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The University �鶹��ѡ and the Sheila Coates Foundation have begun a new partnership to improve educational experiences for autistic young people in school.

The University �鶹��ѡ’s Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Sheila Coates Foundation (SCF), an independent charity committed to enhancing the education and mental health of autistic young people.

Launching today (1 May), the collaboration brings together ACER’s world-leading research expertise and SCF’s grassroots support for innovative school-based projects across England.

The Sheila Coates Foundation funds creative and forward-thinking projects in mainstream schools and colleges that go beyond existing provision to improve the mental well-being and educational outcomes of autistic students.

To date, SCF has awarded more than £1.8 million to over 455 schools and colleges across England, and their has just opened for applications.

Laura Crane, Professor of Autism Studies and Director of ACER at the University �鶹��ѡ, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that ACER is partnering with the Sheila Coates Foundation on this exciting and important new project. Schools often develop really innovative and forward-thinking solutions to meet the needs of their autistic pupils. Yet these initiatives often lack a strong evidence-base and tend to happen in silos. We are really looking forward to working with the Sheila Coates Foundation to address these gaps, drawing on ACER’s long-standing expertise in research and engagement activities around good practice in autism education.”

Stephen McShane, CEO of SCF, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Professor Crane and the team at ACER to better understand the impact that our funding is having on schools, on staff, and – crucially – on the autistic young people we seek to serve.”

The ultimate beneficiaries of this partnership will be autistic young people in mainstream education. ACER’s research has consistently shown that these students can face significant barriers, including high rates of exclusion.

By evaluating and amplifying what works, this partnership seeks to improve experiences and outcomes across the education system. Both organisations hope this marks the first of many collaborations focused on creating schools where autistic young people can not only be included but thrive.