The Children’s Trust School shortlisted for the TES Schools Awards
Published on: 22/05/26
The nomination for Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year comes as part of the annual national celebration recognising excellence across education.
The awards are open to all state and independent schools across the UK and highlight outstanding achievements and innovative practice within the sector.
This year, the school has been shortlisted for its pioneering work on SEE LIKE ME, a project that places inclusivity and individualism at its heart. The initiative focuses on vision as a means of maintaining communication, connection and wellbeing for learners with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Staff are trained to recognise subtle cues, reduce sensory barriers and adapt environments to support emotional safety and engagement. This has had a transformative impact, particularly for pupils who communicate non‑verbally.
SEE LIKE ME has gained national attention for its originality and reach. The school has collaborated with the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera House on accessible arts practice, presented at the Stewarts Law conference, produced a documentary now used in professional training, and contributed to the PMLD LINK Journal. These efforts have helped shift sector-wide thinking about the often hidden visual barriers faced by children with complex needs. The project is also supported by a strong curriculum framework, with vision taught and assessed through the ImPACTs curriculum and enhanced Functional Vision Assessments.
Evidence shows increased engagement, improved tracking and greater responsiveness from pupils, alongside measurable growth in staff expertise.
