VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
195 children, meaning that access to it can be very limited. However, creating more requires considerable investment of both time and money.
With EduverseTHRIVE, each pupil can create their own virtual sensory space customised to suit their needs and preferences. Rooms can be saved and reopened at any time using QR code, making support quick and easy to access. As the space ‘lives’ in the ClassVR headset, we’d be able to bring the space to the child, rather than the child to the space, giving them more time in the classroom. EduverseTHRIVE is a tool that can efficiently and economically enable our teachers to intervene early, supporting children with self- regulation before they become dysregulated, whilst still tending to the needs of the wider class.
How are pupils using EduverseTHRIVE and in what situations has it had the greatest impact?
We have seen the greatest impact at transitional points during the day, such as break and lunch times. After spending time in a high-energy environment, some find it difficult to settle back into the classroom. EduverseTHRIVE allows them to take five minutes for themselves, regulate in their virtual sensory room, and return to learning with the calmness and concentration they need – all without leaving the classroom.
This enables teachers, as much as possible, to give every pupil equal time and attention, as little to no intervention is required. For learners, this also helps to protect their dignity as they can regulate discreetly, without feeling singled out or embarrassed in front of their classmates.
It’s also become an important early- intervention tool, particularly for our inclusion base and neurodivergent pupils. We’ve been
able to support them before they become completely dysregulated, and some are even beginning to independently recognise triggers. This includes even some of the hardest to reach children, which is incredible to witness. Perhaps the most significant impact has been on attendance. Last year, seven of our eight pupils receiving inclusion support were classified as persistently absent, meaning attendance had fallen below 90%. Since introducing new approaches, such as EduverseTHRIVE, none of these pupils have been persistently absent. We believe this is connected to pupils feeling more motivated, comfortable and supported. The impact of this extends far beyond attendance and learning, and feeds into their friendships, home life and overall understanding of themselves. While the virtual sensory rooms have already made a significant impact, we feel we’ve only just scratched the surface. We’re looking forward to exploring more of the immersive experiences that help pupils build confidence, develop empathy and navigate everyday situations, as well as the wider sensory environments that support independence and self-regulation. It’s exciting to think about how these resources could help even more pupils feel understood, included and ready to learn.
How easy has integrating EduverseTHRIVE into Water Meadows been for pupils? Introducing anything new into a child’s school day can take time, particularly for SEND learners. However, EduverseTHRIVE has integrated seamlessly into Water Meadows because it aligns closely with our values and the Trust’s forward-thinking approach to digital education.
Edtech is already an important part of our school, and pupils have been using ClassVR for a while now, so they are already familiar with the technology. That familiarity, combined
with EduverseTHRIVE’s intuitive, easy-to-use design, meant pupils quickly embraced the solution.
And what about for teachers? EduverseTHRIVE has been extremely easy for teachers to use. The technology is straightforward and resources can be easily uploaded to the headsets, making it simple to incorporate without creating additional workload.
Because ClassVR was already embedded within our curriculum, EduverseTHRIVE has felt like a natural extension of what teachers were already doing, rather than an entirely new system. Also, the positive impact on attendance enables them to do their jobs more effectively, as more pupils are present and learning together in one classroom.
Reflecting on the trial so far, what have been the biggest takeaways? If I had to summarise EduverseTHRIVE in one word, it would be empowering. It gives pupils greater ownership of their emotions and a better understanding of what they need to feel confident and ready to learn. It’s even engaged some of our hardest to reach children, enabling them to feel calm and relaxed, which could be completely transformative for them.
That’s been the most rewarding part. In a short space of time, we’ve seen pupils that struggle with sensory overload and feeling overwhelmed start to become more independent and better able to engage with learning. As an educator, this is incredibly empowering, as we can see first-hand the difference we are making to the lives of our learners, not just in the classroom, but also beyond it.
September 2026
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