As a school and as a Resource we are continually looking for opportunities to extend the range of communication and interactive experiences for our sensory impaired pupils.  We have recently purchased a series of large, highly resonant instruments and additional Soundbeam equipment.

All pupils, regardless of sensory, physical or cognitive ability can feel and experience deep resonating sounds through their fingers, feet or perhaps somewhere less obvious such as their cheekbones.  We purchased a ‘Big Bom’ slit drum, a ‘Marimbula’ and ‘Lynn Kleiner’ gathering drum.  All of these instruments are large enough to allow a pupil to sit or lay upon them as they, or another pupil or adult, play them.  We use these instruments to promote early communication and interaction skills such as listening skills, anticipation, turn taking and copying of basic beats and rhythms.  The Soundbeam equipment makes use of switches and movement-sensitive directional beams that, when triggered, uses the on-board sound processors in the system to create sounds.  Pupil-tailored switches and the use of such sensitive beams allow those pupils with even very limited ranges of movement to play a potentially infinite number of instruments.

The West Berkshire Sensory Resource was established in April 2002 in partnership with the RNIB. It was the result of several years of planning between West Berkshire LEA, Brookfields School, the Sensory Consortium Service and the RNIB. The LEA recognised that provision for pupils whose learning difficulties were compounded by a sensory impairment (MDVI/MDHI) needed to be extended.  The Resource currently has three full-time teachers (QTVI/QTHI), two full-time specialist support assistants and a part-time mobility officer, which means that we can cater for twenty pupils.

Resource pupils are included in classes alongside their peers. Currently they receive up to a maximum of thirteen sessions of specialist support per week, depending on the complexity of their needs. This support is either delivered in class, in the resource base, or in one of our sensory areas. Resource staff are available on a daily basis to offer advice to teachers and assistants.

Pupils within the Resource follow a complementary, holistic curriculum tailored to their specific needs. This may include programmes of self-help skills, visual stimulation, auditory training, tactile awareness and therapeutic music. Appropriate mobility and orientation skills are taught both on and off site.

For further information about the Sensory Resource, please contact Gill Bailey on 0118 942 1382 or at gbailey@brookfields.w-berks.sch.uk or click here