At Pendle View Primary School in Lancashire, staff and pupils have been among the first to explore Sensory Space – our new suite of interactive sensory activities. The results? Laughter, vocalisations, and moments of pure magic.
Pendle View is a vibrant special school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with a range of additional needs, including physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and autism. Known for its personalised and nurturing approach, the school combines specialist classrooms, sensory integration spaces, and dedicated staff to create a supportive environment where every learner can thrive. Communication Lead, Jess Gott, has been trialling Sensory Space with pupils across the school. “Even on first glance, I could see how invaluable this would be,” she shared. “It’s another way we can tailor activities to each learner and make their experiences even more personalised.”
One of Sensory Space’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. Pupils at Pendle View have accessed the software using a wide range of methods – from switches and touchscreens to eye gaze. Each child was able to explore in the way that suited them best.
For many children, Sensory Space sparked immediate and joyful responses. In one session, a young boy used a single switch to activate the Neon Lights activity. His delighted vocalisations and huge smile made it clear he was in control – and loving it. Another moment that stood out was when a young girl used her eyes to make butterflies flutter across the screen. “Her focus was incredible,” Jess noted. “She was able to explore at her own pace, without pressure – which made it such a positive experience.” Jess also praised the visual design of the activities, especially for pupils with visual impairments: “The colour palette is my favourite feature – it’s something I haven’t seen before. We can switch to high contrast or specific tones to make it accessible for every pupil.”
Music and colour customisation played a big part in keeping learners engaged. “So many of our children are motivated by very specific music,” Jess explained. “Being able to change the track means I can grab their attention and keep it.” She also emphasised how the variety of activities supports skill development through repetition. “It can take a long time for our pupils to master a skill. The fact that they can choose a skill and access lots of different activities to practise it – that’s amazing.”
Pendle View Primary School is already seeing the benefits of using Sensory Space every day, and we can’t wait to see how the pupils continue to engage with it. The software is more than just a sensory tool it’s a way for children to develop key early skills like cause and effect, communication, and choice-making in a truly meaningful way.
