Physical & Sensory Development

At Mayfield, we have specialist programs to support students with physical disabilities, sensory processing differences, and motor coordination needs. Whether through structured mobility training, therapeutic movement, or adapted sensory environments, each initiative is tailored to meet the unique needs of our learners.

The MOVE Programme

We are proud to be recognised as a MOVE Centre of Excellence — a prestigious status awarded to organisations that demonstrate outstanding practice in delivering the MOVE Programme. 

At Mayfield School, the MOVE Programme is deeply embedded into the daily lives of pupils with physical disabilities. It forms an integral part of their individual learning journeys, helping them build essential, functional mobility skills that can be transferred into real-world situations both at home and in the wider community. 

As a Centre of Excellence, we not only deliver exceptional MOVE provision within school, but also act as ambassadors for the programme across the region. We work closely with MOVE Europe to share best practice, support other settings in implementing MOVE, and promote a culture of inclusion, independence, and aspiration for all learners. 

At its heart, MOVE is a strengths-based approach, focusing on what each pupil can do, rather than what they can’t. The programme is tailored to individual needs, aiming to help pupils acquire, maintain, and apply functional movement skills that support their overall development, autonomy, and quality of life. 

MATP Centre of Excellence 

We are proud to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence for the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), one of only three schools in the country to achieve this prestigious accreditation. Designed by Special Olympics, MATP is a sports-based mobility programme that provides meaningful physical activity for students with complex physical needs, PMLD, and complex support needs. 

The programme focuses on four key skill areas: Mobility (independent movement), Dexterity (fine motor control and throwing), Kicking (lower body movement), and Striking (upper body movement). These activities are tailored to ensure that every student can engage in structured movement-based experiences that support their physical development regardless of ability. 

MATP has been embedded in our curriculum since 2020, helping students develop motor skills, coordination, and confidence through engaging, structured activities. During our accreditation, assessors praised our staff’s dedication, our students’ enthusiasm, and the inclusive approach that MATP fosters within our school. 

As a Centre of Excellence, we remain committed to enhancing and expanding our MATP provision, ensuring every student benefits from accessible and engaging physical development opportunities. 

Sensory Inclusion 

Mayfield School is proud to be the first school in the country to achieve the Silver Award for Sensory Inclusion, which recognises our commitment to creating an environment where every child can thrive. 

This prestigious award celebrates our extensive work to support students with sensory needs. We continue to develop and embed strategies that help our pupils feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn. By fostering strong partnerships with families and offering training to parents and carers, we also ensure that our support extends beyond the classroom and into the home. 

We have thoughtfully adapted our learning environments, introduced personalised sensory diets, and implemented sensory circuits for pupils who benefit from structured sensory input. These targeted approaches have profoundly and visibly impacted engagement, wellbeing, and overall progress. 

Rebound Therapy 

Rebound Therapy is the therapeutic use of a trampoline to support the physical, sensory, and emotional development of pupils, and has been a valued intervention in special education since the 1970s. At Mayfield School, Rebound Therapy forms a meaningful part of our wider therapeutic provision, offering a dynamic and enjoyable way for students to work towards individual targets in a safe, structured environment. 

Our sessions are delivered by trained professionals and tailored to each pupil’s specific needs. For those with physical challenges, Rebound Therapy supports improvements in muscle tone, coordination, core strength, and balance, while providing a motivating and playful setting for movement. For students with sensory processing needs, the rhythmic motion of the trampoline helps regulate sensory input, enhance body awareness, and promote relaxation and emotional wellbeing. 

Rebound Therapy also opens up valuable opportunities for communication and connection. Students engage with staff and peers through movement, eye contact, gesture, and vocalisation, helping to build confidence and strengthen relationships in a non-verbal and highly responsive way.