When the team at HelpKidzLearn visited Green Fold School in Bolton to introduce Sensory Space, the response was nothing short of heart-warming. Designed to support children with special educational needs through sensory exploration and cause-and-effect learning, Sensory Space was met with excitement from both pupils and staff.
Green Fold School is a maintained special school in Bolton for children aged 4–11 with complex learning needs. As part of the Orchards Federation, the school is committed to creating inclusive, nurturing environments that help every child flourish. With over 150 pupils across four sites, including provision for PMLD (profound and multiple learning difficulties) and autism - Green Fold is recognised for its child-centred approach and recently earned the 2024 School of Sanctuary Award for its commitment to belonging and inclusion.
The immersive room at Green Fold provided the perfect setting to explore the visual and audio-rich experiences in Sensory Space. One standout moment came from Caitlin McNiven, a teacher in the PMLD department, who used the Spaceship activity to create a truly magical experience for one of her students. Oliver, a pupil with PMLD, was visibly captivated. Caitlin enhanced the activity by gently moving his chair in time with the spaceship’s motion on screen. This simple yet powerful adaptation gave Oliver the sensation of soaring through space. His whole body responded with joy - smiling, moving, and vocalising his excitement. When the animation paused, he signed “more,” clearly eager to continue. His engagement highlighted Sensory Space's ability to support communication, anticipation, and physical interaction in a way that was just right for him.
Caitlin noted how Sensory Space complements other HelpKidzLearn tools, particularly Games & Activities. Both platforms support similar skill sets - visual engagement, early interaction, and cause-and-effect learning, but Sensory Space adds a calming, sensory-rich dimension that helps children ease into interaction gently and joyfully. At Green Fold, educators saw how the activities could be adapted for a variety of learners. Whether in a quiet space using switch access or exploring colours and sound through touch, each child connected in their own way.
What really stood out during our time at Green Fold was just how naturally children connected with Sensory Space. It wasn’t just about pressing buttons or watching colours - it was about the smiles, the movements, the vocalisations, and those little sparks of joy that showed us something special was happening. Each child found their own way to join in. Some reached out to touch the screen, others used switches or body movements, and a few simply watched, visibly calmer and more focused. With the flexibility to change colours, music, and access settings, staff could shape each experience to suit the learner - no pressure, just gentle encouragement and exploration. The feedback from teachers was clear: Sensory Space gave their pupils new ways to engage, communicate and enjoy learning. And for the team at HelpKidzLearn, it was a powerful reminder of why inclusive, personalised learning tools matter so much.
