A BASINGSTOKE school has merged with an ‘outstanding’ Hampshire academies trust in the hope it will “benefit from being part of a much larger family of similar schools”.

Dove House Academy, which provides specialist education for 229 secondary school pupils aged 11-19, situated across two sites in Basingstoke, has merged with the Solent Academies Trust.

The academy provides a highly specialist curriculum for young people with moderate and severe learning difficulties, including autism and specific learning difficulties.

Interim principal Dave Dupont said: “Dove House is excited at being part of Solent Academies Trust. We were keen to join a multi-academy trust that holds the same values that we, as a single-academy trust have always held. Dove House and all the students will be able to benefit from being part of a much larger family of similar schools who all share an ethos, with our students at the heart of everything we do, no matter their need.”

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Dove House converted to an academy in 2012 and in 2019 was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted which said that “pupils thrive in the nurturing culture that staff have created” and “pupils’ safety, welfare and learning lie at the very heart of ‘the Dove House way’”.

Solent Academies Trust also leads Portsmouth’s Redwood Park Academy, Mary Rose Academy, The Lantern for pupils with complex autism, Craneswater for post-16 students and Littlegreen Academy in West Sussex for boys with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Andrew Hill, chair of trustees at Solent Academies Trust, said: “We are delighted that Dove House Academy will be continuing its journey with us. I would like to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to making this an excellent school and look forward to the further development of the educational curriculum there and the support which we can provide for young people. Whilst there are many existing and emerging challenges in special needs education, I am confident that Dove House will be ever stronger as part of a multi-academy trust committed to excellence in this area.”

Peter Quaite, Dove House Academy governor, said: The Dove House Academy governors are extremely excited by the opportunities and benefits of being a member of the Solent Academy Trust family. We are confident that the trust’s experience and proven track record of success in delivering education and development for the pupils, families and staff of its schools will be replicated at Dove House. This is an exciting new chapter in the school’s story, and I look forward to working closely with the trust and school leadership team as they deliver a curriculum that is relevant, motivating and personalised to meet the wide-ranging needs of our pupils.”