Whispering Woods Sensory Hub Opens in Devon
DevonFROM VISION TO REALITY = NINE SMALL SCHOOLS UNITED BY A SHARED ETHOS!
Beneficiary: Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School
Grant: £8,000
Delivered: Sensory Hub & Gardens
Opened: 23rd March 2026
Wooden Spoon Members Celebrate the Opening of the Whispering Woods Sensory Hub
Wooden Spoon members Roger Haywood, Mike Wisdom, Karen Matthews and Ross Matthews were delighted to visit Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School and Nursery this week to celebrate the opening of the new Whispering Woods Sensory Hub, a project made possible through an £8,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Devon.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear just how much this space means to the school community. Staff spoke with warmth and pride, and the children’s excitement was unmistakable. Children lined the corridors to greet us, their faces full of anticipation as they waited to see the new sensory room unveiled. The ribbon cutting was a highlight in itself, the school’s youngest pupil, just two and a half, and the oldest, aged nine, stood side by side to officially open the hub. Both were absolutely beaming, perfectly mirroring the sense of pride and anticipation all around them.
As we explored the space, we saw first-hand how thoughtfully it has been designed. The sensory lighting, textures and calming features created an immediate sense of welcome.
Adding an extra touch of meaning, each class at the school is named after a tree, Oak, Ash and more, therefore staff and pupils together agreed to call the project “The Wooden Spoon Whispering Woods Project”. To celebrate, everyone collaborated to write a special poem, now displayed on the wall outside the Sensory Room.
For us, it was a privilege to witness the impact of the project so early in its life. Wooden Spoon exists to support children and young people with additional needs, and seeing this hub already making a difference, especially in a small rural school facing real financial pressures was profoundly rewarding.
We are incredibly proud to have played a part in bringing the Whispering Woods Sensory Hub to life and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact it will have on pupils, families and staff for years to come.
Head Teacher Claire Theedom said:
“Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School and Nursery is a small, rural village school in the heart of Mid Devon, serving families from the village, surrounding hamlets and further afield. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from a modern, purpose-built building, extensive outdoor space, and the support of the Exe Valley Federation—a group of nine small schools united by a shared ethos. Our school is a truly special place: staff and children care deeply for one another, and there is a strong culture of creativity, enthusiasm and inclusion. We proudly support pupils with a wide range of additional needs, including those with complex profiles and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges. However, our rural location can make it difficult for families to access external services, and as a small school facing falling rolls and financial pressures, funding remains a significant challenge. At times, even everyday resources can feel like a luxury.”
“With this in mind, we had long hoped to create a calm, engaging and nurturing space that would be accessible to all our pupils—a place where children could regulate, explore and feel safe. Without external support, this simply would not have been possible. Thanks to the generous donation from Wooden Spoon, that vision has become a reality in the form of the Wooden Spoon Whispering Woods Sensory Hub. Designed with input from both staff and children, the space has already had a profound impact. From our youngest pupils, whose faces lit up with awe and wonder as they explored the sensory lights, to children with SEMH needs who now have a safe space to decompress and regulate, the benefits have been immediate and meaningful. One child shared, “When I feel activated it feels like the energy is going to burst out. The Sensory Hub is a space where I can let it all out, and then when I go back to class I’m ready to learn.” A parent also noted a significant change, commenting that their child returned home calmer and more regulated, without the usual pent-up anxiety.”
“As a small school, we can often struggle to be financially viable, yet we continue to support a high number of pupils with additional needs. The support from Wooden Spoon has been transformative, enabling us to provide something truly special for our children—something that would otherwise have remained out of reach.”
