A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS’26
How Sensory Wayfinding Supports SEND Accessibility, Reduces Staff Load, and Strengthens 2026 Planning
A short, board-ready overview for schools preparing for 2026
Why This Guide Exists
As schools approach the end of the academic year, leadership teams are preparing for December board and SLT meetings — the point where priorities for 2026 are agreed.
For many schools, accessibility and SEND inclusion are high on the agenda.
But knowing what to prioritise, how to evidence impact, and how to fund improvements can feel challenging.
This short guide summarises:
what sensory wayfinding is
why schools are adopting it now
how it reduces staff pressure
how it supports a wide range of learners
how it fits into Accessibility Plans and Ofsted expectations
The Challenge Schools Are Facing
Across mainstream and specialist settings, schools report similar challenges:
High reliance on 1:1 staff support for learner movement
Significant staff time lost during transitions between spaces
Corridors and shared areas that increase anxiety or dysregulation
Narrow circulation spaces that restrict safe movement
Accessibility solutions that are costly but low impact
In many SEN settings, staff spend more time guiding movement than supporting learning.
What Is Sensory Wayfinding?
Sensory wayfinding uses tactile and visual cues embedded into the school environment to help learners:
understand where they are
recognise destinations
anticipate transitions
move more independently
Rather than relying on constant verbal prompting or physical guidance, learners follow consistent sensory cues through corridors and shared spaces.
This turns the building itself into a form of communication.
Who Does Sensory Wayfinding Support?
One of the key strengths of sensory wayfinding is that it supports multiple learner profiles at once, including:
learners with autism
learners with sensory processing differences
learners with visual impairments
learners with developmental or intellectual disabilities
learners who experience anxiety during transitions
Because the cues are predictable, non-verbal, and tactile, they reduce cognitive load and support regulation during movement.
What Schools Gain in Practice
Schools using sensory wayfinding report:
calmer transitions
reduced reliance on 1:1 navigation support
increased learner confidence and independence
improved orientation and safety
fewer bottlenecks in narrow corridors
more staff time available for teaching and learning
In other words, the environment begins to do some of the support work itself.
Cost Matters: A Practical Comparison
Traditional accessibility solutions such as wooden rails are often the first option considered — but they are expensive and limited in impact.
Cost per metre (installed):
Wooden rails: £1,500 per metre
Sensei sensory wayfinding: £36 per metre
A typical 20-metre corridor:
Wooden rails: £30,000
Sensei: £720
Rails provide physical support only.
Sensory wayfinding supports navigation, regulation, orientation, and independence — while also reducing staff time.
How This Supports Ofsted & Accessibility Planning
Under the updated Education Inspection Framework, inspectors expect to see that:
accessibility is planned, not reactive
SEND needs are supported across the environment
schools can evidence inclusive practice
Sensory wayfinding provides:
visible, practical evidence of accessibility
clear alignment with Accessibility Plans
demonstrable impact on learner experience
a coherent, whole-school approach
A Real-World Example: Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust is currently implementing sensory wayfinding across multiple sites, with two already live.
The Trust selected this approach to:
support learners with diverse needs
reduce staff pressure during transitions
create consistency across sites
invest in a solution that scales trust-wide
This model is now informing wider 2026 planning.
Planning for 2026: Why Schools Are Acting Now
Schools choosing to plan accessibility improvements before Christmas benefit from:
board-level alignment
clearer budget planning
access to matched funding support
stronger Accessibility Plans
readiness for inspections in 2026
Waiting often means delaying progress by another year.
Next Steps
If accessibility, SEND inclusion, or staff workload reduction is part of your 2026 planning:
review high-traffic transition spaces
identify where staff time is being lost
consider solutions that support multiple needs at once
ensure changes can be evidenced to boards and inspectors
