Last month the SENSE team had a great couple of weeks visiting SEND schools across Cumbria. We were faced with the challenge of snow fall and freezing cold temperatures, but it didn’t stop us from making our way across the Cumbrian countryside. We were lucky enough to pass through Grasmere, Ambleside, Kendal, Barrow- In- Furness, Ulverston and we also made a trip up to Whitehaven.
The staff in the schools we visited are truly committed to enhancing the lives of the pupils. They are also dedicated to helping their educational journey along the way. We met with pupils and staff in PMLD classes who were following sensory curriculum, pupils with Autism who were following the national curriculum and also classes with mixed ability who were following a curriculum tailored to their needs and ability.
The specialist provisions our team visited are inspirational, with state of the art facilities to enhance the learning journey. The schools had facilities such as:
– Large outside play areas, with specialist equipment for outdoors activities and play. This benefits the pupils socially and mentally as movement of any type is great for physical and mental health.
– Sensory rooms with adjustable lights, sounds, and touch. Sensory rooms can help improve the pupils visual, auditory and tactile processing, as well as fine and gross motor skills.
– Calming rooms for challenging behaviour, this can take a pupil away from the busy classroom and can be a chance for the brain to consolidate existing connections, and build new ones that can help overcome challenges.
– Soft play rooms that can be a safe space to play and is a great chance for the pupils to relax and enjoy themselves.
– Hydro pools – for pupils to be able to relax if they have tightened muscles, and encourage feeling free, water therapy can also be a calming sensory activity.
– Cooking rooms to learn about nutrition and feel the accomplishment of creating something from scratch.
– Gyms with specialist adapted equipment for pupils with physical disabilities to join in gym classes and movement sessions. Physical activity can also help to improve social skills and mental health.
Driving across Cumbria is always a pleasure for the team, seeing the lakes and the landscape especially at this time of year as they look beautiful in the snow. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the coast and the schools in those areas, what a difference the fresh sea air makes. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was visiting our staff who are working in the schools. Seeing them working hard to support and improve the learning journey of the pupils is great.
Cumbria is one of the most visited counties for outdoor activities, and with improvements in outdoor facilities for young people and Adults with SEND, its great that young people and adults with disabilities can take part.
