Danecourt Special School
Osborne Technologies' Aurora Immersive Classroom and Sensory Rooms for SEN Education
About Danecourt Special School
Danecourt Special School, part of the Maritime Academy Trust, is a primary school dedicated to supporting children with special educational needs. The school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential.
With 160 staff members, the team at Danecourt is committed to creating innovative and engaging learning experiences that meet the individual needs of their pupils.
The Opportunity
The idea for an immersive classroom at Danecourt began in 2000 when staff saw an online demonstration showcasing the potential of immersive learning environments. The school quickly recognised the opportunity to enhance its curriculum and began fundraising to bring the concept to life. The vision was to use immersive technology to support communication, develop oracy, and help pupils build functional life skills through safe, simulated experiences before venturing into real-world settings.
Alongside immersive learning, there was a clear need for bespoke sensory rooms that could support emotional regulation, sensory exploration, and wellbeing for pupils with a wide range of needs. Danecourt wanted calm, safe spaces where children could identify and respond to their sensory preferences, helping them feel settled, confident, and ready to learn.
The Process
Danecourt chose Aurora for their reputation, high-quality installations, and user-friendly technology. The Aurora tablet control system was a key factor, offering staff simple and intuitive control of every room’s sensory and immersive elements.
The design process was collaborative and straightforward, with Aurora’s team working closely with staff to tailor each space to the specific needs of different cohorts. Installation of all four rooms was carried out smoothly by Aurora’s DBS-checked professionals, ensuring minimal disruption to the school’s daily routine. The team’s flexibility and responsiveness were praised, particularly their willingness to make last-minute adjustments and share advice from other schools using similar technology.
The Concept
Three-Wall Projection
Three-Wall Projection
The 270-degree projection system uses three walls to create a panoramic visual experience, surrounding users with dynamic, high-definition imagery. Ideal for interactive storytelling, simulations, or environmental immersion, it transforms any room into a multi-dimensional sensory space that captivates and engages participants.
Three Projectors
Three Projectors
Large format stitched projection enables users to be fully immersed into real world and virtual environments. Using Ultra HD projection hardware across multiple surfaces, including walls and floors, we create an experiential learning space, which engages and inspires learners of all abilities.
Audio System
Audio System
An audio system offering high-fidelity soundscapes that amplify the immersive experience. Designed to deliver crystal-clear audio, it enhances engagement through ambient sounds, music, and directional audio cues, creating a fully enveloping atmosphere.
Aurora Console
Aurora Console
The Aurora console is designed for simplicity and ease of use within sensory and immersive spaces. This tablet-based app provides effortless control over every element in the room. Its intuitive interface eliminates the need for technical expertise, allowing anyone to easily adjust lighting, audio, and environmental settings.
Control Unit
Control Unit
The control unit hardware is a compact, discreet hub at the heart of the immersive system, managing communication between all connected devices. Built for reliability and performance, it ensures seamless operation of projection, lighting, and audio elements, keeping every aspect of the sensory experience perfectly synchronised.
PC Screen
PC Screen
A high-resolution computer screen provides a clear interface for managing and monitoring room activity. Ideal for configuration, playback, and content control, it offers precise visual feedback and real-time performance information.
Dynamic Lighting
Dynamic Lighting
A dynamic lighting solution that transforms the user experience by extending video content beyond the screen and into the room. The unique video-to-light software, combined with large-format projection, seamlessly transforms the space, immersing users into the environment.
Multi-Scent Diffuser
Multi-Scent Diffuser
Sense of smell is the sense most linked to emotional recollection. Dry and nebulised scent systems enable the diffusion of multiple scents to engage, enhance and reinforce the user experience within an immersive environment.
Underfloor Vibration
Underfloor Vibration
A dynamic acoustic resonance system that provides tactile feedback from audio content via low frequency resonators installed under the floor. This further immerses users into an environment that provides experiential learning.
Wind Machine
Wind Machine
The element of wind introduces a realistic sense of movement and atmosphere by generating controlled airflows. From gentle breezes to gusty winds, it can simulate natural weather conditions or dynamic effects, enriching the immersive experience and providing an added layer of sensory engagement.
Modern, Inclusive and Innovative
As part of the school's vision for a modern, inclusive, and innovative learning environment, Aurora collaborated with a modular build company to deliver a purpose-built outdoor structure housing the immersive classroom. The partnership ensured the space was safe, flexible, and fully integrated with the immersive technology.
The Solution
The completed project includes one immersive classroom and three multi-sensory rooms, each designed with a distinct purpose and tailored to the pupils who use them. All spaces are controlled via a tablet-based app, making them quick and easy to set up based on individual sensory preferences.
The Results
"Tremendous enthusiasm and valued experiences."
Lou Elliott - Assistant Headteacher
The immersive and sensory spaces have transformed learning and engagement at Danecourt. The pupils have shown tremendous enthusiasm for the new facilities, with many returning to sessions and even attempting to sneak into the immersive classroom during playtime. A clear sign of how valued the experience has become.
Key Benefits
The immersive classroom has been used for a variety of learning experiences and themed activities:
Curriculum Launches
Each term’s new topic begins in the immersive room, such as the “Let’s Explore!” theme where pupils virtually travel the world, experiencing different cultures, music, and landmarks.
Immersive Storytelling
For autistic pupils with complex communication needs, stories like The Gruffalo and Stick Man came alive, helping vocal engagement and emotional connection.
Memorable Experiences
Classes enjoy controlled firework shows and bonfire scenes, allowing students to participate calmly and safely without the unpredictability of real noise.
- Lou Elliott, Danecourt Special School, Assistant HeadteacherThe children have absolutely adored the space – using it for immersive Winter Wonderland experiences before Christmas and curriculum topics such as ‘Let’s Explore!’ which saw children travelling to different cultures and seeing the Wonders of the World.
- Cathryn Falconer, HeadteacherWe are really happy. Aurora have listened to exactly what we wanted and created a provision that will meet the needs of our children.
- Lou Elliott, Danecourt Special School, Assistant HeadteacherSome of our autistic learners with complex communication needs have found pleasure and their voice in seeing Julia Donaldson’s books come to life. They were also spotted trying to sneak into the classroom during playtimes!
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