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Introducing the Sensory Hub: A Space to Pause, Explore and Connect at School

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sensory garden hub

A pupil who needs a break from a busy playground. A small group enjoying a story together. A child discovering a new texture or watching sunlight change colour through a window.

These are the everyday moments we have designed the Sensory Hub around.

Our new outdoor sensory space brings together colour, sound, texture and planting within a sheltered timber structure. It gives schools a welcoming place for sensory exploration, nurture activities and quieter moments, with different ways for pupils to participate at their own pace.

For mainstream primary schools and specialist SEND settings alike, its value lies in what children can experience there.

A familiar place to pause

School life can be busy, with crowded spaces, noise and frequent changes between activities. Having a recognisable place to step away with a trusted adult gives staff another way to support pupils during the school day.

The Sensory Hub can provide a setting for a planned sensory break, a quiet conversation or a gentle transition before returning to learning.

Its 4m x 4m timber shelter creates a defined outdoor base, while the green felt shingle tile roof provides overhead cover and shade. The open entrance maintains a connection with the outdoors, and the built-in benches offer somewhere to sit together.

Used as part of a familiar routine, the Hub can become a place pupils know they can visit for support, company or a change of pace.

Sensory choice, at each child’s pace

Sensory needs are individual. One pupil may enjoy music and bright colours, while another may prefer quiet observation or exploring a texture with their hands.

The Sensory Hub gives staff several experiences to draw on, without needing to introduce them all at once.

A session might involve listening to a story, feeling the natural materials on the sensory panel or noticing the scent of a plant. At other times, the Hub might simply be somewhere to sit quietly.

The aim is to offer meaningful choices and opportunities to engage, guided by the children using the space.

Colour that invites curiosity

The side windows feature coloured Perspex panels: blue and yellow on one side, orange and green on the other.

These create opportunities to explore how light and colour change the appearance of familiar surroundings. Pupils can look through different panels, notice coloured sunlight and compare what they see.

For staff, this provides a starting point for observation, matching, colour recognition and descriptive language. Children can participate through pointing, looking, choosing or talking, making it an activity that does not depend on spoken answers.

It also gives the Hub a distinctive identity within the school grounds: somewhere children can recognise and return to.

Sound that supports different activities

The Sound Mixer adds another dimension to how schools can use the space.

Staff can introduce gentle music, environmental sounds, spoken stories or audio to accompany a group activity. A familiar story might provide a shared focus, while music could support singing, rhythm or imaginative play.

For some pupils, carefully chosen, low-volume audio may form part of a settling routine. Others may prefer a quiet session with the sound switched off.

The benefit is flexibility: staff can choose the content and listening level to suit the activity and the pupils taking part.

Hands-on discovery through natural textures

Mounted on the exterior lower wall, the tactile sensory panel combines timber slices, sticks and smooth stones.

These contrasting surfaces invite children to investigate through touch. They can compare rough and smooth, follow shapes with their fingers and discover which materials they prefer.

The panel also creates opportunities for shared attention and communication. An adult might model words such as “bumpy”, “round” or “smooth”, while a pupil responds by touching, pointing or choosing a favourite section.

Because it is outside the shelter, the panel can also be explored during a short visit without joining an activity inside.

A connection with nature that changes through the seasons

The sensory planter brings flowers, fragrant herbs and contrasting foliage within easy reach for observation and supported exploration.

Plants offer experiences that change over time. Pupils can notice new growth, compare leaf textures, smell herbs and watch flowers develop.

Caring for the planter adds a purposeful activity to a visit. Watering, checking growth and looking for seasonal changes can become familiar routines, giving children a shared responsibility and something to return to.

Plant choices can be tailored to the school and the pupils who will use the Hub.

Somewhere to sit, share and belong

The built-in benches have green artificial grass covering the seating tops, adding another texture to explore and helping create an inviting place to gather.

Seating makes the Hub useful for more than sensory activities alone. Schools could use it for:

  • Small-group nurture sessions.
  • Supported reading and storytelling.
  • One-to-one conversations.
  • Listening and turn-taking activities.
  • Quiet social time.
  • Outdoor learning in smaller groups.

A shared activity can give pupils a natural reason to spend time together. They might choose a story, take turns selecting sounds or care for the plants alongside a friend.

Curiosity that reaches into the curriculum

The roof-mounted solar panel, wind turbine and Power Mixer add a further opportunity: learning from the building itself.

They give pupils a visible starting point for questions about sunshine, wind and electricity. Staff can connect these observations with science, weather, sustainability and cause and effect.

This makes the Hub a versatile teaching resource. A visit might begin with noticing the breeze in the plants and lead to a discussion about the wind turbine, or move from listening to audio to exploring where electrical energy comes from.

Sensory discovery and curriculum learning can happen together.

Making sensory opportunities part of everyday school life

A dedicated outdoor space gives schools another setting in which to support participation, relationships and wellbeing.

The Sensory Hub can be used for a short individual visit, a regular nurture session or a small-group lesson. Its combination of shelter, seating and sensory resources allows staff to vary the experience while keeping the setting familiar.

Every pupil will respond differently. Thoughtful positioning, individual choice and staff guidance are central to making the space work well.

The Sensory Hub brings these possibilities together: a place to pause when needed, explore when ready and connect with others through shared experiences.

Explore the Sensory Hub for your school

Would your school benefit from a welcoming outdoor space for sensory exploration, nurture and small-group learning?

The Hideout House Company can help you consider how the Sensory Hub could fit your grounds and the needs of your pupils.

Call 01832 275902 or email info@hideouthouse.com to request an information sheet or discuss your ideas.

The Benefits of Creating a Sensory Garden in Your School

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The Benefits of Creating a Sensory Garden in Your School

In today’s busy and often overstimulating world, schools are increasingly recognising the importance of providing calm, inclusive and therapeutic spaces for pupils. A well-designed sensory garden offers far more than just an attractive outdoor area — it becomes a powerful learning, wellbeing and inclusion tool that benefits the entire school community.

Whether you are looking to support children with additional needs, enhance outdoor learning, or simply create a peaceful space for reflection, a sensory garden can make a lasting difference.

What is a Sensory Garden?

A sensory garden is a specially designed outdoor space that stimulates the five senses — sight, sound, touch, smell and sometimes taste — through carefully chosen planting, textures, colours, features and equipment.

More importantly, a sensory garden provides a safe and engaging environment where children of all abilities can explore, regulate emotions, learn and connect with nature in a meaningful way.

The Key Benefits of a Sensory Garden in Schools

1. Supporting Children with Additional Needs

Sensory gardens are particularly valuable for pupils with:

  • Autism spectrum conditions (ASC)

  • ADHD

  • Sensory processing difficulties

  • Physical disabilities

  • Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)

  • Anxiety or behavioural challenges

These environments can help children regulate their sensory input, reduce anxiety and improve focus. For some pupils, time spent in a calm sensory space can significantly improve their readiness to learn and ability to engage in the classroom.

2. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing

Children today face increasing pressures, and schools are seeing a growing need to support emotional wellbeing. Sensory gardens provide:

  • Quiet spaces for reflection and calming down

  • Opportunities for mindfulness and relaxation

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

  • A natural setting that promotes positive mood and emotional balance

Access to nature has been proven to support mental health, improve behaviour and increase overall happiness.

3. Encouraging Inclusive Play and Learning

A sensory garden ensures that outdoor spaces are inclusive for all pupils, regardless of ability. Carefully designed features can allow children with mobility challenges or sensory needs to engage equally with their peers.

Inclusive elements might include:

  • Raised planters and accessible pathways

  • Textured surfaces and tactile panels

  • Interactive sound and movement features

  • Wheelchair-friendly layouts

  • Quiet retreat areas

This helps foster empathy, understanding and social interaction between pupils.

4. Enhancing Outdoor Learning Opportunities

Sensory gardens are not just for relaxation — they are powerful educational spaces that support:

  • Science and nature studies

  • Creative writing and art

  • Mindfulness and PSHE

  • Environmental awareness

  • STEM learning through interaction with natural elements

Teachers can use the space as an outdoor classroom, enriching the curriculum while encouraging hands-on learning.

5. Improving Behaviour and Focus

Time spent in sensory environments can help children:

  • Self-regulate emotions

  • Reduce overstimulation

  • Improve concentration

  • Return to lessons calmer and more focused

Many schools report noticeable improvements in behaviour and classroom engagement once a sensory garden is introduced.

6. Creating a Space for the Whole School Community

A sensory garden benefits not only pupils but also staff and parents. It can be used for:

  • Small group work

  • Intervention sessions

  • Pastoral support

  • Quiet staff reflection space

  • Community engagement

It quickly becomes one of the most valued areas within a school.

If you are considering developing a sensory garden and would like to explore ideas, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The Hideout House Company: info@hideouthouse.com or call 01832 275902

Sensory garden design

Sensory Garden Makeover at Knutsford Primary School

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Earlier this year we were approached by the head of this primary school in Watford. He was looking at developing an existing under-used playground space into an outdoor learning facility for children aged 3-7. Some of these children have ADHD and who are non-verbal and therefore require sensory feedback so this had to be very much taken into consideration with our overall design and proposals. Some of these children for example don’t wear shoes so textured flooring was on the wish list. The head was very adamant that they wanted to create a calm, relaxing and inspiring space which has a naturalised look and feel to it and definitely not a traditional play space with brightly coloured play equipment.

The area had to ensure that the children were to be on a journey which takes them through all of the senses and which provides a safe space for them to explore.

We therefore put together some designs within the budget allocated which included the following:

  1. Multi surfaces including all weather play grass, resin bound mulch and a barefoot sensory path
  2. Sensory timber tunnel pergola
  3. Growing planter beds
  4. Mirror reflection posts
  5. Mixed sensory planting including grasses
  6. Outdoor musical equipment
  7. Stainless solar sphere water feature including timber pedestal
  8. Colourful retreat arbour
  9. Buddy bench corner and sensory tree bench
  10. Sensory materials kitchen and storage unit
  11. Rustic timber shade canopy
  12. Textile weaving panel

This is how the playground looked before we started

The work began over the summer holidays and was completed by the time the children returned for the Autumn term in September.

And this is now how it looks

 

The head is delighted with the project as per comments below:

“We are really pleased with the install; it certainly has had a massive impact already on the environment and how my teachers are utilising the space for learning.

Thank you for your design and vision to be able to support us in creating it. You are more than welcome to visit whenever you are near!”

If you are thinking of having a sensory garden or sensory area at your school, please contact us on 01832 275902 or email info@hideouthouse.com

 

 

How To Make An Outdoor Classroom A Sensory Space

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We offer one of the most comprehensive ranges in the UK of outdoor classrooms and shelters but the lovely thing is, I don’t think we have ever sold two of exactly the same kind – they are always different as we like to make sure that we consistently offer a range of unique options and modifications that better suit the school’s specific needs rather than just supplying something “off the shelf” as it were.

And a common request at the moment is for schools wanting to provide a provision for outdoor learning but with a sensory element to it for children who have special needs or quite simply to be a quiet, reflective and calm space where children can go to relax.

So this is where the modifications and our optional extras come in which will all compliment this theme. A school needs to decide first on what size or shape building they want and here we can advise accordingly as usually this decision is based on space availability, amount of children the outdoor classroom needs to accommodate and budget of course.

Let’s look at the sensory options:

SIGHT – strong and vibrant colours work well so we could offer special multi-coloured perspex window panels or a multi-coloured archway and entrance. Planters or flower beds are a good option here too because a school can grow plants which burst with colour

art room with multi-coloured polycarbonate roof

TOUCH – we offer a range of different textured tactile panels which are fixed to the walls or lower panels which the children can easily feel and touch

Tactile panel on posts

SMELL – we could use certain types of timber which give off a natural pungent smell such as cedar but more commonly, it goes back to using planters and beds where plants with powerful smells can be planted. Lavender would be a good example of this.

SOUND – chimes can be hung from the roof which give off a very relaxing and soothing sound. Or alternatively we have a range of musical panels featuring drums, chimes and bells etc which can either be free-standing mounted onto posts or onto the walls.

TASTE – this goes back to whatever is being grown in the planters which is safe to eat.

There are a lot of options therefore as listed above which could make your outdoor classroom a unique sensory experience.

For more information, please contact us on 01832 275902 or email: info@hideouthouse.com

 

Case Studies and Prices for Sensory Gardens for Schools

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We do get a lot of enquiries from schools who are looking to start a sensory garden within their school grounds and of course need to have an idea on prices or how much these type of projects cost.

The sensory gardens we tend to get involved with fall into two distinct camps – those projects which involve a certain amount of landscaping work combining many features which foster the sensory garden elements of sound, smell, touch, sound and taste. We offer an initial design service for these projects so that the school can see exactly what we are proposing after we have had a lengthy consultation and/or site visit. These projects tend to be in the budget area of £15K + and can go right up to £100K ex VAT. We have put together a case studies file which gives details on previous sensory gardens we have designed with an attendant budget cost for each one included.

Or we can offer a range of products which are suitable for sensory gardens but which typically involve little or no installation and some of these sensory products can be free standing. These range of products are delivered by a transport company – examples of these type of products are given below

Light and sound arch with brightly coloured panels and outdoor musical chimes (includes 2 beaters)
Free-standing woodland style benches (set of five)
Mirror reflection panels
Growing box
Living wall tipi den with planters and climbing plants
Melody pole
Multi panel sensory unit
Sofa seating covered in artificial grass
Armchair covered in artificial grass
Sensory light cube with play feature
Chimes musical panel

Drum musical panel
Sensory cube covered in artificial grass
Tactile panel set of 3 (wall fix)
Self-creation den with removable tubes
Sunlight archway
Rainbow posts (free-standing)
Rainbow canopy attached to planter beds
Sensory tactile totem posts

If your school is considering a sensory garden project and would like to discuss the options available, please contact us on 01832 275902 or email info@hideouthouse.com

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