Papdale Primary celebrates new sensory room

The Papdale Primary School family have celebrated the opening of their new sensory room.

A longstanding ambition for the school, the project was spearheaded by the Parent Council and aims to provide a calm, restful environment where staff can take pupils and help regulate their emotions - and in turn support their learning.

A gathering of pupils and supporters took place last month on Friday 15 September at 11am.

The room features a multi-coloured, interactive bubble tube, an oil projector, UV lighting, soft mats and toys, tactile installations and objects - together with soothing sounds and scents. 

Pupils who’ve experienced the space in its trial phase have been hugely impressed and have found it helps them cope much better with the busy school day.

The project was made possible by sustained fundraising efforts of the Parent Council including the ‘Miles in May’ 2021 event, and has been supported by the NHS Orkney Endowment Fund and Tesco Community Fund (now known as ‘Stronger Starts’).

Lynne Spence, Chair of the Papdale Primary School Parent Council said: “We’re delighted to see this come to fruition!

“It’s been a journey of more than two years from when the school first raised the concept. The Parent Council agreed to take up the gauntlet to raise and secure funds, and I am so pleased to say we’ve had fantastic support from the whole Papdale Primary family.

“So many people have helped along the way, but I’d like to express a huge thanks to parents and pupils who’ve so enthusiastically got behind our early fundraising efforts.

“I’d also thank school staff who’ve given their valuable expertise, especially Miranda Johnston who really helped finalise the list of cool kit to present to funders, and also Business Manager Steve Burnett who ordered all the items and juggled everything to ensure things arrived and were fitted properly. And of course huge thanks to NHS Orkney Endowment Fund and the Tesco Blue Token team for running these grants and allocating funding to us.”

Emma Billington, Head Teacher, said: “Our new sensory room will be such an asset making a huge difference for pupils and their learning and importantly their future. I would like to thank the Parent Council and all who’ve supported their fundraising efforts and therefore helped bring about a much needed resource for the school. ”

David Campbell, NHS Orkney Board member said: “We’re delighted the NHS Orkney Endowment Fund was approached for financial help, and congratulate the Parent Council and the wider school community for bringing this vision to reality. It’s gratifying to see the room now in use and able to support pupils’ emotional and mental health, and their learning.”

Paula Campbell is Tesco Kirkwall Community Champion: “Everyone at Tesco would like to thank all our customers who used their blue Community Tokens to support this amazing cause. The Blue Token initiative has been fantastic since launched at Tesco.  It’s wonderful to see the funds go to such worthy causes. Congratulations to Papdale Primary School on the opening of the new Sensory Room."

OIC Councillor Gwenda Shearer is Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee: “This is another shining example of members of the community helping drive wonderful projects in our schools, for the benefit of our youngsters. Huge congratulations and well done to all involved.”

The Orkney Health Board Endowment Funds are a registered Scottish charity (SCO16919) whose purpose is the advancement of health in Orkney, by bringing enhanced services to patients and staff in the local hospital and in the community. To find out more visit https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/orkney-health-board-endowment-funds

For information on Tesco Stronger Starts funding, visit Tescostrongerstarts.org.uk – or pop into Tesco Kirkwall and ask for Paula Campbell.