Discover how Sommerville School, New Zealand’s largest school for students with special educational needs, is revolutionising learning with HelpKidzLearn. Watch as students thrive, engage, and unlock their full potential through this innovative software.
Sommerville School, based in East Aukland, Sommerville in New Zealand, is dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs. Emily Taylor, a Speech and Language Therapist at Sommerville, shares that the school supports students aged 5 to 21 with a wide range of learning needs. The school operates two main sites and 17 satellite classes across the region. With nearly 400 pupils enrolled, Emily explained, "We're New Zealand's largest school for students with special needs. It's a vibrant place where everyone feels welcome and supported." Sommerville's mission is to provide a nurturing environment where students can thrive. Specialist Teachers, Therapists, and Support Assistants work together to meet each pupil's unique needs. The school's focus on education, therapy, and community engagement helps students develop their skills, build confidence, and participate fully in life.
One of the biggest challenges Sommerville faced was finding software that was accessible and usable across various devices. As Emily explained, "Every child has different needs, so we needed a solution that could adapt to their individual preferences."
That's when HelpKidzLearn Games & Activities came into the picture. Sommerville discovered that HelpKidzLearn was a perfect fit for their students, especially those who use switches. The software's compatibility with iPads, smart boards, and laptops made it accessible to everyone. When asked if HelpKidzLearn Games & Activities software met their needs, Emily was enthusiastic in her response. "Absolutely! HelpKidzLearn is a game-changer for our switch users," she explained. The software's compatibility with iPads, Bluetooth switches, and smart boards made it highly interactive and accessible for all students. Emily also noted that children could use the software on laptops for independent work, giving teachers a clear view of their progress. "Teachers know what they’re up to, they know what they’re doing, they’ve seen it all in use, and it’s just amazing."
Emily was impressed with the versatility of HelpKidzLearn, stating, "I found HelpKidzLearn and stopped looking. It does everything I need it to do." Even though Sommerville had been using HelpKidzLearn before Emily joined, she was instrumental in being a driving force behind the best way to use Games & Activities with switch users, having used it in a previous job.
Emily highlighted the positive impact of HelpKidzLearn on the students. "The children absolutely love it," she said. The software's beautiful sounds, music, and interactive elements cater to a wide range of needs, including those of students who are blind or have low vision. Emily confidently affirmed that there is something for everyone within HelpKidzLearn.
Emily shared heartwarming stories of students making progress with HelpKidzLearn. One student, who had recently started using two switches, was learning to perform different actions with each. Emily described how they incorporated HelpKidzLearn Games & Activities into the student's daily routine, using it in small sessions throughout the day to keep things interesting and engaging. Another example was the popularity of the ‘Touch Musicians’ game, which allowed students to explore different musical characters appearing, playing different instruments and sounds. Emily recalled the joy and excitement on the children's faces as they interacted with the game. “It's a really beautiful moment, putting language to what they’re looking at as well” Emily explained.
For Emily, the most magical moments were witnessing the teachers' reactions when they saw the students engaging with HelpKidzLearn activities, especially when it’s setup with switches and on the smartboards. "The teachers have this amazing, 'wow' moment," she said. The software's user-friendly interface and accessibility inspired teachers to explore new ways to incorporate it into the curriculum, from reading and storytelling to accessing the whole curriculum.
Emily described the process of introducing HelpKidzLearn to the students, emphasizing the importance of observing their reactions and identifying their preferences. By tailoring the activities to the students' interests, Sommerville was able to keep them engaged and excited about learning.
The software's engaging nature has captured the hearts of the students, providing them with valuable tools to explore, learn, and grow. HelpKidzLearn has become an invaluable asset for Sommerville, empowering students and nurturing a love of learning. When describing HelpKidzLearn Games & Activities, Emily called it "fun, engaging, innovative, and so helpful for us on every level."
