Mulberry centre is part of Suffolk County Councils graduated offer for SEND provision. Suffolk commissions 18 places at Mendlesham for key stage 2 and up to 24 places at Stowupland for key 3 and 4.

Students are part of the mainstream school, they wear the uniform of the mainstream school. Students are taught a broad and balanced curriculum adapted to their needs. They are supported to access mainstream lessons where they have an interest, are motivated or have an aptitude. They may also receive whole class teaching by a subject specialist teacher at Stowupland High School in areas such as art, music and PE. Mulberry students are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of school life at Mendlesham and Stowupland and many engage in activities alongside their peers in the main school, enjoying breaks, lunchtimes, assemblies and sporting/cultural school events.

Admissions to the Mulberry centre are via Suffolk County Council. All students need to have a full ECHP for cognition and learning, moderate learning difficulties. 

As a cognition and Learning centre for students with moderate learning difficulties, the centre is appropriate for students struggling with the SEND needs in mainstream, but there needs are not so great that they require the full “wrap around” care and support of special school provision such as Stone lodge Academy or Priory school.  Appropriate students are usually working 2-3 years behind their peers, but they are socialising with their peers. Students with more complex needs or who find socialising with peers difficult may need more specialist provision. The EHCP and working with the councils SEND team will help to determine this.