Wallingford School Sensory Space Gives Children a Chance to Learn
OxfordshireWallingford School in Oxfordshire, a Sensory Space project focusing on the creation of a Neutral Calming Space, has been awarded a grant of over £9,800 from Wooden Spoon Charity. This initiative, aimed at supporting students with sensory regulation needs and providing a safe environment for emotional wellbeing, is set to make a meaningful impact on the school community by giving children a chance to learn.
Wallingford School is a fully inclusive mainstream comprehensive school that places Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at the heart of its provision. Through needs-led support, targeted interventions and designated safe spaces, the school works to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Every teacher receives SEND training and adapts their teaching to remove barriers to learning, helping pupils to thrive both academically and personally.
Officially opened on 1 June 2026 by England Red Roses players Maud Muir and Mia Venner, the new sensory space represents a significant step forward in the school’s commitment to supporting student wellbeing.
This new sensory space provides a calm, welcoming and therapeutic environment designed to support students who experience stress, anxiety or challenges with emotional regulation. The neutral calming space offers pupils a dedicated area where they can regulate their emotions, reduce sensory overload and develop strategies to manage their wellbeing. The room will also provide opportunities for social interaction, helping students build confidence and strengthen relationships with their peers.
Teachers at the school have described the new facility as “life-changing” for the students who use it. By providing a dedicated space where young people can feel safe, supported and understood, the project is helping to remove barriers to learning and enabling students to engage more fully in school life.
For many young people, particularly those with additional needs, having access to a space where they can pause, reset and regain focus can make a profound difference. The sensory room will not only support emotional wellbeing but will also help improve concentration, attendance and participation in lessons, giving students the confidence to reach their full potential.
Funded by a generous Wooden Spoon Charity grant, this sensory space aligns with Wooden Spoon’s commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments that foster wellbeing, confidence and personal growth. It is a powerful example of how the right facilities can transform a young person’s educational experience and give them the opportunity to flourish.
Wooden Spoon is a charitable organisation dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the rugby community. Committed to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland, the charity has funded numerous projects that create opportunities for these individuals.
With a strong history of impactful, community-driven initiatives, Wooden Spoon strives to improve lives through physical, educational and social projects.
Through collaborations like this, Wooden Spoon continues its mission to bring about positive, lasting change in communities.
Get Involved
Support sensory space projects like this across the UK and Ireland by donating to Wooden Spoon.
