May 15, 2018
St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook is the largest education provider in our area, with almost 1600 secondary school age children enrolled. As our student population has grown, the diversity and needs of our students has changed. Currently 24% of our enrolled learners have a special educational need, most of whom attend mainstream classes on a part time or full time basis.
One aspect of provision we are keen to develop is a “Sensory Space”, for learners with special education needs including autism, ADHD and emotional and behavioural difficulties. Sensory spaces are rooms which have been specially designed, combining a range of stimuli to help engage the senses. They can include lights, colours, sounds, aromas and sensory play objects. The stimuli are held within a safe environment, which allows an individual to explore without feeling frightened or over-whelmed. Sensory spaces have been found to be beneficial for young people with a variety of special educational needs.
It is our aim to create a sensory space for our school. We have estimated that it will cost approximately £8,000 to develop our project and maintain it in the future. We are delighted to have the support of Run for Autism, who are going to part fund our Sensory Space. Sean Quinn, from Run for Autism, has been a long-time supporter of provision for autistic students in St. Paul’s and the wider the community.
To make up the shortfall in funding, the students and staff of St. Paul’s Learning Support Centre are organising a Fund-Raising Quiz on Wednesday 23rd May in the Yellow Heifer at 7.30pm Camlough. On the night the Quiz Master will be Mr. Harry Collins (Year 10 student) with the help of Mr. Gerard McMahon. There will be a raffle, and we have had a wide range of prizes donated from local businesses. We would like to thank all the businesses who have supported this endeavour and we look forward to seeing you all there on the night.
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