The Ministry of Education has issued a call for people interested in helping to set a new course for the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy.

A spokeswoman said the ministry sought applications from those who want to join a transformation team for the school.

She explained: “The ministry is seeking a talented, diverse and dedicated team to help design a signature school that serves students with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities or complex developmental delays who require multilayered support.

“In this context, a signature school is a specialised learning environment that models best practices in special education and provides customised curricula to meet each student’s unique needs.”

The team will be tasked with designing a new school model for the facility that follows international standards.

Its work will include defining the full scope of a signature school for students with exceptionalites, working with the student services division to make sure that new ideas connect with system improvements as well as testing and refining ideas with families, educators and the community.

Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, said: “Prioritising inclusion means expanding and improving educational placements in the Bermuda public school system.

“We aim to meet and adapt to each learner’s nuanced needs.

“Placements may be in the regular classroom, a special programme within a mainstream school or a specialised setting at a special school site.

“We will create a new school for learners with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities or complex developmental delays who require multilayered interdisciplinary support.

“Our goal is an inclusive and equitable education system for our children.

“To realise this vision, we need parents, educators, service providers and community members to collaborate as part of the school transformation team.”

Ms Caesar said the process will create opportunities to listen and learn to create a reimagined school that will serve all students, including those with differing needs and abilities.

She added: “We are looking for a team with a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives.

“If you have worked with young people of different abilities, disabilities or needs, whether in specialist settings or not, we encourage you to apply.

“We welcome classroom teachers, special education teachers, therapists, medical professionals, social workers, lawyers and others from diverse backgrounds.”

• Anyone interested in applying was urged to visit forms.gov.bm and fill out the expression of interest form, which covers areas including background, motivation and approach to collaboration and change. The application period will close on December 31