Former Paralympian and Birmingham City University Chancellor Ade Adepitan officially opened a new sensory room at Fairfax Academy, hailing the facility as “absolutely brilliant”.
Ade cut the ribbon on Thursday 9 July to launch the room, the final addition to the school’s Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) centre.
The centre, funded by a £39,600 grant from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, supports students who struggle with emotional regulation, mental wellbeing or behavioural challenges.
The sensory room is fitted with colourful equipment designed to calm or stimulate the senses, giving students a dedicated space to reset during the school day.
Ade said: “What I’ve seen today was absolutely brilliant. I’m really impressed by the facilities.
“These can be tough times for families, especially those with SEND kids, so to have this kind of facility at the school is amazing. It’s going to vastly improve students’ lives and give them the space they need to relax and improve their mental health.”
The project has transformed the SEMH space, adding a raised ceiling, new furniture and two quiet pods where students can study in privacy.
Above the pods is an inspirational quote from Ade, who won gold at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester during his wheelchair basketball career.
It says: “We can all be superheroes, no matter who we are or where we’re from.”
Principal Sean Castle described the opening as “a great day for Fairfax”.
He said: “This facility is about breaking down barriers in education and offering another avenue of support, so students can take a break from the curriculum, regulate and then readily access lessons again afterwards.
“It’s an important thing to promote equality so all students can make the most of their education. As a recognised champion of equality, Ade was the perfect person to open the room. He really aligns with our values as a Trust, and we’re so grateful for his support.”
The SEMH centre gives students somewhere to reset when they feel overwhelmed by the noise and bustle of lessons or school life.