For all children, playing outside has a big impact on physical, cognitive, brain, social and emotional development.
But for pupils with SEND, the need for outdoor play can be more acute. (SEND, or special educational needs and disabilities, children have learning difficulties or disabilities making it harder for them to learn or access education than most youngsters their age. This group encompasses cognitive, physical, sensory and communication impairments.)
Why SEND pupils benefit from outdoor play
The many benefits to outdoor play for children with SEND include developing key motor skills, strength and coordination. If kids climb, swing and balance, for example, this can be particularly advantageous.
The sensory stimulation involved can also be important, so if these elements form part of your outside play areas, for example textured surfaces, sensory gardens and so on, this promotes cognitive development. A child with sensory sensitivities can explore their senses away from the classroom.
At the same time, when playing outside, children have the chance to interact socially with their peers and develop social skills in a supportive setting. Equally, being outdoors promotes freedom, independence and emotional wellbeing. For pupils with SEND in particular, being outside is calming and brings down levels of stress and anxiety.
Why many are still struggling
In December 2024, the government announced £740m in capital investment to create more specialist places in mainstream rather than special schools, a move which will affect thousands of pupils. It is part of a move to get more SEND pupils to (in their words) ‘achieve and thrive in mainstream schools’. The funding is aimed at making classrooms more accessible for pupils with SEND, and creating more specialist facilities in mainstream settings.
But in November, the National Audit Office reported that efforts to make mainstream schools more inclusive in recent times had only seen ‘limited’ progress. And many SEND pupils still struggle to enjoy the same opportunities as their peers, whether that’s because they need specialist transport and constant supervision or for any other reason.
So all schools are having to think more than previously about their offering to pupils with SEND.
How school canopies can help children with SEND
For pupils with SEND, an outdoor canopy can prove especially beneficial, either for playing or learning or as somewhere to have lunch, all while being protected from the elements.
The positives include:
- Having a quiet area where any child who feels overwhelmed can go to feel calmer.
- The opportunities for sensory experiences including touch, smell, sight and sound.
- Learning provision – in a way that helps with mood, concentration and stress.
School canopies for all pupils from Kensington Systems
At Kensington Systems, we supply school canopies for a variety of purposes and have been providing our products with an exceptional level of service for more than 30 years. Our extensive line-up of products provides your students, including those with SEND, more space in which to learn, play, eat and socialise.
Our Spaceshade® enclosed canopies protect everyone whatever the weather’s doing, and there are options including toughened glass, impact-resistant polycarbonate and so on to create a robust structure. Our outdoor learning and playground canopies are easy to customise, with different colours available for roofs and frames providing sensory stimulation.
We’ll be with you on your project from start to finish, while all groundworks are included as standard. We’re also here to help with leasing options and advice on funding. What’re more, our frames come with a 25-year warranty, plus they’re highly secure and easy to maintain.
All our installers are DBS-checked, giving you confidence that your more vulnerable students will be safe at all times.
Get in touch – and book your free site survey today.
