The Special Partnership Trust is growing steadily and purposefully – expanding its reach through the development of Free Schools, sponsorship of schools, and a robust outreach programme. Every step is guided by our embedded vision, values, and ethos, ensuring quality and consistency across all settings.

We recognise the capacity required to deliver meaningful school improvement and development, and we’re committed to meeting the expectations of our partners and stakeholders through strategic collaboration and operational excellence.

Strategic Partnerships

We work closely with:

• Local Authorities across Cornwall, Plymouth, and Devon.
• Multi-Academy Trusts: Ted Wragg, Blackdown Education Partnership, Harbour Schools Partnership and Education South West.
• National organisations, including the Confederation of School Trusts, SWALLs, and the Network of SEN/AP CEOs.

Key partnerships include:

• Magdalen Court School:.
• Ellen Tinkham School
• Westhaven School
• Baytree Specialist School
• Combe Pafford School

We are also proud members of the Cornwall Academy Chief Executives (CACE) group, advocating for SEN and supporting practitioners across the region.

 

 

 

Growth Strategy

Our growth is carefully planned to meet local needs, respond to emerging challenges, and support schools seeking improvement or partnership.

^{Growth to Meet Local Need}

• Bosvena School (Bodmin, opened 2025): Specialist SEMH provision for ages 5–16.
• Castlebridge School (Ivybridge, opening 2027): Specialist academic provision with a strong PSHE curriculum.

^{Sponsoring Schools Needing Support}

• Orchard Manor (joined 2021)
• Brunel (joined 2023)
• Millwater School (joined Autumn 2024)

Each has benefited from our school improvement model and specialist support.

^{Seaton Hub}

Mill Water School is a specialist foundation school supporting children and young people aged 3–19 with severe and profound learning difficulties. While demand for our provision continues to grow, our current site at Bicton College is operating beyond capacity, limiting our ability to support more pupils and placing strain on facilities.

Originally designed for 100 learners, the school now accommodates 120 pupils, resulting in overcrowding and a reduction in specialist teaching spaces. This has impacted curriculum breadth, particularly for Post-16 learners, whose provision is currently not fit for purpose and lacks the independence-focused environments they need to prepare for adulthood.

To address these challenges, we are seeking to expand our provision through strategic partnerships and new locations. A proposed Post-16 hub in Seaton would provide a dedicated, accessible learning environment with strong links to local employers, transport networks, and community facilities. This would enable pupils to develop independence, access meaningful work experience, and transition successfully into adult life.

By investing in growth and collaboration, we aim to:

• Increase capacity and reduce reliance on costly independent placements
• Enhance curriculum breadth through specialist facilities
• Create meaningful pathways to employment and independence
• Strengthen community connections and local partnerships

We are committed to building sustainable partnerships that support our pupils to thrive, both within education and beyond.

Outreach & System Leadership

We champion inclusive education and equip staff to meet diverse needs through:

• CPD Programmes: Delivered by expert practitioners with practical, flexible support.
• Specialist Information Advice and Guidance (SIAG): A funded model supporting mainstream schools with inclusive practices and Quality First Teaching.
• Bespoke Outreach: Tailored support for individual pupils and staff across mainstream and specialist settings.

Our outreach is designed to:

• Enhance staff skills and confidence
• Deliver targeted interventions
• Drive system-wide improvement through sustainable, funded models

We are building long-term partnerships with MATs and Local Authorities to support SEN services and create lasting impact.

School Improvement & Infrastructure

We’ve developed a robust school improvement model that includes:

• Continuous professional development
• Capacity building across the Trust
• A clear quality assurance framework

Our Specialist Intervention Therapeutic Team works with therapists and professionals to deliver individualised support and upskill staff. This model will be extended to new schools and shared with mainstream colleagues.

Our Recruitment, Reward & Retention Strategy ensures we attract and retain high-quality staff through:

• Excellent working environments
• Leadership and coaching qualifications
• Ongoing professional development