Over June 2011 - February 2012, twenty-four special schools accepted an invitation from the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) to work collaboratively on a joint curriculum project of their choosing with a neighbouring mainstream school or setting and to explore the process, benefits and shotcomings of this activity. The projects were monitored by ETI and a composite report written to inform the schools of the impact and value of the activity.

The Chief Inspector’s Report 2008/2010 identified the need to develop links between special and mainstream schools as an area for improvement and development. The Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (Review) also recognised the need to facilitate ‘a continuum of provision for a diversity of need’ across special and mainstream school sectors. This report was initiated by ETI, building on collaborative inspection work already undertaken with the special school sector.