Sponsored by TG Escapes

Presented to the UK SEN Establishment that can demonstrate an increase in the quality of care and education services provided to students with Special Educational Needs

2025 Winner: Leigh Academy Milestone, Essex

Leigh Academy Milestone made history as the first Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for Profound, Severe, and Complex Needs (PSCN) to achieve International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status in September 2024. This milestone reflects its commitment to providing a globally-focused, ambitious education. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) has enhanced inquiry-based learning, leading to a 20% improvement in reading for EAL learners and 90% of students meeting development targets. Leigh Academy Milestone promotes global citizenship, engaging in community projects like bee conservation and care home visits. Recognised by IB Director-General Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Leigh Academy Milestone is redefining SEN education globally.
 

Commended

Millgate School, Leicester

Millgate offers a comprehensive, individualised curriculum that emphasises both academic achievement and personal development. A dedicated team, including a SENCo, assistant SENCo, and support staff, collaborates to create a nurturing environment, addressing each student's unique requirements. The on-site residential facility, The Bryant Residence, accommodates up to eight pupils per night, providing extended support beyond the classroom. Millgate's holistic approach ensures students develop essential life skills, resilience, and confidence, preparing them for successful futures. The school also emphasises community engagement, with students actively participating in charity initiatives that foster empathy and societal awareness. ​
 

Burlington House School, London

​Burlington House, formerly The Moat School, supports students aged 7 to 19 with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and speech and language challenges. The school's learning environment emphasises the arts, drama, and physical education, catering to children who may not thrive in a mainstream setting. Integrated therapeutic support, such as speech and language therapy, is embedded within the curriculum, ensuring comprehensive care. This commitment to individualised education has led to outstanding GCSE results, with the school achieving the best outcomes for a specific learning difficulties specialist in the UK. In recognition of its exceptional provision, Burlington House School was named "Best SEN School" in The Week magazine's 2024 independent school guide.
 

LVS Hassocks, Sussex

As a specialist Independent school for pupils aged 11-19 with Autism, LVS Hassocks' rich history of success includes two ISA Awards (2023) and regular recognition in the annual TES Awards. Its status as an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence was renewed in 2024. Recently, the school has achieved the Rainbow Flag Award for its neuro divergence and encouragement of the LGBT + Inclusive community, partly due to building LGBT + issues into its curriculum. Held in 2024, the Pride Cafe helped to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues as well as raise money for some selected LGBTQ+ youth charities. A 'significant' improvement in GCSE results was recorded last  year.
 

Castledon School, Essex

Castledon School in Wickford, Essex, is a leader in SEND education, dedicated to enhancing life chances for young people. Its bespoke curriculum blends academic achievement and life skills, preparing students for adulthood through community engagement, accredited qualifications, and residential programmes. Expert leadership and teaching ensure a total communication approach, while outdoor learning, therapy partnerships, and real-world work experiences foster independence. Strong family and community ties, supported by the Friends of Castledon charity, enhance student opportunities. Recognised by Ofsted for high expectations and outstanding support, Castledon is a model of excellence in SEND education, deserving national recognition.
 

Endeavour Academy, Kent

​Endeavour Academy offers a tailored curriculum that emphasises personal growth and well-being, incorporating subjects like BTEC Level 2 in Personal Growth and Wellbeing and Animal Care and Handling to engage learners. A total communication approach, including Makaton and visual timetables, ensures accessibility for all students. Collaborations with educational psychologists, therapists, and social care providers offer holistic support, preparing students for adulthood. The academy's inclusive culture and community partnerships enrich the educational experience, fostering confidence and independence among learners. In 2023, Endeavour Academy received the Excellence in Special Schools and Alternative Provision award at the National SEND Awards, recognising its outstanding support for pupil development.
 

Treloar's School, Hampshire

Treloar’s prioritises PE and sport as key motivators, fostering a ‘Can Do’ outlook through curriculum pathways and extracurricular activities. Ofsted praised the school’s exemplary PE and Physical Wellbeing curriculum, and Treloar’s School earned the afPE Quality Mark with distinction. The Adapted Games Curriculum, developed with therapy teams, enhances mobility and life skills, while fitness activities promote independence and lifelong physical engagement. Students excel in Boccia at Paralympic levels and participate in mainstream competitions like Dance Live. Treloar’s School also expands Disability Sports Day and staff training to promote inclusion, ensuring all students thrive in sports and beyond.

2024 Winner: The Cedar School

Based in Southampton, The Cedar School works with The Solent Careers Hub to provide careers education to SEND students, helping to set them on diverse career paths. It has built a portfolio of companies which are not only prepared to adapt to accommodate the inclusive needs of its students, but are also excited to learn about how their companies will be enriched by the input of Cedar pupils.

Commended

Red Kite Special Academy, Northampton
The Cedar School, Southampton
The Holmewood School, London
Stony Dean School, Buckinghamshire

2023 Winner: Pioneer School, Essex

As part of Pioneer’s ‘Pillars of Curriculum’, therapists work closely with classroom staff to plan and deliver lessons using a pupil centred approach. This enables them to become ‘courageous learners’ and make best progress possible. First class facilities include three dedicated sensory spaces and a state-of-the-art Immersive Room, the first of its kind in the UK.

Commended
Whitefield Academy Trust, London
Westlea Primary, Swindon
Moon Hall School, Surrey
Castledon School, Essex

2022 Winner
Parker E-ACT Academy

Commended
Fir Vale School, Sheffield
Marine Academy Primary, Plymouth

2021 Winner
Bramfield House School, Suffolk

Bramfield House School takes boys from a wide catchment who have failed in several settings and who have significant social, emotional and mental health needs. The curriculum offers a range of activities not usually accessed by boys in settings of its type, ranging from rock climbing, sailing and archery to bi-annual ski trip. A school farm, horticulture area, construction and motor mechanics facilities are all on site and combine to help offers a sense of belonging as well as therapeutic approaches to building boys confidence and sense of self worth. Over subscribed for the last 2 years, Bramfield is now looking to expand and build in the next year.

Commended
Acorn Park School, Norfolk
Bridgeway School, Lancashire
Glenwood School, Essex 
Baston House School, Kent

2020 Winner
The Gretton School, Cambridgeshire

Gretton, a specialist school for students aged 5 to 19 years old and part of the Cavendish Education Group, provides a first class education to children on the Autistic Spectrum Continuum. Over the summer, a modular build STEAM block was completed which provides two science labs, a design and technology workshop, art studio and associated services. Recently, the school was awarded Gold by Teach Well Alliance for taking care of the physical and mental well-being of staff during the Corona Virus pandemic. Three teachers were also recognised in this years Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Commended

Lexden Springs School, Essex
Millgate School, Leicester
Joseph Clarke School, London

2019 Winner
Castledon School & College, Essex

An ambitious vision to raise awareness of inclusion and special needs is gradually being realised through the exciting work pupils do within the community. The school’s family and inclusion team works with community organisations and employers to ensure that professionals and parents gain a better understanding of the needs of the students with SEND. Leaders make excellent use of community facilities to enhance students’ independent learning.

Commended

Gilbrook Primary School, Wirral
Many children at Gilbrook have attachment issues and are, or have been, subject to some level of social care support. Outdoor learning programmes encourage their holistic development and extend into the wider community, creating links with other schools and educational settings, parents and other stakeholders having fun, sharing experiences and learning together. A dedicated land based learning area provides the children with the chance to learn practical life skills.

Landmarks Specialist College, Yorkshire
Landmarks is a thriving, Independent Specialist College for people with learning difficulties and disabilities from age 16 upwards. The College offers a wide range of pathways for people with learning difficulties and disabilities from age 16 upwards. These are individually tailored to effectively prepare learners for adulthood, independence and where appropriate, employment. Learners can be assessed to receive support from specialist on-site multi-disciplinary teams.

Options Trent Acres School, Staffordshire
Options Trent Acres offers education and residential care to boys and girls aged between eight and 18 years with autism and a range of complex needs including mild learning disabilities. Following a surprise inspection carried out over two days in October, the school was given an Outstanding rating, with factors including a wide-ranging, exciting curriculum that is highly effective in supporting the development of a broad range of skills and building students’ self-esteem.

Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Wirral
At Clare Mount, the provision for Autistic pupils has grown quite dramatically from nine years ago when the school welcomed its first cohort of eight Year 7 pupils. Having gained the NAS Advanced Autism Accreditation in November 2018, the percentage of higher grades has increased significantly. In Sixth Form, all students access work experience one day per week for the whole academic year. Autism specialists at the school constantly providing training to all staff.

2018 Winner
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Merseyside

Commended

Pontville School, Cumbria
Alderman Knight School, Gloucestershire
William Henry Smith School, West Yorkshire
Castledon Academy, Essex
Hillcrest Jubilee School, Warwickshire

2017 Winner
Hall Cliffe Primary School

During Hall Cliffe’s weekly school forum meetings, children brainstormed ideas on how they would like to be credited for progress, which resulted in the HERO’s (Helping Everyone, Respect Others) initiative. This encourages and rewards progress in academic success, showing good behaviour and being a positive role model.

Commended

Lakeside School Oak View SEN School
Gilbrook School
St James C of E Primary (unit provision)
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College

2016 Winner
Parkside Complex Needs School, Norwich

Parkside School has retained its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating, with particular praise given for the White Lion Café. A ‘phenomenal success’, the café offers pupils with transferrable skills, outside the classroom learning, as well as providing ‘a safe refuge for vulnerable young people from similar schools’. Each class works in the cafe one morning a week, doing the cooking, cleaning, and serving the public.

Commended

Catcote Academy, Hartlepool
Westmoorland School, Lancashire
Greenside School, Hertfordshire
The Moat School, London

2015 Winner
Uplands School, Swindon

Uplands School is a vibrant and caring community that supports children to develop independent life skills. It is a truly inclusive school that offers innovative and inspirational provision to ensure that all pupils reach their full potential. Effective communication is at the heart of the school, with a unique and flexible curriculum designed to maximise student engagement and progress.

Commended

Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre, Caerphilly
Oakleigh School, London
Longdon Hall School, Staffordshire