Zippy's Friends for SEND

Zippy’s Friends for Pupils with Special Needs is based on the coping theory and has been evaluated and found to improve children’s coping skills, social skills, emotional literacy, improve the class climate and reduce bullying. Read about the evidence behind Zippy’s Friends for Pupils with Special Needs and the impact the programme has had on children and teachers.

Pupils with Special Educational Needs are at much greater risk of developing mental health problems and there is a lack of suitable resources for these pupils to promote social and emotional wellbeing.

Our Zippy’s Friends for Pupils with Special Needs programme was developed in 2013 in collaboration with special schools with support from the National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools. The programme was adapted with alternative and additional activities to include a range of children with SEND to increase their coping and social skills.

The programme uses visual aids and Widgit Symbols. There are a variety of different activities for teachers to choose from depending on ability of the class or child and story has been adapted to four different reading levels.

The programme has been successfully implemented with 6-16 year olds.

If you are interested in teaching Zippy’s Friends for Pupils with SEND to your class, book onto our live online Skills for Life training.