Creating a Culture of Inclusion: Dance and Fitness in Schools
Inclusive Movement. Real Impact. Every Child.
Synergy Dance® delivers specialist SEND dance classes, inclusive yoga sessions and adaptive PE provision for schools across the UK. We provide high-quality SEND after-school clubs, lunchtime enrichment, curriculum PE delivery and SEND holiday provision, designed to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), EHCPs and additional learning needs.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of dance, yoga and fitness – regardless of ability, diagnosis or mobility level.
SEND Clubs, After-School Programmes & Specialist Workshops Across the UK
We work with:
- SEND and Specialist schools
- Mainstream schools with SEN support
- Alternative provision settings
- Specialist units and resource bases
- Outreach centres, community hubs
- Charities
Currently supporting schools across England, including Surrey, Sussex, Essex, London, Kent, Birmingham, Manchester and surrounding areas, our inclusive movement programmes improve physical health, emotional wellbeing, engagement and confidence.
If you are looking to book SEND dance provision for your school, we offer a fully managed, specialist service.
See a SEND class in action – when BBC South came to film us for Comic Relief
What We Deliver in Schools
We offer flexible, specialist SEND provision throughout the school day and beyond:
SEND PE Curriculum Delivery
Inclusive dance, yoga and movement embedded within curriculum time. We provide flexible, high or low impact SEND enrichment activities. Adaptive physical education embedded within curriculum time, supporting EHCP outcomes and inclusive PE strategies.
SEND After School & Lunchtime Clubs
Engaging, confidence-building clubs tailored to your pupils. adaptive physical education embedded within curriculum time, supporting EHCP outcomes and inclusive PE strategies. Dance and movement, yoga and Fitness clubs designed to increase participation, reduce anxiety and improve social interaction. Other specialist options include Musical Theatre, Street and Hip Hop or Commercial Dance.
Breakfast & Wraparound Care
“Movers & Shakers” morning clubs and structured breakfast clubs and after-school enrichment, in person or pre-recorded classes. Morning movement sessions to improve focus and readiness to learn.
Pre-recorded digital bundles of lessons
Lessons on demand for use in school and/or practice at home
Themed Workshops
Eg – International Dance Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, Wellbeing week, Gruffalo, RE-based dance, cultural celebrations and bespoke topics.
One-to-One & Small Group Support
In partnership with SENCOs to support individual EHCP outcomes. Targeted movement sessions for children during school time.
SEND Holiday Provision & HAF Delivery
Inclusive, specialist holiday workshops and full-day enrichment programmes. Specialist SEND and Local Authority HAF delivery supporting inclusive participation during school breaks.
Staff Wellbeing & Yoga
Yoga and movement sessions supporting whole-school wellbeing and staff resilience.
SEND CPD & Workforce Training
CIMSPA-endorsed SEND inclusive training for teachers (8 CPD points) delivered in partnership with Future Fit Training.
Inclusive CPD training for your school:
Our inclusive-training programmes developed with Future-Fit-Training/CIMSPA, equip coaches across sport/dance/yoga/fitness to confidently support neurodivergent children and those with SEND/long-term-health-conditions.
Through our partnership with Future Fit Training, we offer:
Inclusive SEND Training for Educators & Activity Leaders
(CIMSPA endorsed – 8 CPD points)
Equipping staff to confidently deliver inclusive sport, dance and yoga.
These programmes are creating new career pathways. One trainee shared the training gave her “the confidence to step into something new” and has since progressed into paid delivery roles across Evelina-Hospital, 3-SEND schools/disability charities.
Our Inclusive SEND Approach
Our goal is not simply activity – it is inclusion, belonging and growth. Our SEND dance and inclusive PE programmes are delivered by trained practitioners and adapted minute-by-minute to meet pupils’:
• Emotional regulation and SEMH needs
• Sensory processing differences
• Communication and language barriers
• Physical disabilities and mobility requirements
• Neurodivergent learners
• Behavioural profiles
• Emotional regulation and SEMH needs
• Sensory processing differences
• Communication and language barriers
• Physical disabilities and mobility requirements
• Neurodivergent learners
• Behavioural profiles
We incorporate:
• Visual cues, Makaton and PECS
• Seated and differentiated movement options
• Positive reinforcement and structured routines
• Sensory-aware teaching
• Adaptive choreography and accessible fitness
• Person centred teaching
Our goal is not simply physical activity – it is inclusion, belonging, participation and long-term confidence-building.
1. Clear routines and calm delivery
2. Pacing and relaxed setting
3. Differentiated movement options (seated, upper/lower body)
4. Praise and success-based progression
5. Props including scarves, ribbons, parachutes and sensory tools
Flexible Delivery
We can deliver:
1. Before school
2. During PE curriculum time
3. Lunchtime
4. After school
5. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
6. Live or digital
We provide a fully managed service including:
✔ Enhanced DBS
✔ Safeguarding compliance
✔ Insurance
✔ Lesson planning and bespoke programmes
✔ Cover arrangements
✔ Minimal admin for schools
Primary & Secondary SEND Dance Provision
Primary SEND Dance & Yoga (Reception – Year 6)
– SEND Dance & Movement – Exploring creativity, rhythm and expression through accessible choreography and themed sessions. SEND Yoga for emotional regulation
– Breathing, balance, relaxation and emotional regulation techniques to support focus and readiness to learn. EYFS & KS1 Movers & Shakers – Fun, structured movement sessions designed to build coordination, confidence and joy.
Themes might include:
• Jungle
• Seaside
• Weather
• Carnival
• Animal Party
• Environment
• International Dance
• Inclusive PE curriculum integration
• SEND Musical Theatre
• Street Dance and Hip Hop
ParaStars® Seated Programmes
1. ParaStars Dance™
2. ParaStars Yoga®
3. ParaStars Pilates™
Designed for pupils with physical disabilities or long-term health conditions, these seated programmes build strength, stamina, posture and confidence. Themes might include cultural dance, creative storytelling, wellbeing-focused movement and curriculum-linked topics. We encourage pupil’s involvement in choice of music.
Secondary SEND Dance & Fitness (Years 7–13)
• SEND Street Dance & Commercial styles
• SEND Dance Mix Street, commercial, contemporary, hip hop and cultural dance styles delivered inclusively.
Teen Dance Fitness & Adaptive Aerobic Sessions – Energetic, aerobic-based sessions incorporating strength, cardio and coordination.
• Inclusive Physical Education programmes
• ParaStars® Seated Dance, Yoga & Pilates
Our seated programmes are designed for pupils with SEND or LTHC’s and focus on strength, stamina, posture and mobility.
Additional Needs We Support and more
Our SEND provision typically supports pupils with:
– Autism / ASC / ASD / ADHD
– Dyslexia & Dyspraxia
– Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN)
– SEMH / BESD
– Moderate Learning Difficulties
– EHCP-supported pupils
– Cerebral Palsy
– Down Syndrome
– Visual Impairment / Blind
– Deaf & Hard of Hearing
– Complex needs
– Long-term medical conditions
– Neurodivergence
– Anxiety
We also support Looked After Children (LAC), Pupil Premium and pupils requiring SEN Support.
Proven Impact in Schools
Schools report improvements in attendance, behaviour, self-confidence and classroom readiness.
Measurable Benefits for Pupils Our SEND programmes support:
✔ Emotional regulation
✔ Reduced anxiety
✔ Improved motor skills & coordination
✔ Increased confidence & independence
✔ Enhanced social connection
✔ Greater readiness to learn
✔ Improved posture, balance and fitness
✔ Increased participation in physical activity
Dance and movement often become the setting where children who struggle elsewhere thrive – and the confidence gained frequently feeds back into classroom learning.
Contact us for full details of these programs for schools, and how we might tailor a special package to fit your needs.
”In 2024, Holy Trinity School partnered with Synergy Dance® to deliver a fully integrated SEND dance and yoga programme.
Weekly Provision Included:
1. Early morning SEND yoga
2. Lunchtime SEND yoga across year groups
3. PE-integrated SEND dance
4. After-school SEND dance club
5. Staff wellbeing yogaImpact Outcomes:
1. 95% average pupil engagement
2. 90% of staff reported improved pupil focus
3. 85% improvement in emotional regulation
4. 100% SEND participation in PE dance
5. 92% positive pupil and staff feedbackHeadteacher Feedback:
“The dance lessons and yoga clubs have got off to an excellent start. Feedback from staff and pupils is extremely positive.”This partnership demonstrates how specialist movement provision can transform whole-school culture and wellbeing.
Case Study: Holy Trinity School, Kent
