Classroom provision for pupils with SEND: checklist

Download our checklist to evaluate classrooms as suitable learning environments for pupils with SEND, including dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Learn how to arrange classrooms to maximise opportunities for all pupils.

Last reviewed on 5 May 2022
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School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 13474
Contents
  1. Use our checklist to evaluate your provision
  2. Get guidance on supporting pupils with disabilities, autism and dyslexia
  3. Next steps: audit your provision and teachers' plans 

Use our checklist to evaluate your provision

The questions are intended as a general guideline, but you should also consider how the classroom meets the particular needs of the pupils using it.

Our checklist includes extra considerations for pupils with:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD)
  • Dyslexia
  • Physical needs 

Use it alongside a general classroom environment checklist, such as the one from Wigan Council, which you can download from the 'quality first teaching' section of this page

Get guidance on supporting pupils with disabilities, autism and dyslexia

Pupils with disabilities

The National Disability Authority (Ireland) publishes guidance on creating accessible classrooms 

It includes guidance on improving the accessibility of specialist rooms such as:

  • Libraries
  • Art rooms
  • Science laboratories
  • Computer rooms

Autism-friendly classrooms

Spring Common Academy, a special school in Cambridgeshire that specialises in providing for pupils with ASD, explains its classroom design on its website

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