Woodlea Primary School is spending £180,000 on renovations this term including a sensory room and an immersive corridor based on the Amazon jungle.

The school in Atholl Road, Whitehill, joined the University of Chichester Academy Trust last week and the trust secured most of this funding.

The sensory room, to be called The Sunset Sanctuary, will be a haven for pupils and will promote well-being. It will also be available to staff after school.

It has windows on three sides that will have sunset murals on the glass, producing a warm glow when the sun shines. It will contain a sensory den, bubble tubes, beanbags and glow pebbles, plus stories linked to well-being.

This year Woodlea has established a well-being team for children and staff, promoting well-being strategies during the school day and ideas to support parents and carers in their weekly newsletter.

The immersive corridor will help pupils experience the awe and wonder of nature.

Walking through it will transport children to the Amazon rainforest, with a photographic mural of trees and animals on both sides, with quotes from inspirational people who are passionate about the environment, and facts about the environment.

Improvements are being made to the school’s entrance, perimeter fence, security and fire systems, and structure. There will be new carpets and mats throughout.

Woodlea recently spent £100,000 on renovating the library and the trust provided Woodlea with more than 60 new iPads.

Headteacher Abigail Oliver said: “These new improvements are a clear sign of the impact that joining the University of Chichester Academy Trust is already having on Woodlea.”

Trust chief executive Jennese Alozie added: “Abigail, our new headteacher, is on a mission to make Woodlea one of the best schools in the area, and these new renovations and facilities will be a key factor in helping her do this.”