A BRIDGWATER school and autism centre has built a sensory garden to help support its children with additional needs.
The new Westover Green Community School and Autism Centre garden has play apparatus for children of all ages and abilities to access independently.
The school says children often ask for sensory garden time and are making the most of the fantastic new facility.
Over 85 per cent of the funding came from Access & Additional Learning Needs Inclusion Somerset, a county council initiative.
The project was designed and managed by Somerset Landscapes, who worked to reduce disruption to the children's education during construction.
The garden formally opened on Friday, September 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A Westover Green Community School and Autism Centre statement said: “We are so thrilled with our new sensory garden at Westover Green.
“It has already has made a positive impact on the development of gross motor skills for learners with autism and additional needs in the Autism Centre and across the school.
“The garden has a great variety of apparatus so that all ages and abilities can access most equipment independently and with confidence.
“The disc net swing is a particular favourite and children love to zoom around the paths on scooters!
“The children in the Autism Centre regularly ask or sign for ‘sensory garden time’, which is brilliant because they are happily engaged in physical activity in the outdoors and increasingly communicating their needs.
“The garden has also had a wonderful impact on the children and staff’s health and well-being since being operational as it is such a lovely area outside in the fresh air to spend time learning in.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes to Phil Curd, the Strategic Manager for Access & Additional Learning Needs Inclusion Somerset, for supporting the school with the project and allocating over 85 per cent of the funding to make the project possible.
“Big thanks also to Michelle Martin and the construction team from Somerset Landscapes for design support, project management and doing such a great job working around our learners with the utmost professionalism and understanding to minimise educational disruption.”
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