New Government Funding Boosts SEND Support in Schools

In December 2024, the UK government announced that £740 million of its £6.7 billion education budget would be used to fund the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools. While many authorities plan to use this public funding to increase the accessibility of school buildings with physical adaptations such as accessible bathrooms and handrails, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has highlighted the need for more “specialist provision for children with the most complex needs.”

For over three decades, Experia has championed the inclusion of individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other additional needs through bespoke sensory solutions. It is our sincerest hope that this investment makes it possible for SEND pupils to access innovative solutions and that more local government resources are committed to developing multi-sensory spaces in schools. 

Facilitating the inclusion of SEND pupils in mainstream environments can be challenging, especially when you consider how varied sensory needs are from one child to the next. Over the last decade, three quarters of primary schools have reduced their number of teaching assistants, making it increasingly difficult to meet the specific requirements of SEND children.

We appreciate that many schools might be inclined to use their government grant to reinstate lost teaching assistants, but in the interest of safeguarding the needs of future SEND pupils, we believe that funding an innovative sensory solution is a better course of action. At Experia, we specialise in designing multi-sensory environments that can adapt to the unique needs of each user, such that each student has their own experience depending on how they engage with the space.

From calming experiences with bubble tubes and soft fibre optic lighting to interactive elements such as wall panels and dynamic projection systems, sensory rooms provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to self-regulate and develop essential skills. Some of the developmental opportunities provided by sensory spaces include: 

• Improved focus and engagement: Spending time in a dedicated sensory space enables students to recalibrate, putting them in a better position to engage with lessons later in the school day.
• Enhanced emotional regulation: The controlled environment provided by these spaces supports students in managing their emotions, contributing to a more harmonious school experience.

Inclusivity for all abilities: Our flagship range of IRiS Wireless controls gives your users the freedom to interact with their environment, empowering them regardless of their physical or mental capacity. 

Experia has had the privilege of working with numerous mainstream and special schools in the UK and abroad, improving the accessibility of their buildings for their SEND pupils through our tailored sensory strategies. Previous partnerships include Polden Bower School in Somerset, where we installed multiple sensory spaces to accommodate the complex needs of their 160 students. These included an immersive space, a traditional sensory room and a soft play area for developing gross motor skills. 

Helen Farnell, Executive Headteacher at Polden Bower, described our service as “First Class!” and highlighted the collaborative approach we take: “We talked openly to the team at Experia about the use of the space and the experiences we wanted to create. They actively listened and worked with us to create the best.”

This latest government grant is undoubtedly a significant step forward for SEND inclusion, and we hope to see similar funding for innovative solutions in the future. At Experia, we are committed to helping schools implement tailored solutions that empower their SEND pupils to reach their full potential. Unlike many providers, Experia manufactures our own sensory equipment in the UK, enabling us to create bespoke sensory rooms suited to your space and requirements.

For more information about our room design service or to discuss how our sensory solutions could benefit your school, get in touch with us so that we can help you to create a space that truly supports your students’ needs.