Advertorial: Creating residential experiences where SEND & ASN learners thrive

For many schools, residential visits represent
an opportunity to build independence,
resilience and social connection. For
learners with Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities (SEND) and Additional Support
Needs (ASN), traditional models don’t always
work. At PGL, inclusion isn’t an add-on —
it’s built into the way our adventures are
designed, delivered and supported.
Our new SEND/ASN Inclusive Adventure programme
is shaped around one simple principle: every learner
deserves access to adventure. As part of PGL Beyond,
our purpose is to unlock the potential of every young
person through adventure, with inclusion at the heart of
everything we do.
CO-DEVELOPED WITH EXPERTS
The programme was co-developed alongside trusted
experts, including Aspris, a UK provider of specialist
education and care for young people with SEND/ASN,
and trialled with learners from Aspris schools. We also
consulted Bendrigg, a residential activity centre in
Cumbria for people with disabilities, which provides
specialist training based on their extensive experience.
The result was a bespoke SEND/ASN programme that
removes barriers and enables learners to access new
experiences in ways
that feel safe, supportive
and achievable.
FLEXIBLE PLANNING AND PERSONALISED JOURNEYS
Flexibility is central to the programme and built into the
end-to-end customer journey. Every visit begins with
careful planning and close collaboration with Educational
Visits Coordinators, teachers and educators to understand
individual needs, preferred approaches and intended
outcomes.
On centre, flexibility remains key. Our teams are
extensively trained with specialist SEND/ASN knowledge,
and activities can be adapted in pace, structure and
challenge, creating an environment where learners are
supported in ways that feel safe and achievable.
DEFINING SUCCESS FOR EVERY LEARNER
Importantly, success is defined individually. It may
be trying an activity for the first time, communicating
within a group or building confidence away from familiar
environments. These breakthrough moments often carry
back into school life, supporting wellbeing, long after the
visit ends.
MAKING SEND/ASN RESIDENTIALS ACHIEVABLE
For schools, SEND/ASN-inclusive residentials can feel
complex to plan. Our role is to make them achievable
with transparent communication, tailored planning, total
flexibility to meet your needs and a shared commitment
to safeguarding. Because inclusion isn’t about offering
something different – it’s about making sure no learner is
left out of the experience altogether.
Find out how inclusive adventure can work for your pupils:
→schoolsandgroups.pgl.co.uk/inclusive-adventure

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