Three new sensory areas for Solihull school thanks to M42 junction 6 scheme

A Solihull primary school has been able to upgrade indoor and outdoor spaces for children with complex needs thanks to funding from the team behind the M42 junction 6 scheme.

An enhanced indoor sensory space and two functional outdoor spaces have been provided at Greswold Primary School with the help of community funding provided by National Highways.

The school was awarded £7,500 from the project’s social value fund, part of a wider National Highways commitment to ‘give back’ to local communities by providing volunteer time, materials or arranging career-related activities in schools and colleges.

The project transformed three parts of the school which will benefit pupils with special educational needs as well as children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The spaces will also provide other pupils with a calming place to work, reflect and collaborate outside the classroom.

The indoor area called ‘The Nest’, forms part of a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) provision and features sensory equipment that enables children to self-regulate and to stay focused for longer periods of time.

A sensory trail includes attachments to the walls which children can push or pull, textured handprints as well as activity boards where they can develop motor skills.

The outdoor spaces received extensive decorative work with one space being used for communal activities, helping children to work together without distractions while the other includes a canopy allowing it to be used all year round by pupils with specific needs.

National Highways Project Manager on the M42 Junction 6 scheme, Adam Gallis said:

“We were so pleased to be able to award Greswold Primary School this funding to enable them to enhance their sensory facilities.

“Our community fund has been set up to deliver benefits for local people, the environment and the economy.  

“We’ve always built social value into every aspect of our network. From economic prosperity to preserving natural habitats, we know how important it is that we make a positive difference to the communities where we work.”

Greswold primary School Deputy Head Teacher, Matt Hornsey added, “As an inclusive mainstream school with over 100 SEND pupils and a wide catchment area these special spaces will be invaluable.

“We’re very grateful that National Highways has been able to help with this provision and know the impact on pupils and staff will be immense.”

National Highways’ Community Legacy framework has four themes: 

·       Economic prosperity 

·       Improving the environment 

·       Community wellbeing 

·       Equality, diversity and inclusion 

Fozia Fazil, Social Value Manager at the M42 junction 6 improvement’s delivery partner Skanska added:

“At Skanska, we believe in delivering social value initiatives that impact the local community, environment and wider society. Working closely with stakeholders, we look for opportunities that will help communities thrive and leave a positive legacy.”