Lift Pioneer was formerly two separate schools – Elmbrook School and Moat House School, both based in Church Road Basildon.

Elmbrook School catered for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and pupils with complex learning difficulties aged 3 – 19 and Moat House School catered for pupils with moderate learning difficulties aged 5 – 16.

The two schools amalgamated in September 2003 to form Pioneer School, initially operating across two campuses.

In January 2009, after years of fundraising and planning, the school moved into its current purpose-built premises. This was followed in September 2011 by the opening of a new wing, funded by the Building Schools for the Future programme. These developments provided state-of-the-art facilities designed to support a broad and ambitious curriculum, with specialist spaces for therapy, life skills and vocational learning.

In June 2012, the school became part of Lift Schools, joining a national family of schools committed to delivering an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.