Immersive Classroom launched at Belfast’s W5 to support NI school children

Paul Givan, Education Minister alongside Victoria Denoon (W5), Brian Morrissey (BT) and Frances Meehan (EA) with Torbank School and Clifton School

A new state-of-the-art Immersive Classroom has officially opened at W5 in Belfast, offering a revolutionary educational experience for school children and young people across Northern Ireland.

Developed through a partnership between the Education Authority (EA), BT, and W5, the facility was formally opened by Education Minister Paul Givan and is designed to provide dynamic, inclusive and sensory-based learning for all school sectors—especially those with additional learning needs.

The cutting-edge, 5G-enabled classroom uses advanced visual and sensory technologies including HD projection, sound, light and even scent to transport pupils into virtual scenarios, both real and imagined.

The experience is further enhanced by compatibility with VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and XR (Extended Reality) systems.

Prioritising inclusion and accessibility

Pupil from Clifton School experiences the Immersive Classroom

Three days per week will be exclusively allocated to Special Schools and specialist provisions, with free access, ensuring meaningful support for young people with special educational needs (SEN). All Northern Ireland schools can access the facility as part of their educational visits to W5.

Victoria Denoon, Head of W5, described the initiative as “an exciting step forward in the integration of technology and education”, adding:

“This state-of-the-art multi-sensory environment offers a dynamic and inclusive Classroom where pupils can engage with bespoke content tailored to their individual learning needs and styles.”

Frances Meehan, Director of the Education Authority’s EdIS (Education Information Solutions) Programme, welcomed the collaboration:

“The EA’s invaluable partnerships with BT and W5 have had a transformative impact on education delivery in Northern Ireland… We are especially excited about the potential of the Immersive Classroom to enrich learning experiences for our SEN pupils.”

Immersive technology for education

The room features a comprehensive content library, with thousands of pre-programmed environments and experiences—from realistic field trips to imaginative simulations—and schools will have the ability to create and stream their own interactive content using a 360° camera provided by BT.

Brian Morrissey, Head of Government and Education, BT Northern Ireland, said:

“Immersive Classrooms offer a unique opportunity for people to have fully customisable interactive experiences… This can be particularly impactful for supporting learning and experiences for school children and can be tailored to meet the requirements of those with additional needs.”

The Classroom is supported by EE’s 4G and 5G networks, allowing content to be downloaded or streamed live into the room from real-world locations. It forms part of BT’s wider social value contribution under the EdIS Wireless Project, which has already delivered advanced wireless connectivity to more than 1,100 Northern Ireland schools.

A milestone for NI education

Pupil from Torbank School experiences the Immersive Classroom

Education Minister Paul Givan highlighted the transformative potential of the facility:

“New technologies are helping to transform how we live and learn, and it is vital that our children, young people and educators have the skills to harness its potential… The use of immersive technology will provide an exciting and important resource to enrich education for all our children and young people in Northern Ireland.”

The Immersive Classroom is based in W5, Northern Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. W5 already offers more than 250 STEM-based exhibits, interactive workshops, and science shows designed to spark curiosity in learners of all ages.

Schools interested in booking the facility from September 2025 can get in touch via educationqueries@w5online.co.uk.

Dedicated open days for educators to explore the space will be held in the new school term.