Help Us Transform "The Base" into a Safe Haven for Our SEN Students!

Creating a truly inclusive and supportive environment starts with "The Base."

At The Cottesloe School, we are deeply committed to providing every student with the best possible learning environment. "The Base" is a crucial space for our students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and the dedicated staff who support them. It's a place where students find calm, receive tailored support, and feel a sense of belonging.

However, "The Base" is in need of a vital transformation. We are excited to announce our fundraising initiative to redesign and refurbish this essential area, turning it into a true safe haven that genuinely meets the diverse needs of our SEN students.

Empowering our students to design their own space!

What makes this project truly special is that we challenged our very own students to be the architects of this exciting renovation! They have poured their creativity and understanding into designing a plan that reflects what they need and want from "The Base." Their vision includes:

• Soft furnishings: To create comforting and inviting areas for relaxation and quiet reflection.
• Redecoration, including new carpets: A fresh, calming colour scheme and new flooring to enhance the atmosphere and reduce sensory overload.
• Modern, adaptable furniture: Flexible seating and workstations to support individual and group activities, promoting comfort and accessibility.
• A dedicated Sensory Room: a vital space equipped with resources to stimulate or calm senses, offering a tranquil retreat for students who need it.
• A calming Decompression Room: a quiet zone designed for students to regulate their emotions and find peace when feeling overwhelmed.
• A reorganised kitchen area: a more functional and accessible space for life skills development and preparing snacks.
• Removal of old canteen roller shutters: to open up the space, improve natural light, and create a more welcoming feel.
• Improved lighting: thoughtfully designed lighting to create a soothing and stimulating environment, adaptable to different needs.
• Careful consideration of colour: utilising specific colours known to promote calm, focus, and wellbeing throughout the unit.

Why is this transformation so important?

A refurbished BASE will:

• Enhance wellbeing: Provide a more comfortable and calming environment, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional regulation for our SEN students.
• Improve learning outcomes: Create an optimal space for focused learning, tailored interventions, and skill development.
• Foster independence: Support students in developing essential life skills in a practical and accessible setting.
• Strengthen community: Provide a welcoming and inclusive hub where students feel understood, supported, and valued.
• Support our dedicated staff: Offer an improved environment for our incredible SEN staff to deliver the best possible support.

Your donation will make a direct and lasting impact by:

• Creating a sanctuary: Providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring space for our SEN students.
• Empowering student voice: Bringing our students' thoughtful designs to life and showing them their ideas matter.
• Promoting inclusivity: Ensuring that all students have access to an environment that truly meets their individual needs.
• Investing in their future: Equipping our students with the confidence and skills to thrive both inside and outside of school.

Join us in creating a truly exceptional "Base" for our SEN students at The Cottesloe School. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Thank you for your incredible support!