Exciting Visit from DfE Director of SEND and AP to Solent Academies Trust

Last Friday morning, Sharon Burt, our CEO, and Andrew Hill, our Chair of Trustees, had the pleasure of welcoming Claire Burton, the newly appointed DfE Director of SEND & AP, to our academies. The day began with a fantastic tour of Cliffdale Primary Academy, where Claire explored the excellence in our provision for pupils across the primary age ranges with complex learning difficulties, including Autism and Severe Learning Difficulties. 

We then shared the success and impact of our Inclusion Outreach Provision, which has grown significantly over the past three years and now proudly supports almost every school across the City of Portsmouth.  

Following this, we traveled to Mary Rose Academy for another exciting tour. Claire was able to see firsthand the excellence in our specialist practice for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties, and also met members of the brilliant Bridge Team, who provide a highly bespoke, alternative offer for a small number of pupils and their families. 

The visit was very successful and Claire was very impressed with her observations and learning from our practice across both academies.