room to enhance provision at Cherry Orchard Primary School in Charlton.

Read More

Modular Sensory Rooms for Schools: A Simple Solution from RISE (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of a sensory room in a school? ›

A sensory space is a designated area within a school which can support a student's sensory preferences and needs. It is a space which aims to provide students with the individualised sensory input they need to self-regulate, so they can be better prepared for learning and interacting with others.

How to build a sensory room at school? ›

Below are seven tips for designing, devel- oping, and successfully opening an effective sensory room in your school:
  1. Assign, label, and promote the space. ...
  2. Use calming colors and lighting. ...
  3. Use carpet or mats to cover floors/walls. ...
  4. Add sensory/therapy room posters. ...
  5. Make sensory equipment available. ...
  6. Start slowly.

How much does it cost to build a sensory room? ›

From a few hundred to several thousand, the cost of a custom sensory room varies widely depending on several factors. The cost of building a sensory room will vary quite a bit depending on what tools, equipment, toys and furniture you'd like to include in it.

What are the guidelines for the use of sensory rooms? ›

It is more important how you use the space not what you have in it. One of the most common mistakes is to go into a sensory room and turn on every piece of equipment. This can be very over stimulating for some. If used incorrectly students can exhibit self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

What color should a sensory room be? ›

Pastel tones = Comforting, calming, supportive. Neutral tones = Similar to above. Creates a sense of wellbeing. Blue = Encourages calm, regulates the nervous system, creates a quiet and relaxing space.

What do sensory rooms help with? ›

A sensory room offers a therapeutic space for children and adults with autism and other special needs. Choices of equipment can be used to improve a variety of physical and cognitive skills. The calm environment of a sensory room may help students with behavioural difficulties.

What are sensory strategies for schools? ›

Strategies like movement breaks and wobble cushions are typically designed to help to increase alertness and focus. And, strategies like calm spaces and weighted blankets are usually suggested to help to decrease arousal and to avoid sensory overload.

How to make a sensory box for school? ›

Sensory Box Ideas
  1. Dig out an old cardboard box (a shoe box works well) and line it with colourful tissue paper.
  2. Gather a selection of toys or items from around the house that will appeal to your littlen's senses - particularly sight, sound and touch (ideas below)
  3. Pop them in the box for a sensory play surprise!
Jul 18, 2023

Should a sensory room have a window? ›

Sensory spaces also work better if they are not near windows so that the lighting can be controlled, particularly if you plan on using special lighting as part of the sensory experience.

What to include in sensory corner? ›

Items to create a Calming Sensory Corner were awarded to Mrs. Volpe to be used in her Special Education Resource Classroom. Items include mindfulness cards, calming wheels, sensory dough, books, yoga kits, weighted lap pads, breathing board, pillows, seating and a canopy.

How to create a low sensory space? ›

Here are a few easy and inexpensive ways to create a sensory space within your home.
  1. Declutter. Pick a corner or another quiet area to create a designated sensory space. ...
  2. Pick up a paintbrush. ...
  3. Get them comfortable seating. ...
  4. Adjust the lighting. ...
  5. Eliminate distracting noise. ...
  6. Create a sensory bin. ...
  7. Provide fidgets. ...
  8. Consider a chewy.
Oct 20, 2022

Should schools have a sensory room? ›

The sensory room is designed separately for every sensory-challenged child. Every sense disabled person needs different things to cope with the world around them. Therefore, you should create a multi-sensory room in your school that can accommodate every child with special needs.

What can I put in a sensory room? ›

25 Sensory Room Ideas
  • Textured wall panels.
  • Hammocks.
  • Bubble tubes.
  • Lava lamps.
  • Weighted blankets.
  • Keyboard.
  • Disco ball.
  • Essential oils.

How big should a sensory room be? ›

A great size for a room is around 3m x 4m, this is usually plenty of space to create an amazing sensory area. It can have a good range of sensory equipment and still feels spacious yet comforting.

What are the benefits of multisensory rooms? ›

Time spent in a Multi Sensory Environment has been shown to increase concentration, focus attention, improve alertness, awaken memories, and to improve mobilization, creativity, social relations and communications, and general awareness of the surrounding world.

Why do we need sensory breaks in school? ›

A Sensory Break is a designated portion of time that may allow a child to deescalate from the sensory stimulation of the classroom setting. Sensory breaks also are beneficial for students that benefit from additional movement or deeppressure input opportunities to help with focus, attention, and learning.

Why have a sensory corner in a classroom? ›

Sensory-based classroom corners provide a solution by allowing students to take a break and engage in activities that regulate their sensory input. This, in turn, helps them regulate and re-focus, so that they can concentrate and participate in classroom activities.

Are sensory rooms evidence-based? ›

There is growing strong evidence on the benefits and application of sensory rooms in inpatient mental health settings as a complementary approach to enable self-regulation, reduce distress, foster recovery and improve participation in daily activities (Craswell et al., 2021; Haig & Hallett, 2023; Kandlur et al., 2023; ...

References

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