A Devon school trust has been recognised on the national stage after its specialist SEND team was highly commended for its work supporting some of the county’s most vulnerable children.
The Learning Academy Partnership (LAP), which comprises 18 primary schools across Devon, received the Highly Commended award in the SEND and Inclusive Practice category of the Pearson National Teaching Awards. The accolade recognises the trust’s approach to improving support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across its largely rural schools.
The trust introduced the model to address the challenges faced by smaller primary schools, where special educational needs co-ordinators (SENDCos) may encounter a narrower range of SEND needs and experiences. Three school SENDCos now provide dedicated support across the trust each week, working alongside experienced SEND practitioners and school leaders completing specialist SEND qualifications.
According to the trust, the collaborative approach enables specialist knowledge to be shared between schools, helping to reduce professional isolation while ensuring pupils receive consistent, high-quality support regardless of which school they attend. The trust has also developed SEND audits, specialist toolkits, shared guidance, professional development programmes and regular SEND forums to support staff across its schools.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards, founded by Lord Puttnam in 1998, recognise individuals and teams making a lasting contribution to the education of children and young people across the UK.
Tracey Cleverley, trust lead at the Learning Academy Partnership, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our SEND Team has been recognised nationally through the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
“This recognition reflects the expertise and unwavering commitment of colleagues across our trust who work every day to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.
“What makes this approach so powerful is that it is built on collaboration. Rather than expertise sitting within individual schools, it is shared across our entire family of schools, ensuring every child benefits from high-quality, inclusive practice.
“We are incredibly proud of the difference this work is making, not only in attendance and outcomes, but in helping children feel understood, valued and able to flourish.”
The Learning Academy Partnership includes 18 schools across Devon, including Ilsham Church of England Academy, Ellacombe Church of England Academy, All Saints Marsh CofE Academy, Warberry CofE Academy, Marhamchurch CofE Academy, West Alvington Church of England Academy, Charleton Church of England Academy, Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Academy, Dunsford Community Academy, St Michael’s Church of England Academy, Dartington Church of England Academy, Lifton Community Academy, Jacobstow Community Academy, St Mark’s CofE Academy, Gulworthy Primary Academy, Lamerton CofE Primary Academy, Bovey Tracey Academy and St Andrew’s Church of England Academy.
