b'Partner News Autumn 2023 29CorporateThe technology enables pupils to explore the environment in a way that is realistic, meaningful and funbut safely, where they can control their sensory inputs. The removal of risk by remaining in a safe place has helped pupils to gain confidence and independently undertake tasks in a variety of scenariosexperiencing the world but through bespoke scenarios. In addition, the technology provides teachers with new media to deliver training, enhancing their skills and providing them with a varied toolset to keep their lessons interesting, interactive and engaging. Building a more inclusive worldJo Bleasdale, Headteacher at Bettridge School said: Im blown away by the technology and knowing how it will build pupils confidence going from the virtual world to reality. The impact of this project has been far beyond what I imagined. Working in collaboration with the CGI team we have really delivered what we set out to achieve and it is great to have worked in CGI helps Specialpartnership with a local organisation.CGI is proud of being a responsible business and is committed to building Educational Needsa more inclusive and sustainable world. As part of CGIs responsible business commitment, it aims to build relationships students safely navigatewith the communities in which CGI members live and work. This is done through employees activities such as new experiencesvolunteering, fundraising and pro-bono initiatives that use their technical knowledge to enable, benefit and create a positive impact on local communities.Patrick Hutchings, Senior Vice President For most of us, a visit to the localdigital capture of their store so that studentsConsulting Services for Secure Innovation supermarket is an everyday occurrencecould safely investigate it in a realistic andand Advisory at CGI, said: It has been but for some students at Bettridge School,meaningful manner.wonderful to see pupils really benefitting a Community Special School for studentsand enjoying using our VR application with Special Educational Needs, it can beThe concept is designed to developand the difference its making to their a confusing and stressful experience. Theindependence and reduce pupils anxietieseducation. school wanted to safely present socialwhile being easy and comfortable to use and situations and commonplace daily eventsincludes features for control of the sensoryPart of CGIs culture is to build to students, which is a vital part of theirneeds of each pupil, such as sound and visionrelationships with the communities in education.adjustments. The application accommodateswhich we live and work. This pro-bono students with different abilities to exploreproject was put forward by one of our Working with teaching staff at the school,scenarios of varying complexitieseitheremployees who identified an application CGI created a virtual reality (VR) environmentteacher-guided or student-driven dependingof our technology that could make a real in a pro-bono project by developing a webon their specific needs and objectives.difference to the schools pupils. We hope and virtual reality application.The application also enables the school toto build on this very successful example directly build new scenarios in the future.with other schools and groups.A team from CGIs Emerging Technology Lab in Gloucester delivered the applicationBettridge is now using VR as a safe spaceFor further information on the project, using imagery captured from 360-degreefor pupils to gain new experiences beforeplease email enquiry.uk@cgi.comcameras. A local Tesco supermarket enabledprogressing into the real-world equivalent.'