Birkett House SEN School, Wigston

Birkett House pupils have a range of learning needs, from profound and multiple learning difficulties to moderate disabilities, so the design of the school has specific requirements to meet their needs.

The design has two contrasting courtyards to help the pupils identify where exactly in the building they are, and where they need to go.

The classrooms benefit from high levels of natural light and feature large overhanging eaves to protect from direct sunlight and glare.

The classrooms are subtly colour coded and have a coloured door to their own external space, to help the children identify which classroom is theirs.

Three immersive rooms provide fully interactive experiences for the pupils, including vibrating floors, aromas, wind, sound and visuals on multiple surfaces.

There is an immersive rebound room, featuring a sunken trampoline, ball pit climbing frame, swings, ramps and padded floors and walls – all with changeable mood lighting – as well as an adventure playroom.