The special schools network is a network which supports all affiliated special schools and is facilitated by Pauline Holbrook (National Inclusion Coordinator). All affiliated special schools are automatically invited to attend these meetings.

Representatives of the schools meet once a term in each others’ schools. Due to geographical spread this often entails overnight stay, providing further opportunities for networking.

The purpose of the scheme is to:

• Support and advise all special schools affiliated to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as aspiring specialist status
• Support and advise mainstream schools for whom special educational needs is a significant dimension within their development plan
• To provide advice and feedback to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, DfES and related specialist schools on special educational needs issues
• Research good inclusive practice in special and mainstream schools, with particular focus on partnerships between mainstream, special and FE education
• Work collectively, establishing a new national network to promote effective teaching and learning for students with special educational needs
• Promote good practice in inclusion to all schools to enhance the teaching and learning of students

Applying

1. Special schools should download and complete the
special schools affiliation application form
 
and email it to:

affiliation@ssatrust.org.uk

or post it to: Rachel Treslove, Membership Services, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, 16th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP.

2. On receipt of application the school will automatically become affiliated. The school will then receive a visit from their Regional Coordinator, who sends a report to the Trust for our records.

Membership fees

An annual membership fee is charged on the basis of pupil numbers. However in recognition of the fact that special schools are usually very small a reduction from the minimum annual fee of £740 has been negotiated for non designated special schools to: £240 + £1 per student. Once a special school is designated the lowest full fee will apply from next renewal date – which is currently £740 - as this is a legitimate use of the schools recurrent grant. Please see the table of fees for special schools below, effective from 1 April 2008:

Schools will automatically receive an invoice from the Trust on receipt of application and subsequently one month before the next year’s affiliation fee is due. 
 
History of the special schools network

Special schools were first eligible to apply for specialist school status in 1998. The first three special schools were awarded status in September 1999. 
A team of trained consultants are available to support special schools in their goal to become specialist schools.

There are over 220 special schools affiliated to the Trust, all gaining advantage from national and international networking opportunities.

Due to the ever-increasing number of special schools within the Trust a special schools network has been established. This national network meets once a term. The conference provides opportunities to visit other special schools, 1:1 bidding support, engagement with high quality speakers, sharing of practice and discussion based around national policy and/or other topics raised by the membership.

In the same way as regions have a regional coordinator the special schools network also has an appointed coordinator. The chairs of the network group and the steering group represent special schools at the national headteachers steering group. The current chair of the network group is Ms Fiona Boulton and the chair of the steering group is Mr David Gregory.

Most regional steering groups have at least one representative from the special school sector ensuring that regional activities are reflective of the needs of all affiliated schools.

Projects

1. Working groups which are:

• Assessment & Target setting supported by HMI Eileen Toombs & Ofsted; 
• Inclusion and Outreach;
• Workforce Reform.

2. Research project with Manchester University looking at inclusion within some of the members’ schools and some in Binghampton in the State of New York. This work is due to be published by Professor Mel Ainscow later in the year.

3. Members of the group are regularly asked to speak at conferences both inside and outside the UK.