The benefits to all children of engaging in regular physical exercise are well documented, from cardio-vascular fitness to the reduced risk of future obesity and enhanced muscle and bone strength. But for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), who typically experience poorer physical health outcomes than their peers and generally participate less often and in a narrower range of activities than others the same age, exercise is particularly important.
8th August 2024
For this group specifically, the potential advantages are vast, from enhanced problem-solving skills to better concentration and heightened academic attainment, plus reduced anxiety and stress. With group activities, verbal and non-verbal communication regularly improve, alongside the ability to make friends and share.
All of these skills are on top of the physical benefits of exercise, and will stand pupils in good stead later on in life. Equally, if children who have SEND take part in exercise with those who don’t, the latter group also benefits by developing increased tolerance and understanding.
Outdoor gyms provide sensory stimulation without being overwhelming. So these spaces often feel quieter, calmer and therefore safer to SEND pupils. Exercise shouldn’t feel daunting to anyone, and outdoor gyms minimise stress.
Our broad range of equipment helps develop coordination, flexibility, cardio fitness, muscular strength and spatial awareness through activities including cycling, swinging and balancing.
At leading, award-winning UK provider Fresh Air Fitness, we offer open-air gym solutions for children and young people with SEND aged between five and 25. We can cover this full age range by installing a gym in which half the equipment is child-sized and the other half is for adult use, or equipment specifically for pirmary years, or secondary and above.
Channels & Choices, a therapeutic fostering service, has its own school, The Sallygate School, in Essex. It admits both primary and secondary-aged children with special educational needs, including day students and boarders. The pieces we installed encourage a broad range of movement and challenges across the whole school, regardless of ability, so that those who choose to can exercise independently.
Similarly, the Parallel Learning Trust, which covers multiple academy schools in London and Essex, wanted to expand its outdoor activity offering. We worked with four of the trust’s schools to come up with pieces which suited their individual needs. The end results have delighted the schools at these sites.
Fresh Air Fitness currently has three offers on SEND equipment.
SEND OFFERS 1 & SEND OFFER 2 (INCLUSIVE)
The only difference between these two is that, while both have our popular arm and pedal bike, in the inclusive package the model is accessible to wheelchair users.
In both, you get six products from our range for adults, meaning they suit anyone aged 11 or older. Each item has been carefully chosen to give users access to a broad range of physical activities, and all are aimed at improving cardio strength, flexibility, muscle tone and coordination.
As well as the bike, in both case the package includes our:
SEND OFFER 3 - All-through Package
Our All-Through Package includes equipment suitable for children of primary school age and children 11+
For primary years a Children's Cardio Combi, Children's Arm & Pedal Bike, Children's Rider and Children's Double Cross Country Skier
For secondary years a Cardio Combi, Combination Chest Press and Pull Down Challenger, Arm & Pedal Bike and The Rider.
This package has been carefully selected to provide children with a range of physical exercises to increase cardio strength, muscular tone, flexibility and co-ordination and provides 16 user stations in total.
Our offers include everything you need from installation, delivery and aftercare, plus full instructions on getting the most out of the equipment. We can even help with advice on funding strategies as part of the overall service.
Get in touch today for an initial conversation, and to learn more.
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