Special academy garden transformed by volunteers

The new look space at Kingsley Special Academy was built in four days entirely by volunteers

Volunteers have modified an "unusable" site into a garden area and sensory space for students at a special academy.

The "multi-use zone" was created at Kingsley Special Academy in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire.

The area now has an obstacle course, a newly covered seating area and a sensory area.

One of the teachers, Harriet Long, described the renovation as a "amazing space" for children "to learn in".

Before the renovation, the site in the academy was just a mud and stone pit in need of an upgrade

The project took four days and 18 volunteers, with some of the materials used donated from local suppliers.

The garden is now being used by the students and can be used as an educational space in "all weathers."

Ms Long added: "We have a lot of non-verbal students and we can tell engagement... through their body language and facial expressions.

"You could see their eyes darting about in excitement and were ready to explore. [That] shows us their enjoyment and pleasure."

Parent Korjeet Nagra said her non-verbal daughter was more "confident" after using the sensory area

Parent Korjeet Nagra said the new space was "really really valuable" for her non-verbal daughter as it kept her "happy and focused and ready for learning".

Ms Nagra added the area had "definitely" made a difference to her daughter's wellbeing and has brought her "so much confidence".