Schools Programme
Brain Development UK Schools Programme
Practical sensory regulation and movement programmes for nurseries, primary schools and SEN teams.
Helping children regulate, move, focus and become ready to learn
Every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, confident and ready to learn. Yet many children arrive at school struggling to sit still, manage their emotions, follow instructions, coordinate their movements or cope with the sensory demands of the classroom.
What if, rather than focusing only on the behaviour we can see, we also looked at the developmental foundations that support learning?
At Brain Development UK, we help schools understand the relationship between sensory processing, movement, balance, emotional regulation and classroom participation. Through practical staff training and structured sensory circuits, we give educators the knowledge and tools to support children throughout the school day.
Build the Foundations
Support Regulation
Create Readiness for Learning
Learning starts with strong foundations
Why Some Children Struggle to Learn
Imagine asking a child to concentrate, sit still, write, listen and learn when they are struggling to feel comfortable and organised in their own body.
For some children, the classroom can be an overwhelming environment.
You may recognise children who:
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Struggle to remain seated or constantly seek movement.
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Become overwhelmed by noise, touch or busy environments.
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Experience emotional outbursts or difficulty with transitions.
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Have difficulties with balance, posture and coordination.
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Struggle with attention, listening and following instructions.
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Find handwriting, fine-motor activities or physical tasks challenging.
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Need additional support to settle and engage after playtime or lunch.
These difficulties can have several underlying causes, and sensory processing and movement are important areas to consider.
Sometimes what looks like challenging behaviour is a child communicating that they need support.
Our approach helps school staff look beyond the immediate behaviour and respond with understanding, practical strategies and appropriate support.
The Pyramid of Learning
Building from the bottom up.
At Brain Development UK, we use the Pyramid of Learning to explain how different aspects of development contribute to a child's ability to participate in education.
Before children can confidently manage complex classroom tasks, they draw on a wide range of developing skills, including:
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Sensory processing and body awareness.
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Balance and vestibular function.
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Postural control and coordination.
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Movement planning and bilateral coordination.
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Emotional regulation.
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Attention, communication and learning.
We also introduce staff to primitive reflexes and their role in early motor development, helping educators understand how early movement patterns relate to the development of voluntary movement.
The Pyramid of Learning provides a useful way of thinking about these interconnected skills. Development does not follow one rigid sequence, and every child has their own strengths and needs.
Our message is simple
Support the foundations alongside the learning.
Pyramid of Learning
Introducing Our
School Sensory Circuit Programme
A practical 20-minute movement programme designed for the school day.
We have developed a structured, no-touch sensory circuit that school staff can deliver using simple, affordable equipment.
The programme combines six areas of movement and regulation.
No expensive equipment. No complicated systems. Just structured, purposeful movement that staff can confidently deliver.
1
Regulation & Body
Awareness
Wall pushes, gentle movement and breathing activities that help children prepare for participation.
2
Crawling & Bilateral
Co-ordination
Animal movements and cross-body activities that encourage coordination, strength and movement planning.
3
Early Movement Patterns and Postural Control
Controlled movements that develop body organisation, postural stability and coordination.
4
Balance & Vestibular
Activities
Simple balance challenges that help children practise stability, spatial awareness and coordinated movement.
5
Hand & Foot
Coordination
Activities that support fine-motor control, body awareness and movement precision.
6
Calm & Ready
to Learn
A predictable calming finish to help children transition back into classroom activities.
Notes: The sensory circuit program can be adapted for nursery children, reception classes, primary pupils and children requiring additional support.
Hear from a School That has Experienced the Programme
A School's Experience
David, Head of SEN, Dulwich Prep School, Kent
Hear directly from David about his experience of introducing a sensory circuit programme with Brain Development UK and the changes observed within the school.
The video offers an insight into how a structured movement-based approach can be introduced into a school environment and what staff noticed following implementation.
Note: Individual school experiences vary. The video reflects the school's own observations.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, learn and reach their full potential."
David, Head of SEN, Dulwich Prep School
Professional Development for Your School Team
A Programme Your Staff Can Continue to Deliver
2 Hours of Training
Our training is designed to give educators a clearer understanding of children's developmental needs, together with practical tools they can use immediately.
The sessions are interactive, accessible and designed for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, inclusion teams and nursery practitioners.
*The Brain Development UK Schools Programme is an educational and movement-based support programme. It is not a diagnostic service or a replacement for specialist medical, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or educational support. Outcomes vary between children and settings.
Part One
Understanding the
Foundations of Learning
60-minutes
Educational Training
Staff will explore:
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The Pyramid of Learning.
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Sensory processing and the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
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Primitive reflexes and early motor development.
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Movement, posture, balance and coordination.
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Emotional regulation and sensory needs.
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Why some children struggle with attention, transitions and classroom participation.
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How to recognise when additional professional assessment may be needed.
Part Two
Putting the Programme
into Practice
60-minutes
Practical Training
Staff will learn how to:
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Deliver our structured 20-minute sensory circuit.
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Demonstrate each movement safely.
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Adapt exercises for nursery and primary-aged children.
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Support children with different sensory preferences and physical abilities.
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Use movement to encourage attention, listening and following instructions.
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Introduce calming routines before learning.
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Monitor progress through simple classroom observations.
What Your School Receives
Our school training package includes:
Two-hour staff training session
A combination of developmental education and practical exercise demonstrations.
20-minute sensory circuit programme
A structured routine that staff can introduce into the school day.
School implementation manual
Written instructions, activity descriptions, suggested timings and equipment guidance.
Nursery and primary adaptations
Practical options for different ages, abilities and sensory needs.
Progress-monitoring framework
Simple tools to help staff observe changes in participation, regulation, transitions and engagement.
Implementation guidance
Support for identifying when and how to introduce the programme within existing school routines.
This includes the two-hour training and accompanying school programme materials.
Travel arrangements and any additional support can be discussed when booking.
Nurseries and Early Years settings
Primary schools
SENCOs and inclusion teams
Teachers and teaching assistants
Specialist education settings
Multi-academy trusts looking to develop a consistent approach across their schools.
The programme can be used to complement existing SEND provision, occupational therapy recommendations, pastoral support and classroom strategies.
Activities are adapted to individual needs, and participation should always be voluntary, safe and inclusive.
Who is the programme for?
Our training is suitable for:
Bring the Brain Development UK Schools Programme to Your School
Help your staff understand the foundations.
Give your pupils more opportunities to thrive.
Whether you are a nursery, primary school, specialist setting or academy trust, we would love to discuss how our training could support your team.
Enquire about our two-hour school training and sensory circuit implementation package.
*The Brain Development UK Schools Programme is an educational and movement-based support programme. It is not a diagnostic service or a replacement for specialist medical, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or educational support. Outcomes vary between children and settings.
Founder of
Brain Development UK
Melillo Specialist
ABOUT LARA BARNES
I'm Lara Barnes, founder of Brain Development UK.
My journey into brain development began through my own son's developmental challenges and my determination to understand why he was struggling.
That experience led me to explore the foundations of movement, sensory processing, balance, coordination and neurological development.
Today, I work with children and families to help them understand developmental challenges and introduce practical strategies to support everyday function.
I am passionate about bringing this knowledge into schools.
Teachers are working incredibly hard to support children with increasingly diverse needs. I want to give them additional tools, greater understanding and practical approaches that can fit into the school day.
When educators understand the child behind the behaviour, they are better equipped to support meaningful participation and learning.