A NEW school providing specialist provision for young people with autism will open in Devon this year.

Run by The Special Partnership Trust, who already run several special schools in Devon, Castlebridge School will open in September, Devon County Council (DCC) has said.

Comprising two sites, the school will provide specialist provision for 120 pupils aged between seven and 16 years old with high functioning Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) who are unable to access mainstream schools.

The main site will be in Ivybridge and a smaller hub site in Tavistock.

Castlebridge School is designed for pupils who have had a challenging experience in mainstream school and may have developed school or learning avoidance.

This will have impacted on their educational progress and self-esteem and for some pupils, also resulted in behaviour that is challenging to others, says DCC.

The school will offer smaller class sizes and a tailored curriculum.

The first cohort of learners will be educated at satellite hub in Tavistock in September 2025.

The main site in Ivybridge aims to open during the 2026/27 academic year.

Councillor Lois Samuel, DCC’s Cabinet Member for Children’s SEND Improvement Services, said: ‘I am pleased that the funding agreement for a new special school in Devon has been signed.

‘It marks a significant milestone on our journey to meet the growing demand for support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Devon.

‘Castlebridge will provide children and young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition with a fantastic opportunity to access their learning and develop the confidence, skills and knowledge necessary to progress through school and into adulthood, felling empowered to be a valued part of their local community.’