If you're a school, nursery or other educational setting that wants to support students and young people with SEN, SEND or SEMH, then having a specialised sensory room will make the world of difference! Sensory rooms are great for creating a safe, calming space where students can escape, self-regulate, and get back to learning when they feel overwhelmed. And the great thing is, the benefits of sensory rooms apply to all age groups - from nurseries all the way through to secondary schools. Here’s why every school needs a sensory room and how it can support students with their learning and development.
The key benefits of sensory rooms for students with SEN, SEND, and SEMH
Here are our top 7 sensory room benefits, but there are plenty more!
1. Supports emotional regulation
The typical school classroom learning environment can feel noisy, busy and chaotic for some individuals with SEND or SEMH, which can be very overstimulating and overwhelming for them. Sensory rooms provide students the quiet, soothing, dedicated space they may need to calm down and reset. This is important for children with SEND or SEMH who may experience struggles with emotional regulation.
2. Improves focus
Children who have ADHD or sensory processing difficulties can struggle to focus for long periods of time. Sensory rooms are great for improving concentration! Pupils can take a break in your sensory room so that when they return to class, they're ready to engage and focus again.
3. Reduces stress and anxiety
Unfortunately, stress and anxiety are commonly experienced by students with SEND and SEMH on a daily basis. Having a sensory room on site gives them a safe space where they can comfortably access resources which aid in managing and reducing these emotions. Features like soft lighting, soothing sounds and calming visuals will help pupils to relax.
4. Supports sensory processing
For students with autism or sensory processing challenges, school-based or nursery-based sensory rooms provide a controlled environment where they can process different kinds of sensory input in a way which works well for them. From tactile walls to interactive lights, sensory rooms help students to explore and interact with their environment without getting overwhelmed.
5. Builds cognitive/motor skills
Interactive, hands-on elements like textured surfaces, light displays, or musical components support cognitive and motor skill development, as well as improving pupils' hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities. For example, manipulating different textures helps with sensory processing, while activities that involve pressing buttons, turning dials, or following light patterns strengthen dexterity and spatial awareness.
6. Strengthens social skills
A sensory room is not just a space for self-regulation, it’s also a great tool for social and emotional learning. Children and young people can practice taking turns, sharing, and interacting with peers in a less structured, supportive environment. These are important soft skills to take back to the classroom, at home, and beyond!
7. Improves academic performance
When pupils are able to effectively regulate their emotions and sensory input, they are more likely to perform better academically. Accessing a sensory room at school can give pupils a chance to manage their anxiety or overstimulation and return to the classroom calm and ready to engage and learn.
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Why sensory rooms work for every age group
Sensory rooms can create an inclusive educational environment across all phases of education. They are designed to accommodate a wide range of needs, allowing early years, children or teenagers to feel valued and supported.
Nurseries
In nurseries, children are in the early stages of their development. Infants and toddlers are just beginning to process sensory information. A dedicated sensory room helps them explore their sense of touch, sight, sound, and smell in a way that is safe and engaging. Investing in a sensory room at your nursery provides a great place for young children to explore sensory input in an early years-friendly environment. Young children with SEND need spaces where they can relax and explore. Here, they will be able to access these important experiences right at the beginning of their education, and feel secure and comfortable.
Primary schools
Young children can easily become overstimulated, and the classroom or playground may be an overwhelming space for some pupils. Also, at primary-phase, children begin to refine their ability to focus, interact socially, and manage their own emotions, all of which can be difficult without the right support. Whether your primary-aged pupils have autism, ADHD or SPD, a dedicated safe space for sensory exploration will be a huge benefit for them.
Secondary schools
Students at secondary school age often face stress, social challenges, struggles with adolescence, and increased academic pressure. It's important for older children (especially those with SEMH and SEND) to be able to access an additional environment where they can relax. By investing in a sensory room at your secondary school, you can provide your teenage students with the tailored support they may require to manage their anxiety, regulate emotionally, and improve their focus.
Special schools
For students with complex needs, sensory rooms are an essential resource. As we have discussed, there are so many benefits for children and students with SEND requirements. In specialist settings, sensory rooms are a great way to promote independence, self-regulation and emotional wellbeing. Many students in specialist settings may face difficulties with communication. A sensory room can support this, incorporating elements that promote non-verbal communication, such as touch-responsive toys and interactive lights which encourage expression.
Modular sensory rooms
Adding a specialised sensory room at your setting doesn't require extensive or time-consuming renovations. For schools looking to create a sensory room onsite, modular buildings offer a flexible, cost-effective solution. At Cabins for Schools, our modular buildings are completely bespoke and designed to meet the specific needs of different student groups. Whether you’re building for a nursery, primary school, secondary school, or special education facility, modular sensory rooms offer a quick installation, fast turnaround, high-quality yet affordability, even with education budget limitations!
Exciting news: Our new partnership to provide full turnkey sensory room solutions!
We are thrilled to share some exciting news. We have nearly finalised a brand new partnership to provide a full turnkey sensory room service to schools and educational settings across the UK. This means we will be able to offer everything your school needs to create the perfect sensory room, from design and installation to all of the sensory equipment your pupils need, along with ongoing aftercare support.
Stay tuned, as we’ll be revealing more details soon on how our partnership will transform the way sensory spaces are created for students. We are committed to providing modular sensory room solutions that are customised to meet the unique needs of your school, whether it’s for a nursery, primary school, secondary school, or a special education setting.
The best part? Our team of experts will handle the entire process, offering a smooth, stress-free experience, and ensuring your sensory room is ready to make a difference. Be sure to follow us on our Cabins for Schools social media channels and subscribe for updates for more information. You won’t want to miss how this partnership will help us bring sensory rooms to schools quickly and affordably, providing your students with the supportive environment they deserve.
Get in touch today and let's plan your sensory room project!
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