Special Educational Needs and Disabilities  is a term used to describe any child or young person who has a difficulty with their learning. This could be due to a mental health issue, hearing or visual impairment, emotional and behavioural difficulties or speech and language problems.

In the UK pupils are identified as having SEND when they have been assessed by their school and it is considered that they need more support in order to make good progress. Schools have a legal responsibility to assess and track SEND pupils in their care and this information is recorded on a central database called the SEN register. This can be accessed by parents and carers via the local authority’s website.

Assistive Technology for SEND: Tools That Make a Difference in Learning

It is important to realise that just because a child has a difficulty with their learning, it does not necessarily mean that they have a disability. Under the Equality Act, someone is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term impact on their ability to carry out normal daily activities.

There are a range of different ways that SEND can be supported in school and it is important that all pupils, regardless of their level of SEN or disability, have access to the same opportunities. Schools can support students with SEND by providing them with a range of services and support, such as one to one tuition or group work, as well as specialist resources, equipment or adapted classrooms. This is known as inclusive teaching and is promoted by the national government through its SEND code of practice.

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wet pour is a high-quality rubber safety surface that provides excellent impact absorption for children who fall on equipment such as swings or slides. It also protects them from bruising and swelling following an injury. Wet pour is a popular choice for schools as it can be installed quickly and easily over existing concrete or tarmac, and can be laid in any pattern or colour that you would like.

It is a bit more expensive than wood chips and other synthetic surfaces, but once the initial investment is paid for, wet pour offers the best value for money. It doesn’t require regular top-ups or replacement and lasts much longer than other play surfaces, meaning that it requires less maintenance time overall.

Wet Pour Playground Surfacing: Creating Safe and Creative Play Spaces

The rubber granules used in wet pour are sourced from recycled material, which contributes to a more sustainable construction approach. The surfacing is also porous, allowing water to filter naturally through and reduce puddles and flood risk.

In addition to the superior durability of the wet pour, it is available in a wide range of colours and can be customized with patterns and unique graphics. This allows playground designers to create unique and engaging designs that appeal to children and encourage them to interact with their environment in new ways.

A downside of wet pour is that it can get quite hot, particularly in areas that are exposed to a lot of sunlight, so it is important to think about shading. It is also important to ensure that the sbr and EPDM granules used are of good quality, as poor-quality sbr can degrade and become toxic over time.

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