> Life after Mill Water

Pupils leave Mill Water at different stages in their educational journey, and we take great care to ensure that every transition is carefully planned, personalised, and supportive for both pupils and their families.

Year 7
Some pupils leave at the end of Year 6 and transition to Southbrook School. This provides an opportunity for them to continue their development alongside a cohort of pupils with similar needs, in an environment that can offer a range of experiences as they grow older relative to their needs.

Year 11
For those who leave at the end of Year 11, the next step is typically a Further Education (FE) placement. For the majority of our pupils, this is at Exeter College’s Centre for Progression (formerly Petroc) in Tiverton. We work very closely with the college to ensure a smooth and positive transition. During the Summer Term, pupils benefit from several supported visits, transition sessions, and opportunities to become familiar with new staff and surroundings. This helps build confidence and reduces anxiety about the move. While Exeter College Centre for Pupil Progression meets the needs of most of our learners, we also maintain links with other providers such as Bicton College, InFocus, and Oakwood Court, Learn to Live, ensuring that we can match each pupil with the most appropriate setting.

Our Post-16 pathways focus not only on continued education, but also on developing independence, life skills, communication, and preparation for adulthood. Many courses include opportunities for work-related learning, community access, and functional skills in English and Maths, helping pupils to build confidence in real-life situations.

Year 11 & 14
Pupils who leave at the end of Year 14, and some who leave at the end of Year 11, move into social care provision when the educational element of their EHCP comes to an end. At this stage, the focus shifts to a “life of purposeful leisure,” where individual needs, interests, and aspirations remain central. These pathways are highly personalised and may include bespoke enabling packages or access to community-based services and social hubs such as CEDA.

We work closely with families, social care teams, and external agencies to ensure that this transition is well-planned and that pupils continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives beyond school. Options can include supported employment, volunteering, day services, life skills programmes, and community engagement activities, all tailored to promote independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion.

At every stage, our priority is to ensure that each pupil moves on to a destination where they feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.