Based in Barnsley and part of the United Learning Trust, Hunningley Primary Academy is a school for pupils aged three to eleven. With their new contemporary immersive classroom and high-quality resources, learning is brought to life, providing new experiences and helping pupils retain and recall information. The space is used to enhance teaching across all subjects and has played a key role in Hunningley’s journey from being rated ‘Good and Improving’ by Ofsted in 2021 to ‘Outstanding’ in 2023.

Hunningley Primary Academy approached Aurora by Osborne Technologies to investigate the potential use of an immersive or sensory space within their school. The school identified the need for an additional learning space to provide engagement and fulfilment for pupils across the curriculum. An Aurora immersive classroom provides an experiential learning environment offering a captivating space for pupils to fully immerse themselves into lessons, bringing their subjects to life.

Staff members from Hunningley Primary Academy had previous experience of another Aurora project installed at a neighbouring school within the borough. As part of the process, Osborne Technologies provided a demonstration of the full capabilities of an Aurora immersive space. Following the demonstration with staff and pupils and feedback on their experience, it was clear that an immersive classroom was the way forward.

The next steps were to find a suitable space within the school to transform. By working with Osborne Technologies, the school had peace of mind that the project would be fully managed from start to finish, including all planning, building works, electrics, plastering, decoration and hardware installation.

Once they identified a room for the project, it was time to design the new space to meet their specific requirements. Osborne Technologies began converting a multi-purpose teaching space into a fully immersive classroom. With a design agreed, the team began the process of delivering the project on behalf of the school.

When you walk into the immersive classroom, it’s immediately obvious the room is a cross-curricular space, used from nursery all the way up to year six. They are also working with their Special Educational Needs Coordinator to devise a programme of calming content which can help SEN students. In December 2023, Father Christmas visited the immersive classroom when staff transformed it into Santa’s Grotto. In the future Hunningley wants to open its doors to other local schools so their students can also benefit from the immersive classroom.