The Ashcott-based special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) for a new specialist school that fully opened today (January 18), says she is excited to be able to shape a curriculum for children who might otherwise struggle in the traditional education system.

The team at Abbot's Way School, including SENCO Kate Rogers of Ashcott, say they are delighted that all their children can start being taught in the new school in Meare from today, now that the DfE has given the organisation the green light, following checks that all schools have to undertake before they open.

The school will initially take students between the ages of seven and 14 years old, rising up to 16 from 2022, and it will focus on supporting pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

Kate told Street Nub News: "I'm really excited to be working in a school that has such a great ethos.

"The last 14 years as a teacher have taught me that children learn best through hands on experience and Abbot's Way is all about learning by doing.

"Sitting still to learn doesn't suit everyone and some children find it really challenging, sometimes withdrawing or alternatively presenting with challenging behaviour to try to mask their difficulties. This doesn't mean that the child cannot learn, just that they cannot learn in that environment.

"Our aim will be to get children active with multi-sensory activities and as little time in the traditional formal classroom setting as possible, adapting tasks to the way that the child learns best, not making the child adhere to a prescribed way of learning.

"It's exciting to be able to help shape a curriculum to cater for children that can otherwise struggle in the education system."

Joint head teachers Hellen Lush and Gareth Wright have also spoken about their plans, and the journey they had to take to get to be ready for opening.

Hellen said: "Our entire team are advocates for our fresh, forward thinking vision.

"We are excited to be launching an aspirational, vibrant curriculum which will both encourage and challenge our young people, enabling them to explore, discover and thrive.

"Our curriculum is holistic and all-embedded, with strands such as therapy, outdoor learning and social skills running through all that we do."

Gareth said that initially there will be 15 pupils being taught at the former Shapwick School boarding house in St Mary's Road in Meare, but they are hoping to have 40 by the summer term.

Abbot's Way almost received approval in July, and had passed all the checks by the DfE, but the planning permission for the change of use from boarding house to school had not been approved so they had to completely start again from scratch with a new application and inspection.

However, the final green light was given on December 30 and Gareth said they were ready to operate fully, having been allowed to run with five pupils in the meantime, giving them opportunity to get all their processes in place.

He said: "As a proud dyslexic myself, it has been hugely gratifying building a brand new out of the box specialist provision which can meet the needs of students with specific learning differences.

"We all share an intrinsic passion in supporting the education and development of young people that require a three-dimensional, multi-sensory approach to learning.

"Our welcome into the village has been gratefully appreciated as has the support from our neighbours."

Bordering national nature reserves in Meare, Hellen and Gareth say Abbot's Way School's location lends itself perfectly to its "inspirational learning by doing" ethos. For further details you can visit www.abbotswayschool.co.uk.