YOUNGSTERS with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a brand new school offering specialist education with the arrival of Holme Court Devon.

The new school will be based within the grounds of Shebbear College, while operating as a separate school with its own identity, leadership and specialist educational provision.

It comes at a time of significant and sustained growth in demand for support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Devon County Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy reports that the number of children and young people in Devon with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has risen by 117 per cent over the past seven years, compared with an 80 per cent rise nationally. Around six per cent of Devon’s school population now has an EHCP, compared with 4.75 per cent nationally.

Holme Court Devon, part of Inspired Learning Group (ILG), is being developed to help meet that need by providing a specialist, therapy-led education for young people from Year 5 to Year 11.

The curriculum will be individually tailored and will combine academic learning with vocational, therapeutic and outdoor experiences, helping each young person build confidence, independence and a pathway towards a future that is right for them.

Inside Holme Court Devon (Picture: ILG)
Inside Holme Court Devon (Picture: ILG) (ILG)

Tracey Fleming, the headteacher, Holme Court Devon said: “I care deeply about what Holme Court Devon can bring to local children, families, schools and the wider community. Our aim is to leave no stone unturned in creating an education that responds to each young person as an individual and gives them a meaningful pathway into the future.”

The arrival of the school within the Shebbear College campus was also given a warm welcome by the head of the school.

Charlie Jenkins, the head of Shebbear College said: “We are delighted to welcome Holme Court Devon to the Shebbear College site and to support the arrival of this important new provision for children and families in the region.

“While Shebbear College and Holme Court Devon will remain two distinct schools, each with its own identity, leadership and educational provision, we see real value in having a specialist SEND school within our wider campus community.

“We very much look forward to developing a positive relationship with the Holme Court team and supporting them as they establish their new school here in Shebbear.”

Families, children, education professionals and local partners are being invited to discover a new specialist SEND provision in North Devon when Holme Court Devon opens its doors for a community open day on Friday, October 2, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

The new school will be based within the grounds of Shebbear College, while operating as a separate school with its own identity, leadership and specialist educational provision.

The open day will give families and professionals the opportunity to explore the Holme Court Devon setting within the Shebbear College grounds, meet members of the Holme Court and Inspired Learning Group leadership teams, ask questions about the planned provision and learn more about the school’s therapy-led approach.