The concept of providing specialist support within mainstream schools for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is not new, with nearly 400 schools offering SEND units. However, Phoenix’s approach stands out due to its provision of specialist training, resources, and support for mainstream staff. Since 2004, Phoenix has provided outreach support to schools, and in 2021, they began assisting a nearby primary school, John Scurr, in setting up high-needs classrooms. This initiative led to the proposal for funding mainstream schools to create specialist classrooms linked to Phoenix for ongoing support.
