Pembrokeshire school the latest to benefit from BT initiative to help young people with disabilities
Pupils at Portfield Primary School in Pembrokeshire are to benefit from a new BT-funded multi-sensory room which will give young people with disabilities the chance to dramatically enhance their learning experience in a stimulating new environment.
The school is the latest to benefit from a partnership between the Lord’s Taverners and BT, who have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds to create 27 special multi-sensory rooms across the UK over the last six years.
Portfield School caters for 147 pupils aged 3 to 19 who have a range of learning needs. These encompass, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs along with complex needs including autistic spectrum condition, associated behavioural issues, sensory impairment and speech and language disorders.
Multi-sensory rooms feature a relaxing and stimulating variety of lights, sounds and textures, which help children with physical and learning disabilities to engage in a learning environment that suits their educational needs.
The equipment helps children to develop communication and physical skills, build friendships and boost confidence. It can also improve children’s physical and mental health, help them develop emotional responses and improve basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Sue Painter, Head Teacher at Portfield School, said: “Our new sensory room is proving a great success with all our children and we’re extremely grateful to both BT and Lord’s Taveners for helping to make this new room a reality. With this new sensory room our children are able to benefit from both a relaxing and stimulating space which will be of great assistance to their development.”
BT’s partnership with the Lord’s Taverners will see multi-sensory equipment – such as lighting, sound effects, mirrors, bubble tubes, fibre optic multi-coloured strands, soft mattresses, music and aromatic oils – installed in schools in the UK, supporting more than 18,000 young people with severe disabilities and communication difficulties across the UK.
Alwen Williams, BT’s Director of Wales, said: “I am delighted that our partnership with the Lord’s Taverners continues to flourish, with today’s BT sensory room at Portfield School opening another step on our journey to improving the lives of thousands of young people with disabilities.”
Paul Robin, chief executive of the Lord’s Taverners, added: “The Lord’s Taverners is dedicated to giving young people a sporting chance so we are delighted to work with BT to try and reach our goal of helping over 18,000 young people with disabilities across the UK by 2020. This new sensory room will benefit the teachers, carers and families of Portfield Schooland enhance the learning experience and future development of its pupils.”
