THE launch of a sensory garden at Dromore Primary School supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland emphasises the importance of creativity in the education of young people. The sensory garden is the result of a four-month collaboration between Dromore Primary School and Dromore Playgroup teachers, Key Stage 1 pupils and local artists. It provides a full range of arts activities enabling children to develop self-expression skills and imaginative exploration.

The sensory garden which comprises of a musical, water and sands features, a quiet listening space, a touch zone, a magical wardrobe and a taste and smell area has allowed Dromore Primary School to use its curriculum creatively to provide greater access to the arts for young people.

Gavin O'Connor of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland says the venture underlines the Arts Council's assertion that art transforms education and contributes to creative learning:

"Artistic expression is a key tool for children to learn, interact and develop. The Arts Council place high priority on developing the provision of and access to creative opportunities for children in early years. Indeed, the Creative Youth Partnerships initiative was introduced to provide more opportunities for young people to participate in the arts within the education sector. We have fostered many links with a range of early years providers including Dromore Primary School to support environments in which children are encouraged to express their natural creativity."

A recent report published by the Arts Council England recommends that to provide all children with the best opportunity for creative development, practitioners should give particular attention to working alongside artists and other creative adults.

Local artists, Genevieve Murphy and John Kelly collaborated with the primary school and play group. During one term the artists visited the school on a weekly basis and introduced the children to materials and innovative scenarios that they had never experienced before, for example water features produced from melted copper beads. The young people also contributed to the plans for the sensory garden.

Aurel Turner, Dromore Primary School said, "The opening of the Sensory Garden is a very important occasion for us. This initiative, which displays the art work of children, reflects a modern approach to early years' education. This permanent resource showcases how a child's imagination can be transformed into remarkable pieces of art."

Barry Mulholland, WELB Chief Executive, said, ''The new sensory garden at Dromore Primary School is a wonderful facility which will undoubtedly give pupils who use it every opportunity to expand their imagination beyond the constraints of the classroom. The new sensory garden is a great adventure for both pupils and staff and will complement the excellent facilities here and allow the teachers to continue their excellent work in a way that is both rewarding and fun.''