The Rebecca Cheetham Early Excellence Centre has a high ratio of children with English as an additional language. To help overcome language barriers, the Centre hit upon a novel idea to use their grounds to develop the language and communication skills of their pupils, while also helping to deliver the early learning goal ‘The World Around Us’.
How the Sensory Tree took shape: Through visits to various exhibitions, including the Tate Modern and the Henry Moore Exhibition, the children were gradually introduced to the concept of sculpture. They then made their own plasticine creations and texture plates, which were incorporated into the final design of the Sensory Tree. Early in 2003, the plan took shape and blossomed into a Sensory Tree sculpture, which is now a permanent interactive structure within the grounds. The sculpture is made from materials that require little maintenance and will weather naturally.
The project was led by the Chair of Governors and has had the full support and backing of the staff at the school. Parents have been involved throughout. Display boards and suggestion sheets were set up for parents’ comments. Parents have been actively involved in fundraising and attended trips with the children to the sculpture exhibitions. The sensory tree sculpture was designed and built by Signs of Life, a local community arts and design group. Members of the group were given a brief, which they worked through with children, staff, governors and parents.
Touching, listening and looking at and through the sculpture are actively encouraged, as it develops a sense of the natural and manmade world around them. The children had already been exploring the senses through classroom activities, but now the sensory tree encourages them to continue to explore their senses outside as well, and to hone their communication skills through play. |
