Springwell School is a Primary School for children aged 4 – 11 years with Complex Learning Difficulties. All of Springwell’s pupils have a severe level of special needs and many have autism, speech and language disorders and challenging behaviour. Springwell is currently undergoing a significant expansion due to the need for increased special school places and part of that expansion will include two new sensory rooms.

Many children at Springwell School benefit greatly from interactive sensory spaces. With specialist knowledge and advice, designs have been drawn up to provide a calm space with relaxing seating, a hideaway tunnel and mood lighting. Springwell also plan to install a sensory integration room which includes an internal swing, body roller, trampette mat, climbing wall and many other features to assist the pupils with their occupational therapy and provide an opportunity for them to explore independently in a safe and secure environment.

Unfortunately, due to financial pressures, the cost of equipping the sensory rooms is no longer included within the overall expansion project. Therefore, Springwell is currently considering other ways to try to raise such funds.

In order to support Springwell in creating these wonderful sensory spaces for the pupils, I will be running 186km between 1st March and the Summer Holidays, which equates to 1km for every child currently enrolled at Springwell School. As a teacher at Springwell School, I want to support this fantastic project and see the benefit that these sensory rooms and experiences can have to the pupils.