Let me tell you why you DONT NEED a designated sensory room in your primary school..

As a Sensory Occupational Therapist in the NHS, I work across schools within a large borough. My days are filled with visiting schools, observing children in their learning environments, and let me tell you—I've seen it all! I’ve worked with some truly passionate SENDCOs, perhaps like you, who are constantly striving to improve learning experiences for children with support needs. Every day, I’m blown away by the imagination, problem-solving, and sheer determination that SENDCOs bring to their schools. Honestly, I often think, "Wow, you’d make an incredible occupational therapist!"

From these visits, I see first-hand the challenges schools face when supporting children with sensory needs. Some schools go above and beyond, while others struggle—not for lack of trying, but due to barriers like budget constraints, staffing issues, or simply not having enough space. Old school buildings, increasing class sizes, and limited funding mean that creating a dedicated sensory room often feels impossible. And honestly? That might not be a bad thing.

I'm often asked..."Sadie..."

• "How do I design a sensory room?"

• "What equipment do I need for a sensory room?"

• "How much will a sensory room cost?"

And for the schools lucky enough to have a budget, who are excited to get designing their new sensory room, I can't help but feel I might burst the bubble of excitement. Because, and I'm holding your hand while I say this..

A Sensory Room Isn’t the Magical Answer to Your School’s Sensory Needs

A sensory room isn’t a tick-box exercise to prove you're meeting children’s sensory needs. A sensory room is nice to have—but it’s not a necessity.

Give me ten pop-up dens, breakout nooks, or calm corners in corridors over one all-singing, all-dancing, fancy sensory room any day.

Let’s be real: spending £7K+ on a high-tech sensory room, filled with all the latest (eye-wateringly expensive) gadgets, might look impressive. Parents might be wowed. The trust might love it. But in practice? You’ll likely have one child using it at a time, with a queue of children waiting for their turn. More often than not, these spaces become ‘calm-down rooms’—a place where dysregulated children are sent to regulate themselves. But kids aren’t silly. They quickly learn the pattern: “If I do this, I get sent to the sensory room to calm down”

I once worked with a little boy who had experienced severe neglect, living in multiple foster homes and attending various schools. The classroom environment overwhelmed him, particularly during transitions. Handwriting was a huge challenge—just sitting upright in his chair was exhausting, never mind gripping a pencil or following instructions. When learning demands became too much, he would tip tables, crawl under desks, and eventually, he’d be taken to the sensory room to ‘calm down.’ It was a clever survival mechanism!

But here’s the thing: his dysregulation started the moment he stepped into that chaotic morning cloakroom. What helped him wasn’t being removed to a sensory room but adjusting his morning routine and providing a sensory circuit first thing in the day. Meeting his sensory needs before academic demands changed everything.

Sensory Support Isn’t a 10-Minute Break in a Sensory Room

Sensory needs aren’t met by sending a child to a sensory room for 10 minutes. We need to identify whether a child needs more or less sensory input and weave reliable, consistent strategies into their daily routine.

Instead of one sensory room, imagine:

✅ Multiple calm-down spaces throughout the school

✅ Resources for sensory circuits and input

✅ Classroom tools tailored to sensory needs

✅ Sensory-friendly lighting and better acoustics

✅ Whole-school environmental changes that meet the needs of EVERY learner.

That’s where I’d spend my budget if I worked in a school.

How? How do we design sensory friendly schools?.. Well, watch this space because I'll soon be launching an E-Learning course on the very topic which will explore everything from lighting, acoustics, break out spaces and sensory classroom equipment. But for now, you can download the FREE Sensory audit toolkit here.

And there's another way you can get started today..

A Simple, Effective, and Budget-Friendly Solution

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to support children’s regulation is by implementing sensory circuits. Whether for a group or on a 1:1 basis, sensory circuits are structured, consistent, and incredibly effective in helping children meet their sensory needs before learning begins.

Need a foolproof, ready-to-go solution? Check out the SensoryPie Sensory Circuit Cards! With 100 easy-to-use cards, designed by me and used by hundreds of schools, you can simply download, print, laminate, and go. No faff, no hassle—just practical, effective support for your learners.

👉 Grab yours today and take the stress out of sensory support!