Chiltern Primary School is a nurturing and inclusive primary school based in Basingstoke, dedicated to providing every child with a supportive learning environment. After identifying a need for a safer, more flexible sensory classroom play system in one of their classrooms, the school contacted us to discuss a tailored solution. With the experience of transforming two spaces at their sister school, Oakridge, they were eager to bring a similar approach to this project.
The Challenge
The classroom at Chiltern Primary was large and multi-functional, serving a variety of purposes throughout the day.
The school needed a play system that could:
- Provide children with SEND the sensory experiences they require.
- Allow staff to monitor and engage with all children in a single space for safeguarding.
- Fit into a limited area without disrupting the classroom’s daily activities.
The challenge was to create a safe, flexible and engaging environment that supported the children’s regulation and play while maintaining a practical and accessible classroom layout.
(classroom prior to installation)
The Solution
To meet these needs, we developed a new version of our popular steps, slide, and podium setup, designed to use minimal space while offering maximum engagement.
Key features included:
A crawl-through den where children could rest, hide, or move through as part of the sensory circuit.
Padded flooring around the podium, providing a safe area for stretching, lying back, or other sensory activities.
This bespoke layout ensures that children can enjoy a complete sensory classroom experience, with safe play and sensory integration throughout the school day.
(bespoke sensory classroom design)
The Installation
This design created an in-class soft play regulation zone that allows children to follow their sensory diet while staff can supervise effectively. By combining safety, flexibility and fun, the system transformed the sensory classroom into a dynamic and supportive space for all learners.
To minimise disruption, the sensory classroom installation was scheduled during the school holiday, ensuring the system was fully ready for the children’s return. All made-to-measure padding and soft play equipment were manufactured in-house, allowing for a bespoke fit tailored to the classroom layout and ensuring the highest level of quality control.
Working closely with the federation, the project was completed smoothly and efficiently. The result is a fully functional in-class soft play system that meets Chiltern Primary’s needs, providing a safe, durable and enjoyable space for children to regulate their energy and engage with their environment.
The Impact on Children and Staff
The new soft play system has already had a positive effect on the classroom environment. Teachers report that the children are more engaged and able to follow their sensory diets effectively, with a noticeable improvement in energy and focus.
“The children love the new space and it has completely transformed the energy in the room.”
The dedicated regulation zone allows children to rest, play, and explore safely, while staff can monitor and support every child with ease. This has created a calmer, more organized classroom where learning and play go hand in hand.
If you’re looking to create a safe, engaging and fully tailored sensory classroom or regulation zone for your school, we can help.
Our in-house team designs bespoke soft play and sensory equipment and made-to-measure solutions that fit any space and meet the needs of children with SEND.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can transform your classroom into a supportive, fun, and inspiring learning environment.
