Clowndoctors in the Classroom
Our Clowndoctors visit children and young people who go to schools for children with complex needs. We love to visit these schools, and our unique visits to classes and individuals can help with learning.
The Clowndoctors first visited The Royal Blind School in Edinburgh in 2010, and we now visit schools across central Scotland throughout the school year. Regular visits build trust and warm, lasting friendships. Teachers tell us our visits bring real joy and support their learners' emotional wellbeing and development.
Working alongside teachers, our visits support children to:
- Increased engagement
- Improved communication
- Improved participation
- Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved social interactions with others
The Clowndoctors have built wonderful bonds with children and young people over the last fourteen years — in some cases, following their journey all the way through school!
This is how it works
At the beginning of each term, teachers share information about the learners we will see and what they hope our visits will achieve. We work closely together, tailoring every session to individual abilities, needs and personalities.
For example, in one class of four pupils aged 10–13 with complex additional support needs, vision loss, and hearing impairment, our visits focused on building connection through sensory play. Sessions included tickly chickens for anticipation, buzzy bees for sound tracking, musical instruments, gentle slapstick, and turn-taking songs.
“I feel the pupils are really benefitting from the sessions and we are seeing some lovely levels of engagement and interaction from our lovely class. We have noticed that there is a certain amount of anticipation now when we enter the room, this is huge for us to see! I come away with a tear in my eye every week from your sessions.” — Class Teacher
“It has been lovely to hear Aaron respond through vocalisation (this doesn’t happen very often), Billy has reached out a couple of times to explore instruments, this shows he is engaged and wants more, and Chloe is anticipating her turn by moving her head from side to side.” — Class Teacher
