Inclusive Mainstream Fund For Schools

Everything You Need To Know About The Inclusive Mainstream Fund For School

Heard about the Inclusive Mainstream Fund but not sure what it means for your school? This page breaks down the government’s guidance into simple, practical advice, explaining who is eligible, how the funding works, what schools need to do, and how inclusive playground improvements may support your Inclusion Strategy.

Can I use the Inclusive Mainstream Fund for a playground?

The funding is not intended to be used directly on outdoor play equipment, but it may give schools greater flexibility to allocate available budgets towards other inclusive projects.

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Who Is Eligible For Mainstream Funding?

Eligible schools:

England only
Mainstream primary schools
Mainstream secondary schools
Mainstream middle Schools
Mainstreuam all-through schools
Maintained schools
Academies
Free schools

Learn about Early Years and the Inclusive Mainstream Fund.

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Why Has The Government Introduced It?

The Inclusive Mainstream Fund is part of a wider move to make school funding for inclusion simpler. It brings together existing funding schools already receive to support pupils with SEN, alongside new funding designed to strengthen inclusive provision. Schools can use this funding according to their own priorities, based on the needs of their pupils and their Inclusion Strategy.

Can You Use It For Playground Improvements?

The Department for Education expects schools to develop an Inclusion Strategy that is supported by wider school budgets, rather than relying solely on the Inclusive Mainstream Fund. While the guidance does not explicitly reference playgrounds, it gives schools flexibility to consider investments that remove barriers to participation and create more inclusive environments. Their Best Practice Document points towards making modest investments in this area, so any outdoor improvements should therefore be considered within the context of a school’s overall inclusion budget, rather than the grant in isolation.

Any plans to improve outdoor play spaces, particularly where they increase accessibility, support sensory needs or create more opportunities for inclusive play, should be linked to your school’s Inclusion Strategy.

What Do You Need To Do?

Before 31st December 2026 schools are required to publish an Inclusion Strategy, a plan explaining how they identify and support pupils with additional needs, and how they promote inclusive practice across the school.

Clear guidance and expectations on what should be included in the strategy has been set out by the DfE. If your project includes playground improvements, your strategy should explain how they will:

Change the outdoor environment to support identified needs, such as improving accessibility
Provide more inclusive opportunities for play
Create spaces that better support sensory and emotional regulation

The inclusive mainstream fund should not be considered the only source of funding to deliver this activity.

Inclusive Mainstream Fund: From Allocation To Inclusive Playground

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1. Recieve Your Funding

Funding is automatically allocated to eligble schools

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2. Identify Your Priorities

Consider where children face barriers to play, learning and participation

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3. Free Consultation

Creative Play site assessment, discuss objectives, make designs

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4. Write Inclusion Strategy

Include your playground improvement plans, how they support inclusion

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5. Publish By 3st December 2026

Let the world know your inclusive strategy plans

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6. Deliver Your Project

Move forward with the playground project when you’re ready

Top Tip: If you’re considering playground improvements as part of your Inclusion Strategy, arrange a free site consultation as soon as possible. With a fast approaching December 31st deadline, this gives you time to explore options and include the project within your published strategy.

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How Much Will You Get?

For 2026/27, eligible schools will receive a fixed lump sum of £3,000, plus additional funding based on:

Pupil numbers
Pupils with low prior attainment
Local costs

See how much your school has been allocated.

How Do You Receive The Funding?

The funding is automatically “allocated through a separate grant to local authorities (for maintained schools) and directly to academy trusts”. No application process is necessary.

What Playground Improvements Could Be Included?

Depending on your school’s needs, your Inclusion Strategy could include a combination of the following:

Inclusive Play Equipment: Equipment designed to enable children of different abilities to play together, encouraging shared experiences and greater participation.
Accessible Surfacing: Wetpour, pathways and other surfacing solutions that improve accessibility for wheelchair users and children with mobility needs.
Sensory Play: Interactive equipment, musical features and allotments designed to support sensory exploration and emotional regulation.
Quiet Spaces: Calmer areas that provide children with opportunities to regulate emotions, recharge and enjoy quieter forms of play.

This image shows a male pupil meditating

Outdoor Classrooms: Shelters and learning environments that extend teaching beyond the classroom and support a wider range of learning styles.
Communication & Education Play: Play panels and interactive features that encourage communication, imaginative play and learning through exploration.

Every school’s priorities are different. We can help you identify which improvements best support your Inclusion Strategy and develop a proposal tailored to your pupils and available funding.

This image shows a male pupil jumping from a playground ladder

How Creative Play Can Help

If you’re considering playground improvements, we’ll provide everything you need to assess the project and include it within your planning:

With the 31 December 2026 Inclusion Strategy deadline approaching, schools are encouraged to begin planning early.

Our team can help assess your outdoor space, discuss how it could support your inclusion objectives and provide everything needed to develop your proposal. We recommend reserving your free site consultation soon to secure a convenient appointment before our schedule becomes full.

Important: The Department for Education does not publish a list of approved purchases for the Inclusive Mainstream Fund. Schools are responsible for determining how best to fund the actions identified in their Inclusion Strategy, using the grant alongside wider school budgets where appropriate.