According to the government’s own figures, the percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in England increased to 13.6% during the 2023-4 academic year, continuing a rise first noticed in 2016. In all, more than 150,000 young people attend SEN schools or colleges across the country – and the sector is reaching capacity while facing a number of significant funding challenges.
For all children, the benefits of engaging in regular physical activity are well documented, improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risk of becoming overweight and building bone and muscle strength. And this is especially true of children with SEN.
One of the issues is to ensure this group has equal opportunities to exercise and physical activity so that all children meet Government guidelines of at least a daily hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
6th February 2025
In addition to the physical benefits, there are mental benefits too. Regular exercise develops problem solving skills, increases concentration and academic achievement among children with SEN.
When children with SEN engage in physical activity in groups, especially when those groups include children without SEN, they have been found to develop important life skills including communication, sharing, and the ability to make and keep friends. Life skills that are crucial for developing strong and supportive social networks, gaining employment and living independently.
An outdoor gym provides a safe, inclusive space for all children to boost their physical and mental wellbeing. They are intuitive and fun to use, individually or in groups. Each product provides specific physical benefits, using simple, repetitive movement. They can be used throughout the school day, providing a space for children to exercise more and to regain composure ready for learning. In addition they support:
Yet despite the obvious benefits, many SEN pupils don’t always enjoy the same access to opportunities to exercise as their peers.
At leading provider Fresh Air Fitness, we aim to help put that right by supplying a broad line-up of solutions for those with special educational needs and disabilities of all ages, abilities and fitness levels across a wide range of environments. We help children and adults from mainstream and specialist schools, colleges, mental health trusts and other settings – but we treat each client as individual and unique. Plus we have a lot of expertise and experience in this area. We’ve been operating in the sector since 2007 and first produced outdoor gyms designed for children back in 2013.
We’ll be with you every step of the way, from the first site inspection through to design, production, fitting and post-installation care. We also offer surfacing solutions where needed – and equipment to suit wheelchair users. You can also use our equipment as part of a ‘trim trail’. What’s more, we’ll happily discuss funding possibilities, and have optional maintenance packages.
Finally, our equipment lasts a very long time, so we offer lengthy warranties covering the main structural parts of your outdoor gym as well as paintwork, bearings and accessories. But our full service also includes removing kit once it has reached the end of its life.
Read some success stories highlighting where we’ve excelled in the SEN sector. For example, the Parallel Learning Trust specialises in SEN and alternative education provision and, over three years, we installed outdoor machines to suit its very specific requirements at four of its schools. Solutions included both handpicked pieces and ready-made equipment packages.
All our equipment is designed and developed by sector experts, and rigorously tested. It’s specially sized for children and pieces aim to work all major muscle groups while boosting cardiovascular fitness, strength. flexibility, balance and coordination at the same time.
Popular choices in this group include the Air Skier, our accessible Arm and Pedal Bike, the Air Walker plus our T’ai Chi Spinners. Ask us about our outdoor exercising equipment for your SEN pupils. We currently have a number of offers on SEND gym equipment and if you would like a personalised or a free site survey, please get in touch with us.
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