Welcome to Belong School Devon

Belong School Devon is an independent special school for students aged 11 to 17 from across Devon. Our approach to learning at Belong School Devon is built around our vision of enabling all our students to become thriving, successful adults in a modern world. 


Building strategies for learning and life

Our education offer for all students combines classroom-based learning with a diverse provision of structured Learning Outside The Classroom. Using this approach, we build strategies with our students to support their academic, social and emotional development.

Working with students from across Devon

We are focused on working with young people who have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and we are commissioned by the local authority 0-25 team.

Ofsted

Read Belong School Devon’s latest report here

“There is a calm and orderly school environment. Staff help pupils to develop the tools to recognise and express their emotions effectively.”

Marie Thomas, HMI
May 2023

Newsletters

Keep up to date with the latest news from Belong School Devon with our newsletters

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Facebook Posts

Belong School Skylark Adventures @ Hound Tor!

Our Skylark students spent a fantastic couple of days out on Dartmoor at Hound Tor — climbing, abseiling, weaseling through rocky gaps, and soaking up the peace and quiet of the moorland.

From learning new climbing techniques to working together as a team, everyone made brilliant progress — not just in skills, but in confidence, trust, and resilience too.

Huge well done to all involved — warm, tired, and proud! 💪✨

#belongschooldevon #skylarkadventures #houndtor #climbing #OutdoorLearning #teamwork #moorlandmagic
... See MoreSee Less

Belong School Skylark Adventures @ Hound Tor!

Our Skylark students spent a fantastic couple of days out on Dartmoor at Hound Tor — climbing, abseiling, weaseling through rocky gaps, and soaking up the peace and quiet of the moorland.

From learning new climbing techniques to working together as a team, everyone made brilliant progress — not just in skills, but in confidence, trust, and resilience too.

Huge well done to all involved — warm, tired, and proud! 💪✨

#belongschooldevon  #SkylarkAdventures #HoundTor #Climbing #OutdoorLearning #Teamwork #MoorlandMagicImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that our student, Arthur, has once again reached the finals of the prestigious BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards. This marks his second time as a finalist, an outstanding achievement that truly highlights his continuous growth and talent in game design.

Last year, Arthur was a finalist in the 10-14 Game Concept category, and this year, he's stepped up to the 15-18 age group, proving his dedication and incredible skill.

The BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards is more than just a competition; it's a vital initiative to encourage young people into the dynamic gaming industry. Hundreds enter each year across two categories (Game Concept and Game Making) and two age groups (10-14 and 15-18), with only 10 finalists selected per category/age group.

Arthur recently travelled to London for the BAFTA showcase, where all the nominees had their brilliant work displayed. It was an inspiring day, with young designers having the incredible opportunity to speak directly with members of the gaming industry. The experience extends beyond the event, with online webinars and invaluable 1-on-1 mentorship with industry experts in the year that follows!

A special highlight for Arthur was meeting the fantastic Inel Tomlinson (you might know him as a comedian and voice actor for TV and video games!).

We are so incredibly proud of Arthur's journey, his creativity, and his dedication. He is truly an inspiration to aspiring young game designers everywhere!

#baftaygd #gamedesign #futuregamers #studentsuccess #ProudSchool #belongschooldevon @BAFTA Inel Tomlinson
... See MoreSee Less

BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that our student, Arthur, has once again reached the finals of the prestigious BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards. This marks his second time as a finalist, an outstanding achievement that truly highlights his continuous growth and talent in game design.

Last year, Arthur was a finalist in the 10-14 Game Concept category, and this year, hes stepped up to the 15-18 age group, proving his dedication and incredible skill.

The BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards is more than just a competition; its a vital initiative to encourage young people into the dynamic gaming industry. Hundreds enter each year across two categories (Game Concept and Game Making) and two age groups (10-14 and 15-18), with only 10 finalists selected per category/age group.

Arthur recently travelled to London for the BAFTA showcase, where all the nominees had their brilliant work displayed. It was an inspiring day, with young designers having the incredible opportunity to speak directly with members of the gaming industry. The experience extends beyond the event, with online webinars and invaluable 1-on-1 mentorship with industry experts in the year that follows!

A special highlight for Arthur was meeting the fantastic Inel Tomlinson (you might know him as a comedian and voice actor for TV and video games!). 

We are so incredibly proud of Arthurs journey, his creativity, and his dedication. He is truly an inspiration to aspiring young game designers everywhere!

#BAFTAYGD #GameDesign #FutureGamers #StudentSuccess #ProudSchool #belongschooldevon @BAFTA Inel TomlinsonImage attachmentImage attachment

Mission Accomplished!
A massive shoutout to Belong School’s DofE Bronze Team — the Red Hot Chilli Steppers — who have successfully completed their 2-day expedition!

Through blazing sunshine, dusty trails, and more than a few close encounters with ticks, this incredible team showed grit, teamwork, and determination from start to finish.

Over the past two days, they’ve learned:
How to support each other and stay motivated in tough conditions
How to navigate and problem-solve under pressure
The importance of preparation, adaptability, and resilience
And yes… how to check for ticks and still laugh about it!

This expedition has done more than tick a box — it’s helping to shape these young people into resilient, resourceful, and responsible adults, ready to take on the challenges of the modern world.

We are so proud of their journey — both on the path and in who they’re becoming.
Well done, Red Hot Chilli Steppers — you’ve earned a long rest and a cool drink!

The team will have more photos to bring home and share next week.

#DofE #BelongSchool #BronzeAward #RedHotChilliSteppers #YouthEmpowerment #LifeSkills #FutureReady #HeatAndTicks #ModernWorldSkills
... See MoreSee Less

Mission Accomplished!
A massive shoutout to Belong School’s DofE Bronze Team — the Red Hot Chilli Steppers — who have successfully completed their 2-day expedition! 

Through blazing sunshine, dusty trails, and more than a few close encounters with ticks, this incredible team showed grit, teamwork, and determination from start to finish.

Over the past two days, they’ve learned:
How to support each other and stay motivated in tough conditions
 How to navigate and problem-solve under pressure
 The importance of preparation, adaptability, and resilience
And yes… how to check for ticks and still laugh about it! 

This expedition has done more than tick a box — it’s helping to shape these young people into resilient, resourceful, and responsible adults, ready to take on the challenges of the modern world. 

We are so proud of their journey — both on the path and in who they’re becoming.
Well done, Red Hot Chilli Steppers — you’ve earned a long rest and a cool drink! 

The team will have more photos to bring home and share next week. 

#DofE #BelongSchool #BronzeAward #RedHotChilliSteppers #YouthEmpowerment #LifeSkills #FutureReady #HeatAndTicks #ModernWorldSkillsImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
Load more

Relational Practice

Belong School Devon’s approach to learning places the development of life-long skills at the centre of a student’s education provision to enable all to become successful both at the school and in the wider world.
Our methodology combines Restorative and Trauma Informed approaches with strong relationships to support our students to manage themselves and to learn, grow and thrive

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

relational, individualised approach to learning provides each student with a programme which will respond and flex to their specific levels of learning and identify strategies to ensure progress. 

Upon entering the school, each student engages in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting, placing the student at the centre of their plan to identify strengths and interests to support areas for development.

Home involvement is crucial in ensuring a collaborative approach to our provision. The Individual Education Plans that emerge from this process are informed and underpinned by the outcomes in the student’s EHCP.

English as an additional language

We are committed to highly flexible ways of working which support students for whom English is an Additional Language. In line with our wrap-around approach to personalised teaching and learning, we will develop, monitor and review our approaches to supporting EAL students within the classroom and as part of the school and wider community. Where appropriate, this may include (but is not limited to) provision of additional language sessions to support the development of everyday fluency, the use of specific resources in a student’s native language and specialist training for key staff.

Behaviour and Relational Practice

We value relationships. Staff model the value of relationships through all their interactions. Where a relationship has been damaged, we seek to repair and restore this relationship, following a trauma informed approach.

At Belong School Devon, we understand all behaviours as a means of communication, often stemming from an unmet need. It is our aim to support students to learn to meet their needs in prosocial ways, being positive members of their community. Our focus is less upon managing behaviour but seeks instead to help students to learn to manage their own behaviour whilst building resilience, in turn leading to the acquisition of the skills required to learn, grow and thrive as an adult.


Gilbert House

Headteacher: Roz Harman 

Gilbert House, Grace Road, Marsh Barton,

Exeter EX2 8PU

Contact

infodevon@belonglearning.co.uk

Phone

0300 303 5755