Innowalk Pro in schools: movement, learning and participation

Jen_sirkel
Written by Jen Wilkinson
min reading time
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This page brings together everything you need to know about using the Innowalk Pro in a school or college setting, and how supported physical activity can enhance learning, wellbeing and participation for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Across the UK and Ireland, a growing number of schools and colleges are already using the Innowalk Pro in education, helping pupils and students to access the physical, cognitive and emotional benefits of regular, supported movement. This page explores how dynamic standing and assisted movement in schools can support improved outcomes for student with complex physical needs.

Here, you’ll find practical insights from real educational settings, clinical evidence demonstrating the impact of the Innowalk Pro, and clear guidance on how schools, colleges and organisations can explore access to this assistive technology.

Whether you are an educational professional, therapist, or a parent seeking opportunities for your child’s school, this resource is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of how the Innowalk Pro can enrich the school day and support meaningful outcomes for learners with complex physical needs.

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CONTENT
    CHAPTER 1

    What is the Innowalk Pro?

    Innowalk-Pro_Gen-2_L-dypetset

    The Innowalk Pro is an innovative motorised device that enables assisted, repetitive, weight-bearing movement for individuals who cannot walk independently.

    Unlike traditional standing frames or passive therapy solutions, the Innowalk Pro facilitates active-assisted movement in:

    • A standing or semi-standing position

    • Guided, repetitive walking-like motions

    • Fully supported, safe alignment

    This unique combination helps students experience movement patterns that would otherwise be inaccessible, creating a powerful opportunity for physical activation, engagement, and improved well-being throughout the school day.

    Innowalk Pro can be used with students who are 120-200cm tall and up to 110kg in weight. For more detailed product sizing and other information, please visit our Innowalk Pro product page. 

    Creating opportunities for movement is essential in a special educational (SEN) setting – not only for students’ physical development, but also for their overall wellbeing, learning, and participation. The Innowalk Pro makes it easier than ever to integrate motivating, inclusive activities into the school day, supporting both students and staff in meaningful ways.

    A young boy stands supported in an Innowalk device, holding a toy on the tray in front of him, while an adult stands beside him in a school setting.

    View map of school/college Innowalks in the UK/Ireland
    Chapter 2

    Why movement matters in SEN settings

    Movement is essential for physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. In SEN settings, students with profound or multiple disabilities often spend significant time seated or in static positions, which can lead to secondary health complications and limit their ability to actively engage in learning.

    Regular, supported physical activity helps improve comfort, alertness, and regulation, while creating more opportunities for communication, interaction, and meaningful participation in the classroom.

    The link between movement and cognitive engagement

    Movement increases alertness, supports attention, and helps students regulate their sensory and emotional states—critical for effective learning. 

    Illustration of a brain and how muscle memory develope.

    Physical activity, from structured exercise to classroom movement, is linked to improvements in attention, memory, executive function, and academic performance across general and special needs populations.

    Research indicates that when physical activity is properly adapted, it can lead to positive physical, cognitive, social, and emotional outcomes for children and young people with a range of disabilities. 

    Supporting physical health and preventing complications

    Regular movement supports:

    • Improved joint flexibility
    • Healthy circulation
    • Better digestive and respiratory function
    • Reduced risk of pressure injuries
    • Enhanced muscle strength and endurance
    • Improved posture and alignment
    • Better bone health
    • Increased energy levels
    • Improved mood and emotional wellbeing
    • Greater independence in daily activities

    Enhancing emotional well-being and self-confidence

    Being upright, active, and participating builds confidence and can enhance a student’s sense of independence. Regular opportunities to move and engage can also improve mood, reduce feelings of anxiety, and help students feel more positive about their abilities and achievements.

    Encouraging inclusion and active participation

    Movement sessions can be incorporated into classroom activities, therapy programs, or social experiences, promoting greater involvement in school or college life. This helps students feel more included alongside their peers, supporting meaningful interaction, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging.

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    Did you know?

    The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children and young people aged 5–18 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This should include mainly aerobic activity, plus muscle- and bone-strengthening exercises at least three times a week. Regular activity supports physical health, learning, and emotional wellbeing, and should be adapted to be safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for all, including those with disabilities. 

    CHAPTER 3

    Benefits of the Innowalk Pro for students with complex needs

    The Innowalk Pro enables students with complex physical needs to access movement as a natural part of the school day. By supporting safe, assisted activity, it helps address both physical and cognitive barriers to participation—contributing to improved wellbeing, engagement, and inclusion. 

    Physical, cognitive and participation benefits

    Schools and colleges using the Innowalk Pro in special educational (SEN) settings consistently report meaningful improvements in student engagement, physical health, and overall wellbeing. For students with limited or no independent mobility, it creates opportunities for movement that would otherwise not be possible during the school day.

    A key benefit is the ability to provide regular, repetitive, weight-bearing movement in a safe and supported environment. This allows students to experience a walking-like motion, which can support:

    • posture and alignment
    • muscle activation
    • overall mobility
    • physical comfort

    Being upright and moving also supports essential body functions. Improved circulation, respiratory function, and digestion are commonly associated with regular movement—areas that can be negatively affected by prolonged sitting.

    Beyond physical outcomes, movement plays an important role in sensory regulation. Many schools observe that students become more alert, focused, and ready to engage in learning following sessions with the Innowalk Pro.

    Importantly, the device also supports greater inclusion and participation. By enabling students to take part more actively in classroom routines, therapy sessions, and school life, the Innowalk Pro helps create a more accessible and equitable learning environment for students with complex needs.

    CHAPTER 4

    Integrating the Innowalk Pro into the timetable

    In the UK and Ireland, and across Europe, SEN schools report meaningful improvements when integrating the Innowalk Pro, including:

    • Students staying alert and engaged for longer periods

    • Reduced anxiety and improved regulation

    • Greater participation in class activities

    • Noticeable improvements in posture and comfort

    Real-life examples show how regular movement sessions can transform a student’s school experience.

    Supporting therapy goals

    The Innowalk Pro can be used effectively as an adjunct to existing therapy sessions and as a tool to help attaintment of goals. 

    Incorporating movement into classroom learning

    Students can participate in storytelling, group work, or sensory tasks while in the device. By using the Innowalk Pro within the classroom environment, they are able to be more actively included in lessons, engage alongside their peers, and participate in shared learning experiences in a meaningful and visible way, promoting a stronger sense of belonging and collaboration. 

    Using movement for regulation

    Sessions can be tailored to help students:

    • Calm down

    • Activate before learning

    • Reset after transfers/tasks

    CHAPTER 5

    Practical considerations for schools and colleges

    Successfully introducing the Innowalk Pro in schools and colleges is about more than equipment – it requires a coordinated, team-based approach. When therapists and classroom staff work closely together, movement can be safely integrated into daily routines, creating consistent and meaningful outcomes for students. 

    Implementation in practice

    Successful implementation of the Innowalk Pro relies on strong collaboration between therapy teams and classroom staff. Best practice typically involves therapists—such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists—leading on assessment and set-up. They prescribe individualised settings based on each student’s physical needs, which are then reviewed and adjusted over time as the student grows or their needs change, ensuring continued safety and effectiveness. A smiling young boy wearing glasses is supported in an Innowalk device, leaning slightly forward while an adult assists him in a school setting. 

    Classroom staff play a key role in day-to-day use. With appropriate training, they can confidently support regular Innowalk Pro sessions as part of the school routine, helping to embed movement into everyday learning and care.

    Made for Movement supports this process through comprehensive training and ongoing guidance. Staff receive hands-on instruction to ensure safe and effective use, along with support for optimisation and troubleshooting when needed. Individualised movement plans help align sessions with each student’s physical, sensory, and educational goals, while regular monitoring ensures outcomes remain relevant and meaningful.

    This shared, team-based approach creates a sustainable model where movement becomes a natural part of the school day – benefiting both students and staff over the long term.

    Read about how schools are using Innowalk Pro
    CHAPTER 6

    Evidence and research supporting the Innowalk Pro

    The Innowalk Pro is supported by a growing body of clinical experience, emerging research, and real-world outcomes from schools and therapy settings. Together, this evidence highlights its value in enabling meaningful movement for students with complex physical needs.

    What the evidence shows in practice 

    By providing safe, weight-bearing, and guided movement in an upright position, the Innowalk Pro supports postural alignment and helps improve overall positioning throughout the day. For students with limited voluntary mobility, it also makes regular physical activity more accessible—something that can otherwise be difficult to achieve. This consistent movement can contribute to circulation, joint health, and general physical wellbeing.

    Beyond physical benefits, schools report positive effects in the classroom. Students are often more alert, engaged, and ready to participate after sessions, suggesting that integrating movement into the school day can support attention, behaviour, and learning.

    There is also growing indication that regular use may help reduce secondary complications linked to inactivity, such as stiffness and discomfort. Feedback from therapists and educators further supports this, with consistent reports of improved comfort, wellbeing, and engagement—reinforcing the value of embedding structured movement into daily routines.

    Key findings from a UK special school research study 

    Recent research from the United Kingdom provides new insight into how innovative, school-based interventions can support children with cerebral palsy (CP). In the first study of its kind in a UK special school setting, 27 children with severe motor impairments (GMFCS IV–V) used the Innowalk Pro alongside their usual physiotherapy over a six-week period.

    The findings suggest that integrating structured, supported movement into the school day can significantly improve both quality of life and individual functional goals. This is particularly important for children who face barriers to traditional physical activity due to limited mobility.

    As access to therapy remains a key challenge, solutions like the Innowalk Pro may help bridge the gap by enabling safe, repetitive movement in everyday environments such as classrooms.

    Read more about the study from UK
    CHAPTER 7

    How to get started

    Getting started with the Innowalk Pro is a guided and flexible process, designed to support schools and colleges at every stage - from initial exploration to long-term implementation. Whether you are just beginning to explore the solution or ready to integrate it into daily practice, Made for Movement provides hands-on support to ensure a smooth and successful journey. 

    Your step-by-step journey

    Accessing the Innowalk Pro for your setting typically follows a structured pathway: 

    Initial consultation

    Discuss your needs, student profiles, and goals with our specialists.

    Innowalk Pro demonstration day

    A demonstration is the best way to experience the Innowalk Pro in practice. Sessions are tailored to your setting and can be delivered in any accessible space with step-free wheelchair access and a power supply. Hoisting requirements can also be accommodated where needed.

    We recommend setting aside at least half a day to fully explore the device. During this time, you can:

    • learn about key features and benefits
    • try the device yourself
    • trial it with selected students

    Your Made for Movement Product Specialist will guide the session and help identify suitable participants based on size and needs.

    Download the Innowalk demonstration (PDF)

    Innowalk Pro loan period

    Following a demonstration day, schools can apply for a short-term Innowalk Pro loan (typically 4–6 weeks, depending on availability). The loan includes training for up to six therapy or highly skilled support staff, assessment and setup for up to six pupils, and an optimisation session to keep everything running smoothly.

    Your Product Specialist will also help with sizing, future pupil assessments, and can support fundraising or next steps after the loan period.

    Training and staff development (post-purchase)

    Once your school has purchased the Innowalk Pro, structured training ensures staff can use the device safely, confidently, and consistently as part of daily routines.

    Innowalk Pro Operator Training

    This full-day operator training (9:30am–3:00pm) is designed for staff who will be using the Innowalk Pro regularly in your setting. It prepares them to confidently and safely set up and run sessions based on prescribed settings.

    The course covers:

    • background and clinical rationale for Innowalk Pro
    • safety procedures and preparation
    • user-specific adjustments based on therapist-prescribed settings
    • practical handling, including safe “in and out” transfers

    It is intended for operators who will not be assessing users or changing clinical settings, and includes small-group training with supported practice for up to four users.

    Download the Innowalk Pro Operator Training overview (PDF)

    CHAPTER 8

    Ongoing support

    Implementing the Innowalk Pro is not just about introducing equipment—it’s about creating a sustainable, long-term movement programme. With the right support in place, schools and colleges can build confidence across teams and ensure consistent, high-quality use over time. 

    Supporting long-term success

    Made for Movement provides comprehensive ongoing support to ensure staff feel confident, capable, and supported at every stage.

    From the outset, schools receive hands-on training to enable safe and effective use of the Innowalk Pro. As confidence grows, our team continues to provide optimisation support, helping you tailor use of the device to each individual student’s needs and maximise outcomes.

    We also offer responsive troubleshooting guidance, ensuring that any questions or challenges can be quickly resolved with minimal disruption to daily routines.

    To maintain performance and reliability, the Uptime Service Program includes servicing and repairs—giving schools peace of mind that the equipment remains safe, effective, and ready for daily use.

    For more established settings, we offer a CPD-accredited “Train the Trainer” course. This enables experienced staff to train colleagues internally, supporting scalability, consistency, and long-term sustainability within your organisation.

    This partnership approach helps schools confidently embed movement into everyday practice, ensuring lasting impact for students with complex needs.

    Chapter 9

    UK Schools and colleges using the Innwoalk Pro

    Across the UK, more educational settings are bringing Innowalk Pro into everyday practice for their students with special educational needs and disabilities. The map below shows where Innowalk Pro is currently in use in schools and colleges across the country, highlighting a growing network that supports young people's wellbeing, participation, and development. 

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    e-book: Get key insight about Innowalk Pro in a SEN setting