Devon County Council has partnered with the Special Partnership Trust to open a new state-funded special school for young people with autism, social, emotional and mental health needs.

It’s only been open since the beginning of September, but Castlebridge School in Tavistock is already having a huge impact on the 12 pupils currently attending - some of whom have not been to school for up to three years due to the complexity of their needs.

The school is relatively small, with a maximum capacity of 30 pupils when fully operational. Its parent site - a larger Department for Education-funded special school in Ivybridge - is in the planning stages and expected to open in mid-2027.

Together, the two schools will not only provide one-to-one tailored support to help pupils achieve academic qualifications and essential life skills, but also offer guidance to neighbouring mainstream schools.

“Our school is for young people who find mainstream schooling too challenging and need something different to meet their needs,” said Head Teacher Bridget Williams. “We have six pupils attending all day, every day. It’s huge that they feel able to come into school because some have been out of education for two or three years. For them to attend full time has just been fantastic.

“We’re also building relationships with other pupils through home visits and family engagement, developing a deep understanding of what each young person needs to access education in our setting. Some pupils are attending daily but on part-time timetables.”

The building has had various uses over its lifetime, but Devon County Council has now repurposed it to accommodate pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

All pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans, and admissions are coordinated with the council.

The modernised interior includes small classrooms, some multi-use and others, such as the science lab, purpose-built. There’s a fully equipped kitchen that doubles as a classroom for cooking and life skills lessons, and a large, vaulted-ceiling hall used for mealtimes and as a breakout space.

Other facilities include a library, sensory room, IT suite and outdoor learning areas. Inside, the calming colour scheme and heavily insulated ceilings help reduce noise - crucial for pupils with sensory needs.

“It’s just a good space to be, with lots of options for breakout rooms and low-sensory environments,” said Bridget. “Our children can really focus on their learning, develop vital life skills and reach their full potential into adulthood.”

Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for services supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities, recently visited the school.

“I’ve really enjoyed coming here today,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see how a school can be designed with children in mind right from the outset. The soundproofing, small classrooms and calm, inclusive spaces make such a difference for pupils with sensory and auditory processing needs. It’s a warm, comfortable and inclusive environment - brilliant to see.”

As well as thoughtful design, Counsellor Bickley praised the dedication of the staff, who are trained and experienced in supporting young people with autism and related needs.

“Our wider strategy is about making inclusive learning ordinarily available to all pupils, including those with special educational needs, in our mainstream schools,” she said. “But we also recognise that for some pupils, mainstream settings aren’t right. Schools like Castlebridge are vital parts of our sufficiency strategy, helping us ensure the right provision is available in the right places.”