Stanley School and Pensby Primary Sensory Garden

Ainsley Gommon worked together with Wirral Council and Stanley School and Pensby School on the creation of a new sensory garden, located at the heart of their school building. The previously under utilised central space within the school, now provides a wonderful outside sensory space for all pupils to enjoy.

A pathway circulates the perimeter of the garden, broken up with textural areas formed from Scottish cobbles and York stone setts, providing sensory experience underfoot.

New musical panels are located along the pathway, offering opportunities for sound and noise experiences and interaction. The addition of a shiny, spherical water feature also provides visual, touch and sound experiences for the children.

A raised planter to one side of the garden is planted with jungle themed plants, providing safe visual, touch and sound experiences. Herbs provide opportunities for safe tasting, and the choice of plants provides year round interest to enhance the visual senses.

Contrasting, brightly coloured jungle themed animals and foot prints have been printed on to the perimeter pathway, to reinforce the planted jungle theme. Other painted images on the ground help to encourage interactive play.

A central artificial grass oval shape provides year round use, allowing the children the opportunity to play in all weathers. A brightly coloured shade sail adds height interest to the garden space, and provides important shade for the children to play while being protected from the sun.