For the children

[katex]

Thought this sounded a lovely facility for children with learning difficulties.

We who are lucky enough to have children with no such problems should appreciate this type of school. Best of luck to them.

News : Children sense the difference in West Lancs

Monday, 21st May 2007
(PR07/0204)

CHILDREN with learning difficulties in West Lancashire are set to benefit from a million-pound development at their new school.

West Lancs Community High School, which opened last year following the re-organisation of Black Moss and Kingsbury Special Schools, has been remodelled and given new accommodation containing the latest light and sound sensory awareness technology.

For the school’s 90 pupils, who have a wide range of learning difficulties, the development means that their learning experience can be enormously enhanced.

Headteacher Sue Reynolds said: “Simply reading a poem about spring, for example, may not mean very much to many of our pupils. But in the sensory room, we can produce the sound of lambs bleating, the smell of flowers or the sound of rain, which brings it to life for them.

“We are delighted with our new building and the scope it gives us. We hope that eventually we can share the facilities with other schools and gain from them in return.”

The building has been paid for by Lancashire County Council with a contributions from the school’s own funds, and is part of a countywide reorganisation of special school provision which aims to link mainstream and special schools more closely.

The new sensory room is used for small groups of children and combines soft floor and walls with state-of-the-art interactive technology that stimulates all the senses.

There is also a therapeutic light room, as well as a classroom for over 16s, a hygiene area and changing rooms.

County Councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for schools, said: “These young people deserve the best experience at school that we can give them and I am very pleased that we have made this investment.
“It is part of our vision for transforming special education and I am sure that the young people from West Lancs Community High, and others in the area, will reap the benefits in years to come.”