Mill Water School, in East Devon, is celebrating the completion of a new stand-alone classroom that will provide additional teaching space and a welcoming, supportive environment for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The school is oversubscribed and common to many specialist settings, faces ongoing pressure on space.
But school leaders wanted to create a shared space that promotes connection, inclusion and belonging for children and their families, as well as increasing teaching space capacity.
So, they developed plans for a new school building intended to be available not just during the school day, but also for use outside school hours, including school holidays.
The intention being, to give SEND families somewhere they can access together outside the school day.
Feedback from parents showed strong support for the plans, with many families describing feelings of isolation and exclusion when using communal spaces that are inaccessible or feel unwelcoming.
“Sometimes we feel so alone,” said one parent.
“We can’t access the places that other families can,” said another.
The new building will be available for SEND families, community groups, and parent support networks, providing a safe and inclusive place where families can meet, build relationships and feel part of a wider community.
Parent, Sarah Irving, said the new facility will give the opportunity to families that feel isolated to meet other families with similar experience.
“The reality for many parent-carers is that school holidays are often a time of home-bound activities rather than having the opportunity of exploring new or different places,” she said.
“Safe, welcoming spaces that can accommodate complex needs are rare, leaving families feeling trapped and isolated.
“The family hub/outdoor classroom will offer so many families, like ourselves a place to go that’s non-judgmental, safe and welcoming.
“Most importantly it will support our children with fun activities in a beautiful environment.
“Having spaces, facilities and equipment that is accessible to all children that have profound complex needs will be life changing for so many families. It will help improve mental health and feelings of isolation as well as the physical benefits of outdoor activities in a part of Devon that is beautiful and calm.”
Headteacher Sarah Pickering said:
“This project has only been possible because of strong partnership working with Devon County Council, the generosity of local funding bodies and the determination and commitment of my staff.
“It is right that SEND families have a place where they feel safe, understood and genuinely welcome.”
The project has been in development since the summer of 2023, with construction starting in November 2025, and has been supported by charitable funding bodies who recognised the wider benefits for SEND wellbeing and community connection.
We (Devon County Council) also committed £400,000 towards the project.
Our local member for the Otter Valley division, Councillor Jess Bailey, officially opened the new facility. She said:
“The vision for the project has been on creating an inclusive, shared space that is much more than an additional teaching space, but that offers a place of connection, safety and belonging for families of children with SEND outside of the school day and during school holidays.”
Councillor Denise Bickley, our Cabinet Member with responsibility for services that support children and young people with SEND, said:
“This project is about giving SEND families a sense of belonging and reassurance that they are valued and supported within their community.
“I’m delighted that we have been able to help Mill Water School with their vision for families – and not just of Mill Water children – to create a space that reflects dignity, inclusion and understanding, and shows what can be achieved through partnership.
“The new building represents a meaningful investment in inclusion, emotional wellbeing and community connection, helping to ensure that SEND families are not only supported in practical ways but also feel visible, valued and not alone.
“The Mill Water site is a beautiful area, with many features that families will be able to enjoy, including fully inclusive play areas, a community orchard, as well as a fully equipped inside space.
“I can imagine this becoming a really well used, vital hub for SEND families, outside of normal school times, when families need a place to meet friends and support each other.”
