The Reef is an exciting and innovative sensory and support space within our Infant School, designed to offer children a nurturing, personalised environment where they can thrive. Developed with input from specialists in SEND and sensory provision, The Reef provides a safe, calm and adaptable space for children across the infant site who benefit from tailored emotional, sensory or behavioural support. At King's Academy Northern Parade, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and The Reef reflects this commitment by ensuring that children with a wide range of needs - including those who are non-verbal, those with complex sensory profiles, or children who struggle with busy environments - can access provision that truly meets them where they are.
Inside The Reef, children experience a sensory-rich environment filled with thoughtfully selected resources that help them regulate and engage. These include soft lighting, bubble tubes, fibre-optic strands, weighted blankets, tactile walls, fidget tools, balance cushions, therapy balls, cosy pods and calm, low-stimulation areas for withdrawal. These resources allow staff to respond immediately to each child’s sensory needs, offering calming experiences, deep-pressure input, movement opportunities or quiet spaces depending on what supports the child best in the moment.
The Reef is used flexibly throughout the school day, supporting children during times when they need help to regulate, focus or re-engage with learning. Children may visit for sensory breaks, personalised sensory diet activities, one-to-one emotional support, structured small-group sessions or guided play to build communication and social interaction. It also provides a safe landing space for children who find transitions difficult, and a quieter environment for children who cannot manage busy classrooms at certain points in the day.
Beyond sensory support, The Reef plays a key role in academic, social and emotional development. In this calm and supportive environment, children can work on personalised learning tasks at their own pace, practise communication and turn-taking with trusted adults, and develop essential self-regulation strategies that help them succeed in the wider school environment. Staff take a human-centred, individualised approach, ensuring that every child is seen, heard and supported in a way that values their unique strengths, interests and needs.
The Reef enables children to feel secure, understood and ready to learn, helping them to flourish both within the space and back in their mainstream classrooms.