For many parents of children with SEND, finding activities outside of school that your child enjoys and connects with can be difficult. The search for somewhere that truly understands your child; somewhere they feel safe, included, and free to be themselves can feel challenging. But when Tiffany spotted a Cygnets Art School poster on the way home from school one afternoon, something told her it was worth a try. Her daughter had always loved drawing and painting at home so art felt like the natural fit. What followed has been nothing short of transformational.
Finding Her Sparkle
“We thought it would be perfect for our daughter,” says Tiffany. “She has always loved drawing and getting the paints out, so we felt this could be something where she can truly show her sparkle.”
From the very first term, the results have spoken for themselves. Her daughter now comes home with artwork that she’s so proud of – “She asked if we could put her artwork up on the wall to show it off, and we thought that was such a lovely idea,” Tiffany recalls. “Seeing how proud and confident she feels is so special to us.”
How Art Supports Children with SEND
It’s no coincidence that art can become a powerful outlet for children. For this little girl, Emily says, art is simply her happy place – and as Headteacher at Cygnets Billingshurst, she sees this often with the SEND children she teaches.
“A day at school may be stressful for children with SEND, keeping up with the various academic and social expectations,” she explains. “Spending some time focusing on art is often calming for their nervous system. Producing pieces they, and their parents, are proud of really builds confidence, not only in their artistic ability but in all other areas of their life.”
There’s something uniquely freeing about the creative arts for children who may struggle in more structured academic settings. As Emily puts it: “It may be the only activity they have where they are allowed to truly be and express themselves. School subjects may be difficult for them, but the creative arts are all about personal expression, experimenting and taking risks at which children with SEND often excel.”
For Tiffany’s daughter, that freedom has had a ripple effect far beyond the art room. “Her speech has come on miles because she’s so excited to tell us about and show us what she has created,” says Tiffany. “It has brought out the most beautiful side of our child, and it’s so warming to see.”
Creating a Safe Space
Central to all of this is the environment Emily and her team have created, one where every child, regardless of their needs, feels genuinely welcomed and supported.
“I always have an extra teaching assistant who sits with our SEND student and focuses mainly on helping her and keeping her safe,” Emily explains. “As with all the other children in the class, we greet her warmly by name and ask about her day. We make sure she always has a snack if she needs one before the session starts.”
Flexibility is key. If a child needs a moment to move around, or simply take a breath before settling, Emily creates space for that too. “A lot of the time, having a child with SEND in your class is about allowing them to do what they feel the need to do, as long as they’re kept safe.”
Tiffany felt that warmth from the very beginning. Before her daughter even started, she and Emily exchanged emails about previous art class experiences that hadn’t gone well, what support her daughter receives at school, and how Cygnets could adapt for her. That open communication made all the difference.
“When you finally find people who have the time, patience, and understanding to communicate with you about your child,” says Tiffany, “you feel listened to, safe, and never judged.”
Adapting Without Limits
One of the things that sets Cygnets apart is the thoughtful, practical way lessons are tailored to each child, without ever making them feel singled out or different.
Emily describes her approach with Tiffany’s daughter: “I usually give her a smaller piece of paper to draw her own designs on straight away, as once she’s sat down she starts! Sometimes she studies the print-out of the piece we’re doing that day, just for a moment, and then just goes for it.”
Emily is always prepared and likes to keep a piece of clay in a ziplock bag on standby – something she knows will delight and engage – when a child powers through the session faster than expected.
“When we did the pencil drawing of a bison this term, this little girl completed it so fast she needed something else to do,” Emily recalls warmly, “so we helped her make a bison’s head in clay as well.”
A Message to Other SEND Parents
If you’re a parent of a SEND child who has been hesitant to try an art class, or any after-school activity, Tiffany and Emily have some advice for you:
“From experience, finding an after-school club that could accommodate our daughter felt like an uphill battle at times,” Tiffany admits. “But I wasn’t giving up, because there is something out there for everyone. Go with your child’s interests and play on their strengths. Once they find something they truly love, it’s honestly amazing and suddenly everything else doesn’t seem to matter as much.”
Emily’s advice is equally practical: “First, explain to the teacher your child’s exact needs. Then do a trial session and see how the child likes it. If they come out beaming with pride over their work, sign up for more classes, and keep communicating with the teacher about how they’re doing.”
Going Above and Beyond
At Cygnets, we firmly believe that every child is an artist, and through our classes we strive to see every child express themselves in their own unique way and grow in confidence in and out of class in doing so. Tiffany sums it up better than anyone could:
“Cygnets Art School has been amazing with our SEND child. Emily and her team have gone above and beyond to ensure our daughter feels safe, supported, and included in every single class. The confidence this has given her is incredible. They are also incredibly adaptable – if she’s not interested in a particular activity, they find creative ways to adjust things so she can still achieve what’s expected while working in a way that helps her thrive.”
Thank you to Tiffany and Emily for sharing their experience and insights. If your child has a passion for art, you can sign-up for a trial class at your nearest Cygnets studio here.
