Becoming a Sensory Aware School: A Toolkit to Develop a Whole School Approach for Sensory Wellbeing

This practical book covers everything schools need to know and consider about the sensory needs of all students and staff within the school environment. With a wealth of strategies and resources, it is essential reading for school leaders, SENDCOs and teachers who are keen to develop an ethos of supporting sensory needs.

Alice Hoyle is a wellbeing education consultant specialising in Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RSHE). She is a neurodivergent (ND) mum supporting varying levels of sensory needs in her ND family. Having worked in schools as a teacher, PSHE lead, Youth Worker and LEA Education adviser for two decades, she is very aware how sensory needs are hugely misunderstood and neglected across many mainstream schools.

Tessa Hyde is an Occupational Therapist with nearly forty years of experience working in the NHS and independent sector. She works with schools and families to assess, identify and support the sensory and physical motor co-ordination needs of school aged children. Tessa has a wealth of knowledge and strategies to support coordination and sensory needs at home and school.

Alice and Tessa were neighbours for ten years. This book was created after Tessa led a successful assessment on one of Alice’s daughters, where the suggested strategies were transformative.