How to create a more inclusive, SEN-friendly school library

Since 2016, the percentage of pupils in England with SEN support has increased year on year.  As a result, more and more primary schools are evaluating their learning spaces to ensure they are suitable for pupils with a diverse range of needs.

Many schools already have classroom checklists for pupils with ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia and SEMH but more recently, we’ve noticed an increase in demand to incorporate SEN-friendly practice in the school library too.  

If you’re looking to create a more inclusive reading space for your pupils, take a look at these 6 practical tips recommended by our library design team:

1.  Create safe, calming areas for pupils

Over the years, the BookSpace team have visited hundreds of primary schools around the UK and we know that the school environment can be very busy with lots going on.  For some pupils, the hustle and bustle of school life can be overwhelming so it’s important to think about offering calm, separate areas for those that need a space to escape to.

This was a key part of the brief for Kingsley Special Academy in Kettering.  Assistant Headteacher, Sara Cullingford-Agnew, wanted to include safe, comfortable spaces where children with sensory sensitivity could withdraw to if things got too much.  Our library designer, Michelle Tomlinson, adapted our Hideyhole to have open access at the bottom for pupils with additional mobility needs.

3.  Provide accessible book display and clear library signage

Making it easier for children to choose a book is at the heart of everything we do at BookSpace.  Years of research has proven that a shelf of books displayed face-out, so you can see the front covers, will get looked at, read and borrowed much more quickly and frequently than a shelf of spine-out books.

Rows and rows of spines can be intimidating and only really work for children who know what they are looking for and where they are located in the library.  By offering a smaller choice but in a more visible way, children with SEN can easily see, touch and pick up a book.

If your current book shelving has signage, consider incorporating communication symbols such as Makaton or PCS (Picturebook Communication Symbols) to help pupils with communication, behaviour and learning challenges.

To read more about our unique library shelving and signage available for schools, click here.

4.  Find the right colour scheme for your library

If you’ve ever redecorated a room and regretted it instantly, you know colour can completely change the feel of space.  Research shows that colours have a huge impact on learning, behaviour and emotion so it’s essential to think about what type of environment you want to create first.

How does colour impact learning environments?

Well, when it comes to providing an inclusive environment for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, muted tones of blues and greens are a good choice.  Softer tones promote calm and a feeling of well-being.

For pupils with autism, avoid red, oranges and yellows as these colours provide a high level of stimulus and are proven to increase body temperature and blood pressure.

Here are some examples of colour schemes we’ve used with teals, blues and greys:

5.  Make sure your reading space is accessible to all

It might seem obvious but accessibility is a vital consideration when designing a reading space that welcomes every pupil.

School libraries often become cluttered with resources, boxes of books, laptop/chromebook trolleys, music equipment which makes it difficult for pupils additional mobility needs to move around the space easily.

Consider decluttering the area and positioning the library furniture to ensure that children who use walking aids or wheelchairs can get around the space, browse the shelving and reach the books safely.

Making children feel comfortable and confident when using the library is key to developing independent readers and helps to bring a sense of inclusivity for all pupils.

6.  Consider adding sensory areas

Having a sensory area in your school library or reading space has a wide range of benefits for pupils with SEN and can help them to develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills, colour recognition, communication and sensory skills.

Earlier this year, we designed and installed a new school library at Hilton Spencer Academy in Derby and were tasked with creating a sensory area in the designs.  We included sensory frames with tactile elements, spinning beads, different textures, surfaces and LED lighting in the hideyhole.

We hope you find these tips useful.  For further reading, take a look at the following articles:

National Autistic Society – designing schools

Finding the Right Colour balance in schools

Supporting SEN in the Learning Environment