A Norwich school has been celebrating the opening of a new sensory room for its students.

Actress Liza Goddard and Norwich South MP Simon Wright joined staff and students at The Clare School, in South Park Avenue, yesterday for the official unveiling of the special room.

After a ribbon cutting ceremony the guests enjoyed a tour of the school and watched the children have fun in the new environment.

The Clare School has nearly 100 pupils aged three to 19 years old who have a range of sensory impairments, learning difficulties and additional complex needs.

The new �25,000 state-of-the-art computer-controlled sensory room aims to help enhance the children's self-confidence, social skills and future prospects.

Simon Minter, the school's senior manager and head of sensory support, said the new facility offered pupils lots of different opportunities including the chance to enjoy interactive stories with special sensory effects and the chance to control their surroundings by allowing them to alter colours, project images and change other elements of the room through a variety of different types of switches.

He said: 'It is giving the pupils control over their environment which is important because some of our children have such little control over their lives because of their disabilities.

'This is an opportunity for them to be in control of their environment and the things around them.'

He added: 'The sensory room is great for helping to develop sensory, visual and hearing skills.

'It is also good for relaxation and therapy. We are able to use the room for a massive range of things.'

The sensory room was installed during the summer holidays, and Mr Minter said that the children have been enjoying using the room since the beginning of term.

'The children absolutely love the room,' Mr Minter said.

'It is brilliant to see their smiles and reactions.'

The new sensory room at The Clare School is one of a number of them being installed at various places across the country as part of a partnership between BT and the youth cricket and disabled sports charity The Lord's Taverners.

Mr Minter said: 'We are so grateful for our new sensory room and would like to say a big thank you. It is a fantastic opportunity for the school and will help us to make a positive difference to our pupils' lives – helping them develop those massively important foundation skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.'

For more information about The Clare School visit the school website www.clareschool.co.uk

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