(UK) Devon: School to add "Specialist Base" for 11 to 16 year olds; "need to increase local capacity to meet demand"

May 15, 2026, Devon County Council: Proposal to establish a Specialist Base (Special Educational Needs (SEN) Hub) at Exmouth Community College - Have your say

The Ted Wragg Trust is proposing to establish a Specialist Base at Exmouth Community College. It is proposed that the base will initially open in September 2026 with a small number of students, with the number increasing over the next 18 months up to a maximum capacity of 20 places as part of a phased implementation.

A Specialist base is a provision within a mainstream school where pupils are taught within separate classes. The Specialist base will support students from Year 7 to Year 11 [11 to 16 year olds] with communication and interaction needs (including autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and/or social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). All pupils attending the base would have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Background

Increasing local SEN provision is part of a county-wide strategy by Devon County Council in response to the demand for increased special educational needs provision and to enhance the inclusive capacity of mainstream schools. 

A Specialist base supports learners whose needs can be met in a mainstream setting, but who require a specialist environment and support within the school. Pupils are supported within this environment with an Education Health and Care Plan, small class sizes and high staffing ratios. Our aim is to enable pupils to fulfil their potential to successfully access their education on our site at Exmouth, either within the Specialist base, or with provision blended across the base and the mainstream school as appropriate to pupils’ individual needs.   

Evidence of need

Devon has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people with an EHCP since 2018.  There is a need to increase local capacity to meet demand around specific areas of growth which includes increasing support for pupils with Communication and Interaction needs and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. This proposal will ensure a better offer for children and young people that is local and suitable to their needs. 

The proposal will support more children with special educational needs to be educated and thrive in a local school and community, facilitating better access to the curriculum and avoiding the need for children to travel to an appropriate setting further away. . . .