SIS Briefer, Summer Term (1st Half) 2025
By Sensory Inclusive Schools, April 2025
Welcome to this half-termly briefing from Sensory Inclusive Schools. Sign up here if a colleague has forwarded this to you, so you never miss an issue.
How New Government Funding Can Help Your School Become Truly Inclusive
The UK government has announced a boost to its Plan for Change funding, supporting mainstream schools in creating more inclusive environments for students with SEND. This funding will help ensure that children’s needs are identified and met earlier while equipping early years and mainstream school staff with the tools and training to support every child effectively.
Beth Smithson, lead for Sensory Inclusive Schools, says:
"A universal approach means recognising that sensory processing affects everyone. When inclusion works for one, it benefits everyone."
A universal approach to sensory inclusivity ensures that all students benefit from small, thoughtful adjustments that make the learning environment and school day more accessible. Looking at the sensory inputs from the school environment (including everything from the dining hall and the toilets to the outside space), the transitions between lessons, the permission and opportunity to move and self-regulate, offering alternative seating, the practised way to remove oneself when feeling overwhelmed… these are all achievable steps towards improving students’ ability to engage in lessons.
Many schools want to make these changes, but aren’t sure where to start. That’s where Sensory Inclusive Schools can help.
Do you recognise any of these behaviours in your students? Perhaps you have a student who struggles to stay alert in class, takes longer to respond to instructions, or appears unaware of changes in temperature or pain. Or maybe you’ve noticed a student who covers their ears when a teacher speaks at a normal volume, avoids certain textures, or finds transitions between activities extremely difficult.
These behaviours may be signs of sensory modulation differences, where a student’s nervous system processes sensory input in ways that can significantly impact their ability to engage and participate in school life. Read on here...
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Explore the eight sensory systems, understand sensory processing differences, and discover their impact on daily life in this free short course. Access Here.
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Best wishes
Sensory Inclusive Schools Support Team
