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ACE Tiverton
This school is for children and young people with social communication needs. All of our students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies social communication needs and/or a primary need of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs associated with autistic spectrum condition (ASC).
Our students work within age-related expectations, can access an age-related curriculum and aspire to be independent members of society. We personalise our teaching approach and provision to meet our students’ needs.
About our school
ACE Tiverton is a new school for pupils with ASC and SEMH needs. We offer small class sizes and a broad curriculum to enable students to prepare successfully for their next stage of learning. After leaving us, ACE Tiverton students typically progress into further education colleges, and other training and employment opportunities.
Our vision statement
We are a learning community that is built on strong trusting relationships, a deep sense of belonging and high aspirations for our students.
We enable all members of our learning family to be the very best they can be in all areas of their lives.
We support and challenge each other to develop learning and life skills that create a resilient sense of self and help to ensure the very best future for each of us.
Facilities
- Small class sizes.
- A specialist teaching assistant in every class.
- Commissioned support from:
- occupational therapists
- speech and language therapists
- Sensory room.
- Comprehensive and specialist pastoral care with therapeutic support from emotional literacy support assistants.
ACE Tiverton – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about ACE Tiverton in our directory of schools.
Barley Lane, Exeter
Barley Lane School is designated SEMH and works with and for diverse children and young people and their families across key stages 2, 3 and 4. The school is a day school with up to 80 places.
Common themes of need are ACE, ADHD, ASD, PDA, ODD SpLD and access to SALT but equally many of our young people simply need the emotional security of a smaller and more child-centred school and stable relationships with skilled, caring and optimistic adults.
Classes are small and nurturing and whilst we have specialist teachers many of our young people stay within a primary model and often with the same teacher over time as this stability undoubtedly promotes their wellbeing and so enables them to feel happy and so learn. Where children are particularly complex and sometimes vulnerable there is limited access to very small and highly supported groups.
The school’s prevailing culture is rooted in building safe, positive and compassionate relationships and recognizing the children’s innate worth; celebrating their successes but also the many challenges they overcome and it seeks to promote and embed the children’s happiness and wellbeing. There is also more targeted and specialist support and a school counsellor, staff trained in ELSA and access to skilled one to one mentoring.
The curriculum is increasingly bespoke and personalised and also necessarily broad to accommodate a diverse and able student body: it is both academic with GCSEs in core subjects and a variety of accredited vocational courses at college is offered from year 9. The curriculum is also enriched with many activities from DofE to drumming, mountain biking to opera and this contributes to the young people’s happiness and wellbeing and so their engagement in learning; they have fun.
Some of our young people return to mainstream school and almost all successfully transition to college: some onwards to university others to training and to work of all kinds.
About our school
We know your child is talented, unique and complex. The team here is a dedicated and caring group and they work hard with parents and carers and professionals to understand and support each young person individually and better.
The children’s safety and happiness are paramount: the curriculum is broad and varied, both academic and vocational with a range of GCSEs and vocational qualifications. Our students can also access a variety of enriching experiences from abseiling (we offer the DofE award too) to opera.
We want school to be a place where children and young people want to be because they feel valued and cared for but also challenged and supported to develop as learners and as people.
Barley Lane – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Barley Lane in our directory of schools.
Bidwell Brook, Dartington
This is a school for learners with an EHCP who have significant cognition and learning needs.
Some of our learners have severe, profound, and multiple disabilities and complex medical needs. Most also have sensory and communication needs.
All pupils follow personalised learning programmes to build on their strengths and develop their skills. Many are not yet able to access subject-specific learning.
Personalised planning continues into our further education provision where learners follow individual plans to support their preparation for adulthood.
Pupils are taught in small groups and the school uses a Total Communication approach. We believe that learners have a right to have their voices heard and high-quality advocacy ensures this happens.
The school takes a holistic approach to children and young people’s development supporting their social and emotional development and the functional skills young people need to support independence in daily living. We provide opportunities for outdoor learning and adventurous activities along with support to meet sensory processing needs.
About our school
Bidwell Brook is a part of the Learn to Live Federation with Ellen Tinkham.
- All our pupils have either severe or profound learning difficulties.
- Our environment is ideal for outdoor learning and adventures.
Our vision
- Everyone will be the best that they can be.
- Everyone has a voice.
- No one is excluded.
We are committed to putting our pupils and students at the heart of everything we do, through our holistic approach to education. We know that children learn best when they are in an environment that is responsive to their needs. Our school provides a positive and stimulating experience unique to each individual that also ensures their full educational entitlement.
Facilities
- Single site.
- Rural skills and outdoor learning.
- Allotment.
- Hydrotherapy pool.
- Sensory hub.
- Co-located medical and therapy provision.
Bidwell Brook – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Bidwell Brook in our directory of schools
Ellen Tinkham, Exeter
This is a school for learners with an EHCP who have significant cognition and learning needs.
Some of our learners have severe, profound and multiple disabilities and complex medical needs. Most also have sensory and communication needs.
All pupils follow personalised learning programmes to build on their strengths and develop their skills. Many are not yet able to access subject specific learning.
Personalised planning continues into our further education provision where learners follow individual plans to support their preparation for adulthood.
Pupils are taught in small groups and the school uses a Total Communication approach. We believe that learners have a right to have their voices heard and high-quality advocacy ensures this happens.
The school takes a holistic approach to children and young people’s development supporting their social and emotional development and the functional skills young people need to support their independence in daily living. We provide opportunities for outdoor learning and adventurous activities along with support to meet sensory processing needs.
About our school
Ellen Tinkham is part of the Learn to Live Federation with Bidwell Brook.
It has 2 sites:
- Ellen Tinkham School – for children in the early years and primary phase of education
- Ellen Tinkham College – for pupils in secondary school and further education
Our vision
- Everyone will be the best that they can be.
- Everyone has a voice.
- No one is excluded.
We are committed to putting our pupils and students at the heart of everything we do, through our holistic approach to education. We know that children learn best when they are in an environment that is responsive to their needs. Our school provides a positive and stimulating experience unique to each individual that also ensures their full educational entitlement.
Facilities
- Two sites.
- Rural skills and outdoor learning.
- Allotment.
- Hydrotherapy pool.
- Sensory hub.
- Co-located medical and therapy provision.
Ellen Tinkham – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Ellen Tinkham in our directory of schools.
Glendinning Academy, Newton Abbot
Glendinning is a new special free school and part of the Wave Multi Academy Trust. It caters for learners with complex social communication needs, including autism spectrum condition. The new school building has been designed to meet the needs of pupils with sensory processing and emotional needs such as high anxiety.
About our school
Pupils are taught in small classes of up to 11 and there is at least one teaching assistant in every class.
Learners follow the International Primary Curriculum or International Middle Years Curriculum with a strong emphasis on community involvement. They aspire to achieve GCSE and BTEC qualifications along with functional and vocational skills by the time they leave school.
Pupils will progress into further education, employment and training after reaching age 16.
Our mission statement
We will provide the highest quality education which enables all children to succeed and achieve the best social, emotional and academic outcomes.
We recognise that each child learns differently and use a range of methods to ensure that we can tailor our approach to their individual strengths.
We work with families, partners and multi-professional teams to ensure that we are supporting all pupils’ needs and establishing an ethos where they feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and feel safe.
Facilities
- Soft play area.
- Sensory room.
- Beach School, Forest School and outdoor learning room.
- Animal therapy.
- Lego therapy.
- Singalong.
- Life skills room.
- Support for emotional development (including Emotional Logic).
Glendinning House – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Glendinning Academy in our directory of schools.
The Lampard Community School, Barnstaple
Children and young people attending this school have significant needs in the area of communication and interaction and this is specified in an EHCP. Many have a diagnosis of autism and/or have needs relating to speech, language and communication (SLCN).
Due to their complex profile of needs, including needs relating to cognition and learning, pupils are working well below age-related expectations. Therefore, at KS4 students take Entry Level/Level 1 Functional Skills qualifications and a range of vocational options at Entry Level.
Typically, our students move on to supported learning at Petroc College to access a progressive and meaningful post-16 education.
Our mission statement
We are a positive learning community built on the relationships we make. Our bespoke EMPOWER curriculum aims to promote independence, communication and emotional wellbeing.
We are committed to providing our students with the best education based on these curriculum drivers to equip them to go on to live an active and fulfilled life as adults in the modern world.
We want our students to realise their aspirations and make positive steps towards developing the skills needed for future employment.
About our school
Our curriculum is ambitious – it is coherently planned and sequenced, and carefully designed to meet the holistic needs of all our students.
It allows all students to recognise their skills, qualities, aspirations, and goals.
It supports engagement with the arts and embraces digital technologies to support learning in the modern world.
It is broad and balanced and features real-life opportunities to practise all-important life skills to help prepare them for their future.
Facilities
- Fourteen class bases.
- Three playgrounds and outside play equipment.
- An equipped Science room.
- An equipped Food Technology room.
- An Art and Design room.
- A small Sensory room.
- A Forest School area.
- An allotment.
Typically, our class sizes are between 8-10 students dependent on provision specified in the students’ EHCP. The student to staff ratio is typically 3:1.
The Lampard Community School – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about The Lampard Community School in our directory of schools.
Marland School (Barnstaple, Bideford and Peters Marland)
This three-site school caters for children and young people in year 2 to year 11 (aged between 7 and 16) who have SEMH needs described on an EHCP.
- Primary day school (Bideford): Co-educational Y2-Y7.
- Secondary day school (Barnstaple): Co-educational Y7-Y11.
- Residential school (Peters Marland) Y6-Y11, boys only, 5 day/4 night weekly residential.
The school and Local Authority are currently reviewing numbers and age ranges.
All three schools provide a broad and balanced personalised curriculum with daily focus on positive social/emotional regulation and development as a priority.
Due to their complexity of need, students are taught in small, well supported groups (and occasionally on an individual basis where such support is additionally commissioned). All students can access subject specific subject teaching.
Where students improve to such an extent that their needs would be better met in a mainstream school this can be facilitated via the annual review process. Most students achieve a broad range of national qualifications and go on to successfully transition to a post-16 further education college when they leave Marland at the end of year 11.
Our mission statement
Our students are an untapped resource of positive potential. Our aim, in partnership with parents/carers and support professionals, is to fully meet the individual needs of every child or young person.
To personalise our positive based approaches to enable all to flourish and develop into happy, independent, emotionally literate, well educated, socially confident and productive members of society.
Facilities
Our three schools have been extensively updated and/or rebuilt in recent years and we now offer high quality, modern, age and SEN appropriate provisions. For full details of each separate site please visit our new Marland School website.
- Marland Primary Day School, Chanters Road, Bideford, EX39 2QN. Call on 01237 876300.
- Marland Secondary Day School, Springfield Court, Brannam Crescent, Roundswell, Barnstaple, EX31 3TD. Call on 01271 335500.
- Marland Residential School Peters Marland, Torrington, EX38 8QQ. Call on 01805 601324.
Marland School – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Marland School in our directory of schools.
Mill Water School, Bicton
Mill Water is an all-age special school for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties, including autism, multi-sensory impairment, and speech, language, and communication difficulties.
The school works closely with parents and carers to support pupils in making good progress towards their future goals. Pupils follow personalised learning programmes to build on their strengths and develop their skills. They are taught in small groups. Teaching is multi-sensory with alternative and augmentative forms of communication used routinely throughout the day.
The school takes a holistic approach to pupil development, addressing social and emotional needs and the functional skills young people need to assist in developing independence in daily living. Many pupils access therapeutic support to meet their communication, sensory, physical and emotional needs.
About our school
Mill Water is an age 3-19 special school educating pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties.
Our mission statement
All staff are committed to providing the care and support our pupils need to reach their full potential. We always celebrate the smallest steps of achievement as well as being committed to delivering a purposeful education.
Facilities
- Light/dark sensory rooms.
- Soft play.
- Hydrotherapy pool.
- ICT facilities.
- Spacious grounds and outside play equipment.
Mill Water School – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Mill Water in our directory of schools.
Orchard Manor, Dawlish
The pupils at Orchard Manor follow a broad and balanced curriculum, aligned to the National Curriculum and Development Matters, that will prepare them for their next stages in life.
Pupils engage in a wide range of academic subjects and qualifications (including GCSE, BTEC, Entry Level, Functional Skills), vocational and work-related learning (including vocational courses and work experience), life skills (including Skills Builder and ASDAN) and sensory and communication-based curriculums, depending on their individual needs, abilities, interests and aspirations.
The school site is spread over 15 acres which provide great recreation and learning outside the classroom opportunities, including Forest School, rural skills, outdoor education, PE and sport.
Orchard Manor has its own speech and language therapist, school counsellor, Thrive practitioners, Early Help for Mental Health ‘Diamonds’ and trained mentors who support the holistic development of our pupils including effective social communication skills and positive mental health and wellbeing, which are both crucial parts of everyday life at school.
About our school
Orchard Manor School is a residential special school that caters for 190 students aged 3-19, with 35 residential places.
We provide education and care for pupils with communication and interaction difficulties, autistic spectrum conditions, and associated learning needs.
Pupils attend either as weekly residential (Monday to Friday, term time only) or as day pupils.
Staff are extensively trained to support a wide variety of education, pedagogical, SEND, safeguarding and care needs and continue to enhance practice to benefit pupil progress.
Our mission statement
Our pupils are at the centre of everything we do and we consistently strive for high-quality education and care.
We strive to understand their individual needs and promote positive mental health and well-being recognising the importance of this in supporting them to reach their full potential, be happy, safe and included in school and the wider community.
We enable them to express themselves in the knowledge that they are listened to and that theirs is the most important voice. Together, we support them into adulthood.
Facilities
- Weekly residential.
- Vocational work centre.
- Café.
- Forest school.
- Rural skills.
- Subject specialist classrooms.
- Swimming pool.
- Sensory rooms.
- Interactive sensory floor.
- Therapy dog.
- High/Low ropes course.
- Mountain bike course.
Orchard Manor – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Orchard Manor in our directory of schools.
Pathfield School, Barnstaple
This school caters for children and young people whose EHCP refers to significant cognition and learning needs.
The majority of pupils will have severe and complex needs in two or more areas and some will have profound and multiple complex needs.
Pupils are unlikely to be engaged in subject-specific learning by the end of Key Stage 2. Children and young people follow personalised and developmental programmes with the aim of building learning skills and are taught in small groups.
Teaching is multi-sensory with alternative and augmentative forms of communication used routinely throughout the day. The school takes a holistic approach to children and young people’s development, addressing social and emotional development and the functional skills young people need to assist their daily living.
Many pupils access therapeutic support to meet their communication, sensory, physical and emotional needs.
About our school
Pathfield School provides high-quality learning opportunities for children and young adults with severe, profound and complex needs including autism.
Our mission statement
Our school is a welcoming, thriving community where staff, children and parents work closely together to ensure that all of our students receive the best education and care that we are able to offer.
Facilities
- Multi-sensory environment.
- Hydrotherapy pool, music therapy.
- Therapy support base.
- Access to medical clinics and two school nurses.
- Person-centred reviews and planning.
- School council.
- On-site post-16 provision including work experience opportunities.
Discovery Centre
This is for learners aged 11-16 who have high anxiety and social, emotional and mental health needs. These young people follow programmes of work leading to Foundation level qualifications, life skills and for some, GCSE qualifications in English and maths. All move on into local further education provision.
Pathfield School – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Pathfield School in our directory of schools.
Southbrook School, Exeter
Pupils in both key stages 3 and 4 have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, with life skills as a key element running throughout.
Pupil pathways at Key Stage 4 are designed to provide a breadth of experience and skills to prepare pupils for next steps as well as opportunities to gain a wide range of qualifications, including a small range of GCSEs, Entry Levels, Functional Skills, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, AQA Unit Awards and vocational qualifications.
Depending on the needs of the pupils a range of personalised approaches and strategies are used within and outside of the classroom. These include the use of additional support, specialised resources and equipment, alternative curriculum packages, literacy, numeracy and therapeutic interventions.
About our school
Southbrook is a secondary age foundation special school within a Co-operative Trust (known as the SENtient Trust) of nine Local Authority maintained special schools in Devon.
We are a provision for pupils aged 11-16 with varied complex needs and abilities, all of whom have EHCPs.
We cater for children and young people with moderate and severe learning difficulties and/or disabilities, social and emotional difficulties, autistic spectrum conditions and speech, language and communication difficulties, sensory needs and physical difficulties and/or disabilities.
Our mission statement
Our mission statement was created following a collaborative project between pupils, staff and governors.
At all times we seek to:
- respect all
- always try hard
- make safe and healthy choices
- enjoy life
Facilities
Southbrook is in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by trees and its own woodland area, a haven for wildlife!
Our other facilities include:
- a large sports field/football pitch/running track
- an all-weather playground with shelters and play equipment
- an allotment area
- an ICT suite
- a specially equipped teaching area for art, design technology, science and food technology
- quiet areas/rooms for therapeutic work
Southbrook School – download a PDF version of the information.
You can find more information about Southbrook School in our directory of schools.
The information provided on this page can also be downloaded as PDF files and these are intended for use offline. As a result, the PDFs may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technology.
Information about Devon’s maintained and academy special schools – full PDF download.