Redwood River School takes the place of Schumacher College

Dartington Hall Trust is proud to continue its association with high quality, specialist, progressive education by welcoming neurodivergent learning provider Redwood River School to the estate.Occupying The Old Postern, former home of Schumacher College, the new independent school will offer a deeply personalised, therapeutic, and outdoor-focused education for autistic and neurodiverse pupils aged 5 to 18. While the school is aiming for a September 2025 opening, final confirmation remains subject to Ofsted registration. To ensure a secure and fully prepared start, the team is working toward a more realistic January 2026 launch.Redwood River is being developed in response to a growing need for outstanding specialist provision for autism, ADHD, sensory processing, PDA and trauma, across Devon and the South West.

To mark this exciting beginning, the school will host a community open morning in June 2025, inviting families, professionals, and local residents to explore the site and meet the team. Partnership with the community is a cornerstone of Redwood’s ethos.Jason Goddard, CEO of Redwood River School and current CEO of Dovecote School in Somerset (graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted), brings over 25 years of leadership across education and children’s services. His work includes a decade at the Department for Education and senior roles in both the UK and Australia. Joining him is Headteacher Lukasz Miecznikowski, whose trauma-informed and child-led leadership has guided several schools to success, including The Greater horseshoe School, Liverpool Progressive School, which achieved Ofsted ‘Outstanding’. Lukasz most recently served as Executive Head at a school rated ‘Good’ with outstanding features, and TGHS with Outstanding.Redwood River is designed from the ground up for young people with EHCPs who have not found success in mainstream or traditional specialist settings. In Year 1, the school will welcome up to 20 pupils, with plans to grow to 100 by Year 4.

Jason Goddard said:  “This school is being built specifically with neurodivergent children in mind — not just adapted for them. It’s about recognising their strengths, understanding their differences, and giving them the space to flourish.  Redwood River is a place where children are seen, heard, supported — and inspired. A place where school feels safe and learning feels possible.”Redwood River promises several compelling points of difference:·     Low-arousal, autism-informed environments designed to reduce anxiety and foster trust
·      Highly individualised, interest-led curriculum
·   Access to licensed therapeutic interventions, including Thrive and Functional Family Therapy
·      Sensory spaces, regulation areas, and high staff-to-student ratios
·      Clear pathways to adulthood with a focus on independence and life skills

 

A key element of Redwood’s identity is its emphasis on the outdoors. Pupils will benefit from meaningful experiences with animals, a school farm, nature-based learning and environmental projects.
The school’s enrichment programme will include:
·       Forest School and accredited outdoor learning·       Project-based learning and enterprise
·       Work experience and Duke of Edinburgh Award
·       Creative arts and nature-integrated life skills

The Old Postern’s setting offers a perfect blend of heritage, space and peace — an ideal environment for growth and healing.

Robert Fedder, interim CEO of Dartington Hall Trust, said:  “Hosting Redwood River on the estate is a very exciting development for the Trust, which has had a long involvement in specialist education and children’s services. We hope our beautiful and unique location, alongside a supportive community of tenants and residents, will serve to enhance the school’s excellent offering to its pupils.”