Overview
Based in Stockport, Lisburne Special School provides education to 214 primary-aged children with a range of complex learning needs. In 2024, Lisburne Special School opened the doors to it’s new state-of-the art facility, bringing life to the school’s ambition to transform education for children with special educational needs and disabilities and representing Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s broader commitment to improving SEND provisions under the local authority.
Project Brief
To enhance the new facility, Sensory Technology was invited to collaborate with the school to install a 10m-wide by 2.4m-tall immersive wall in the dance studio, alongside an interactive floor system. The project aimed to boost learner engagement, focus, and enjoyment – aligning with the council’s commitment to improving high-quality SEND provisions within the borough.
Immersive Room Design
A typical Sensory Technology Immersive Room covers around 16m², but for this project, we were given a space nearly four times that size – a challenge was eagerly accepted! Since the room needed to serve multiple purposes, our system had to integrate seamlessly with everyday activities and existing equipment.
Fortunately, one large wall was free of obstacles, allowing us to create a bespoke design of a single-wall projection system that met the requirements of the customer, whilst ensuring we could create that ‘all encompassing’ immersive feel. To enhance the effect, we utilised the full-width mirrors opposite the projection, amplifying the visuals across the space.
In addition to the 10m-wide projected image, we also specified an interactive floor system, a professional-grade sound system, and wind and scent machines, all designed to create a fully engaging sensory environment.
Control and convenience were also key considerations. A touchscreen interface was installed for intuitive operation, and bespoke cabinetry was built to neatly house additional hardware, keeping the space functional and organised while maintaining the immersive experience.
Immersive Room Installation & Training
The installation took place whilst the building was still under management of the main building contractor. Our project team coordinated closely with both them and the local authority to ensure everything was prepared ahead of our arrival.
Given the unique nature of this project, our team required powered access equipment to reach the 4.9m high ceiling in order to safely secure the mounting hardware and conceal the majority of the cable in the void. Once all of the equipment was in position, our technician programmed and calibrated the system to ensure optimal performance from all of the equipment.
Once the school had assumed control of the building, a member of our team returned to provide a full training session, helping the staff to fully understand the operation and capability of their new immersive setup.
Customer Feedback
By bringing together innovative technology and clever design, the new immersive space at Lisburne Special School now serves as a multi-use space that gives students a fun, engaging, and fully interactive environment to learn and explore. Since installation, the students are making full use of the immersive room, which continues to enrich their learning with hands-on, unforgettable experiences.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the incredible immersive room Senteq (Sensory Technology Limited) install at Lisburne School. It has been a truly transformative addition, and we couldn't be happier with the result. The room itself is amazing, and its impact on our students has been profound. Our children absolutely love it, and we've seen it become a central part of their learning and sensory experience. The positive effects extend to our staff as well; the immersive environment provides them with smooth and effective working days, enhancing the overall school atmosphere. Beyond the fantastic product, the aftercare service provided by Senteq has been nothing short of excellent. When we experienced a technical issue, engineer Andy Dominic promptly responded and was able to fix the problem completely, getting us back up and running with minimal disruption. This level of dedication to both product quality and customer support is exceptional. We would wholeheartedly recommend Senteq to any school or organisation looking for a top-tier sensory installation backed by caring and efficient professionals. They have delivered a fantastic resource that will benefit our school community for years to come".
