St John Rigby Catholic Primary School in Bedford has unveiled a new multi-sensory room designed to offer children with special educational needs a calm, supportive, and enriching environment.
The purpose-built space provides gentle sensory stimulation through light, sound, and touch. Its soothing atmosphere is intended to help pupils with sensory processing needs, autism, or additional learning challenges to relax, self-regulate, and refocus, ultimately enabling them to return to the classroom ready to learn. Such rooms are recognised as valuable tools in supporting therapeutic, educational, and developmental goals.
Headteacher Michele McGettigan described the project as an important step in the school’s mission:
“This space expresses our commitment to children with special educational needs, who sometimes simply need a calming environment before returning to class ready to learn.”
SEND Lead Hannah Ball added:
“It’s wonderful to see the room in action. Many of our children are already benefiting from this vital resource.”
Inclusion Lead Clare Ward emphasised the school’s holistic vision of care:
“Our new multi-sensory room is another way we ensure the diverse needs of all our children are met. We strive to be a fully inclusive and welcoming school for all.”
The room features soft furnishings, tactile sequinned boards, colour-changing lights, and gentle water soundscapes, elements that have quickly made it a favourite among pupils and staff alike.
A Catholic Commitment to Cherishing Every Child
Within our Catholic tradition, we affirm the inherent dignity of every person, recognising each child as uniquely made in the image and likeness of God. Prioritising those with special educational needs is not simply an educational responsibility but a Gospel imperative, an expression of the Church’s call to accompany, nurture, and celebrate every individual’s gifts.
Facilities like this multi-sensory room embody that mission in a practical and compassionate way. They remind us that true inclusion means ensuring that every child, especially those who need additional support, can flourish, learn, and know they are deeply valued.
A photograph of SEND Lead Hannah Ball with therapy dog Basil accompanies this story.
