A Torquay special school that serves children with moderate learning disabilities (MLD) and autism is planning a complete pivot to focus on autism across its program. This shift follows an Ofsted area inspection that found Torbay was not adequately meeting the needs of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
If the Department for Education approves, every pupil entering Combe Pafford School in September 2026 will be required to have a diagnosed Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
According to a joint statement from Combe Pafford School, Torbay Council, and the Special Partnership Trust, current pupils will remain at Combe Pafford, while new entrants with MLD will be supported in mainstream schools instead.
The groups noted that Torbay, along with many other regions, has seen a significant rise in diagnosed ASC among children and young people. They described the SEND partnership as committed to adapting to these evolving needs, proposing a gradual transition toward autism-focused support at the school.
The statement highlighted that nearly half of the current student body already has an autism diagnosis, positioning Combe Pafford to manage the transition effectively. Officials also stressed that, since Torbay has not previously had a dedicated autism-focused special school, this change could offer a better fit for autistic children who have struggled in typical large mainstream settings.
Some parents of current Combe Pafford pupils worry that students with MLD who are not already at the school may miss out on opportunities.
Georgie’s mother, Tania, shared that her daughter did not thrive in the prior mainstream primary environment, despite best efforts. She emphasized that Georgie’s MLD alone would likely have prevented her from attending Combe Pafford, a concern she believes could apply to many others.
Michelle Wheeler, whose child attends Combe Pafford in Year 7 and who also experienced MLD in her own schooling, expressed fear that children with MLD might struggle in mainstream settings. She recalled her own schooling challenges and希望 her son could access a special education environment similar to Combe Pafford, a choice she believes helped her child progress.
In response, Combe Pafford, alongside Torbay Council and the Special Partnership Trust, affirmed a commitment to building a stronger, more coordinated inclusive system. The plan envisions capital investment to support the transition and emphasizes strengthening support for MLD within mainstream schools to improve outcomes for all Torbay children.
The Department for Education will review the commissioning evidence and feedback from the consultation before issuing a decision in early next year.
