Announcement

Venturers Trust’s ambition to build a global centre of excellence in special needs education has taken a step forward.

The expertise developed over the last five years at Venturers’ Academy, the Trust’s school for children with a primary diagnosis of autism, was recently highlighted at a seminar in Vietnam.

Trystan Williams, founding principal of Venturers’ Academy and executive lead at the Venturers Trust, spoke to experts and parents from Vietnam about ensuring a socially inclusive approach for children with special educational needs.

The online seminar was also attended by representatives of the British Embassy in Hanoi.

Mr Williams said: “It is always good to share experiences with other people and educators around the world. I was delighted and proud to showcase the exceptional work of colleagues and young people at Venturers’ Academy.”

Mr Williams has also been invited to speak at Bristol’s second TeacherFest celebration of teaching and learning this summer. He will discuss meeting the needs of the most vulnerable pupils and will share positive stories that illustrate the success of the school’s motto: “Where Everything’s Possible.”

Venturers Trust is committed to providing professional development and training relating specifically to the educational and developmental needs of society’s most vulnerable, complex and disadvantaged students.

Its new Bradbury Centre based within the new site of Venturers’ Academy and Merchants’ Academy Primary will enable the Trust to take forward this work in response to the challenges of providing inclusive and quality education for 21st century learners. Helping to further these aims is the recent decision by the Department for Education to grant the Trust, via Colston’s Girls’ School – soon to be Montpelier High School – the role in leading Teaching School Hubs for both Somerset and Bristol & North Somerset, alongside Cabot Learning Federation and Mangotsfield Primary School. 

David Watson, CEO of Venturers Trust, said: “Building successful partnerships to develop and share best practice is a crucial part of delivering school improvement. The Teaching School Hubs will allow schools to work together more effectively than ever before and this collaborative approach will benefit all students.”