Parents, pupils and special guests attended the grand opening of a sensory room at a Newham school developed with an �8000 donation from London City Airport.

The room at Drew Primary School in Silvertown also benefited from voluntary construction work by the airport’s main building contractor AA Lovegrove.

The London City Airport Sensory Room gives children with learning difficulties the chance to explore and develop their senses and skills, benefiting the whole community. Special guests at the opening event, held recently, included the school’s parent group, members of the Airport’s Consultative Committee (LCACC), airport employees and local councillors. All were given the opportunity to see the newly developed sensory room and learn about how the equipment can be of benefit to the school and the local community.

Natasha Scott, Head teacher at the school said: “The London City Airport Sensory Room will enrich the curriculum for our special needs children and allow the school to provide these vulnerable children with an improved provision. We are grateful to London City Airport for their continued support in helping Drew Primary School and the children of Silvertown.”

Richard Gooding, CEO of the airport, who officially opened the room, said: “We are pleased to be able to help Drew Primary School with this project as they are the Airport’s local school and we have a very long standing relationship with them. The Room is an excellent addition to the school and we hope it will be enjoyed by the whole community”.

The airport has worked closely with Drew Primary School for many years, as part of its education excellence programme aimed at improving the skills and aspirations of young people in the local area. Its building contractor, AA Lovegrove, contributed towards the project by providing trained volunteers to decorate the sensory room.