A student who previously attended Highfield Littleport Academy has gone on to secure outstanding GCSE results at Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy. This makes him the first student from the area special school to transition back into mainstream education.

The academy, which is part of The Active Learning Trust (ALT), is an area special school co-located with Littleport & East Cambs Academy (LECA), providing education for pupils aged two to 19 with significant and complex learning difficulties. 

The curriculum is different to comprehensive schools and tailored to the needs of students who all have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), many of whom will have physical, behavioural, sensory, communication or medical needs.

Charlie Robinson-Brown a student at Highfield Littleport from September 2018 to September 2021 having shown an exemplary aptitude in his learning, was given the opportunity to transfer to Littleport & East Cambs Academy to study at GCSE level. This is extremely rare for a student with additional needs to transfer from a specialist setting back into mainstream education. Charlie only began his full-time GCSE level study 2 years ago and his results are excellent considering this short length of time. He also gained a grade 6 in Music and grade 8 in History which is amazing.

Charlie is now starting at the College of West Anglia in September to study a Media Course at Level 3.

Yvonne Skillern, Head of School for Highfield Littleport Academy, said: “We are so proud of everything that Charlie has achieved.”

“Charlie began studying Maths at LECA as part of his tailored timetable nearly four years ago. Despite his additional learning needs, he has been able to truly achieve his full potential despite a pandemic and his own personal challenges along the way.”

“All of the staff are delighted with his success and wish him well in college. Charlie has truly excelled with the support he has been given and learned to manage his needs and anxieties well in a mainstream environment. We are delighted that our original high aspirations for him have come to fruition. We hope to be able to continue to help students reach their goals and prepare them for their next step whatever that may be.”

Lynsey Holzer, CEO of Active Learning Trust said: “We are thrilled for Charlie and everyone across our schools who have supported his journey so far. This achievement shows what’s possible when we work together. Congratulations Charlie!”