Welcome to Cann Bridge School, where we have a rich history of providing exceptional support and education to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Originally established as Downham School (Plymstock) in 1963, the school was renamed Cann Bridge School in September 2012, when it relocated and was rebuilt on the Tor Bridge Partnership Site in Estover.

It is an honour to serve as the fourth Headteacher of Cann Bridge School. Since joining in January 2023, I’ve had the privilege of leading a dedicated and progressive team of professionals. Together, we are committed to our school’s strong vision and values, always advocating for the best interests of our learners. We strive for excellence, fostering positive opportunities and outcomes for each individual within our community.

My personal mantra for our school is ‘Together, We Cann.’ This reflects our ongoing pursuit of new opportunities to enhance the educational experience for all learners. We are driven by the aspiration to unlock each learner’s full potential, ensuring they are well-prepared for life beyond school. Through our Pathways to Independence Curriculum, Personalised Learning Goals and threading career education and Preparation for Adulthood throughout, we empower our learners to thrive in the real world.

At Cann Bridge, we believe in the power of collaboration. We actively engage parents, carers, and stakeholders in our ongoing development, supported by the dedicated efforts of the Friends of Cann Bridge. This group of parents and community members play a vital role to support the school and enhance our fantastic specialist facilities through fundraising initiatives. Additionally, we provide essential support to our community through roles such as our Family & Learner Support Advisor and Positive Behaviour Support Lead. Our commitment to excellence extends to our staff, whom we support with comprehensive training and development.

We are a trauma informed school understanding the impact of trauma on others’ behaviour and learning, we adapt our practices to create a supportive environment. Central to our ethos are our behaviour values to guide our learners to: be your best, be kind, be friendly, and be helpful. We collaborate with a network of internal and external professionals to enrich our school community and provide individualised interventions to meet the diverse needs of our learners.

We take great pride in our school and hope that our website offers you valuable insights into our daily life and school ethos. For the latest updates and glimpses into our vibrant learning community, we encourage you to explore our social media platforms and school newsletters.

Please feel free to contact us via our CONTACT PAGE for further information, to discuss collaboration opportunities, or to arrange a visit to our school.

Shane Baker
Headteacher