Facilities/Therapies
Facilities/Therapies
Hydrotherapy
Whilst all pupils at Sunningdale have access to water as part of their PE programme and may use the hydrotherapy pool to increase their water confidence, develop language skills or as a creative environment to access other curriculum areas e.g. counting in maths hydrotherapy differs slightly as it is ‘therapy using water' .
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‘Wish Upon a Spa ‘... Hydrotherapy Appeal
Sadly our current hydrotherapy provision does not meet all of our pupils needs , the water is very shallow so older /larger children do not benefit from much space or buoyancy. The facilities are dated and worn and some of our equipment is now broken and outdated and we lack suitable changing facilities .
We have designed a unique purpose built facility of a pool that is 4ft in depth and incorporates a Jacuzzi whirl pool , state of the art hoist access, hydrolic changing beds, lighting and sound systems to increase sensory integration opportunities and a variety of water therapy aids. Families will have open sessions to this facility where they can come and relax, enjoy working and playing with their child and then enjoy a cup of coffee afterwards with other families. This resource will bring together the professionals from Sunningdale and families in a mutally supportive way . It will provide recreational activities on evenings and weekends for many pupils who lack facilities at present.
We are currently fundraising so please consider making a donation to the ‘wish upon a spa appeal ‘ and help to make our hydro dream come true .
Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory integration is the process by which the brain takes in and interprets information. This information is then used to control and organise the body so that a person can interact with the environment effectively.
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'Making sense of sensory'
As sensory integration is a high priority in Sunningdale we have designated a room specifically for the promotion of it , and a main base for our many resources . We are currently modifying this room further to best meet the needs of our pupils .
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The listening programme
As part of our sensory integration provision we offer the listening programme to identified pupils. This is a music based sound stimulation method that trains the brain to improve the auditory skills needed to effectively listen, learn and communicate. Staff are trained in how to deliver and monitor the programme and we have found great success for certain children.
Rebound therapy
Rebound therapy is using a trampoline for therapeutic exercise and recreation for people with special needs. It's used to facilitate movement, promote balance, increase or decrease muscle tone, promote relaxation, sensory integration, improve fitness and exercise tolerance and to improve communication skills.
Specialist staff work with physiotherapists to assess a child's needs, then provide weekly sessions to meet stated goals. They record and measure the small steps along the way, selecting equipment activities and ensuring each session is fun and increases a child's confidence.
The trampoline is also used as part of each child's P.E. provision so all children will be offered opportunities to access it , irrespective of their need .
Exploring the challenge at Sunningdale
As part of our support at Sunningdale we work alongside psychologists Sean and Nicola . Together with Anne they run a ten week course called ‘Exploring the challenge ‘. This is a parents course for people who face the challenges of caring for a child with a learning disability.
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Light Room:
The light room is a colourful room used by all children across school. Trained teaching assistants work with small groups of children based on classroom planning. The equipment in the light room can be used to develop the following skills: cause and effect, visual, hearing and listening skills, social skills, and communication. The room is a resource that provides children to learn about all areas of the curriculum but using a different approach.
Soft Play:
Soft play is an exciting area in school that provides opportunities for children to develop new experiences and games whilst working on their physio programmes. The plastic slide, caterpillar slide and rocking floor mats provides a new sensation of movement for children to experience, whilst the net area is a challenging area for children to negotiate. Each class have opportunities to take part in soft play for curriculum purposes and as part of a reward system.
Sound Therapy:
Sound therapy uses specialist equipment for children to make music and sounds whilst making a visual pattern. Limited children access the sound therapy in terms of their needs. A trained member of staff takes one child into the sound therapy room at a time and works on an individual programme to develop the child's communication, cause and effect, relaxation or social skills. The child's session may include microphone work, use of the sound beam to make music and sounds whilst feeling the vibrations on vibroacoustic box. The children not only receive auditory feedback but are able to watch the visual effects they make on the wall from the projected image they make whilst making music/sounds.
Sensory Garden:
We have a sensory garden which provides a tranquil area for the children to use all their senses. There are herbs to smell, different texture plants to feel whilst listening to the water feature or the birds on the bird table. There are fruit trees which the children enjoy picking apples and pears to make different desserts.
Allotments:
Each class have a small allotment where they are able to grow different fruits and vegetables. The children and staff enjoy discovering what has grown and tasting the home grown food, however there can sometimes be competition between the classes!
Sensory Trail:
There is a sensory trail on the back field that starts with tunnels lit with coloured lights under the trees and ends at the beach. The children are able to travel along the trail feeling the different textures on the ground and the different plants and objects, whilst moving up and down on the bridge and through the willow tunnel. There is a shed in the middle of the trail which can be used as an outside classroom. The sensory trail is used as a resource to deliver the curriculum outside.
Play Areas:
There are two play areas in the school grounds. The first play area is next to the back field and is a wheelchair accessible play area, providing access for all on the swings and roundabout whilst children can play the xylophone or megaphones outside. The second play area is located next to the playground which provides a challenging climbing frame with ladders, climbing wall, fireman's pole, a slide and bridge, with picnic benches underneath. Next to the climbing frame is a bird's nest swing in which all children have access to.
All classrooms have their own individual outside play areas to deliver the curriculum outside by providing independent and focused activities.