The Springfields Academy in Calne has welcomed education professionals from across the South West to see how its specialist approach could help improve inclusion in mainstream schools.
The discovery morning, held on Thursday 15th October, was part of the South West Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme.
Springfields is a specialist school for autistic young people aged four to 19, currently supporting 284 pupils, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Visitors took part in learning walks, discussions with senior leaders and a tour of the school’s adapted provisions. Sessions covered literacy and communication, personal development and the school’s wider approach to inclusion.
Headteacher Sam Cottrell opened the event by explaining the school’s work, before visitors had the opportunity to observe lessons and discuss what they had seen with staff.
The morning also explored how the school’s personalised pathways, therapy-first approach and wider support could help mainstream schools develop more inclusive provision.
Springfields works with staff, families and external partners to identify and remove barriers to learning, with the aim of helping every pupil thrive.
The event follows national recognition for the school, which was recently named one of just eight Beacon schools in the country by the National Autistic Society. The award recognises its work supporting autistic pupils and sharing expertise with other schools and organisations.
Springfields has also achieved Advanced status in the National Autistic Society’s Autism Specialist Award for the second time.
The school’s recent Ofsted inspection resulted in the highest possible ‘Exceptional’ judgement in three areas, with inspectors describing its impact on autistic pupils and young people with additional needs as “truly transformative”.
Nicola Whitcombe, Regional Director for Reach South Academy Trust, said the event gave colleagues from across the region an opportunity to learn from the school’s work.
She said specialist schools had a wealth of expertise that could support the wider education system, and that the morning allowed visitors to explore how successful approaches could be adapted to different settings.
Tom Leverage, chief executive of Reach South Academy Trust, said sharing Springfields’ expertise was an important part of the school’s role in the wider education system.
He said the event showed the value of bringing education professionals together to see specialist practice first-hand and consider how it could help improve inclusion in other settings.
The Springfields Academy is part of Reach South Academy Trust and supports pupils aged four to 19, with the aim of helping them build safe, independent lives beyond school.
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