Advertisement

'Pupils flourish' at 'welcoming' school says education watchdog

Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'GOOD' in the playground <i>(Image: Birtenshaw)</i>
Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'GOOD' in the playground (Image: Birtenshaw)

A school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in in Bromley Cross has received a glowing report following an Ofsted inspection.

Birtenshaw, on Darwen Road, has been rated ‘good’ by the education watchdog following an inspection in November last year – a continuation of its previous two ratings.

“Pupils flourish at Birtenshaw School,” reported the Ofsted team led by Inspector Julie Bather.

“They are happy and settled. Leaders and staff have created a friendly and welcoming environment where every pupil is nurtured, valued, and supported to be as independent as possible.

READ MORE: Birtenshaw School, Bromley Cross, secures finance needed for expansion

“Pupils gain confidence, make friends and enjoy their education.

“The warm and trusting relationships that staff foster with pupils ensure that they feel safe.”

The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'WE' during a messy play sensory session
The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'WE' during a messy play sensory session

Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'WE' during a messy play sensory session (Image: Birtenshaw)

The report highlights the high expectations the staff have for the children who attend the school, and parents and carers told inspectors how their children had “achieved far more than they could ever have hoped for”.

Inspector Bather added: “Pupils learn how to manage their emotions and behaviour. Staff manage incidents of challenging behaviour very well to ensure that learning time is not lost.

“Staff also show pupils how to be kind to each other and how to communicate any worries that they might have to a safe adult.”

READ MORE: Ofsted find SEND school to be 'outstanding' again

The wide range of activities that “promote personal development and enhance the curriculum” was also noted.

These include equine therapy, gym activities, yoga, and swimming to support their physical and mental health.

The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people and staff are spelling 'ARE' in a swimming session with floats
The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people and staff are spelling 'ARE' in a swimming session with floats

Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people and staff are spelling 'ARE' in a swimming session with floats (Image: Birtenshaw)

There are also visits to local supermarkets which help pupils to shop independently, learn how to manage money, and practise their communication skills.

Head at the school Kaylie Crompton says that Inspector Bather's comments "truly indicates our commitment and dedication to transforming lives for children and young adults with SEND".

READ MORE: Ofsted praises Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School

She added: "The inspection was a really insightful and useful process.

"The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as we had just received the keys for the new, purpose built, state of the art campus building on the same site, so it gave us an opportunity so show off the amazing facilities there."

Kaylie says that the education the school provides for its pupils is about "truly understanding each unique child" to ensure that they are in a "relaxed, calm, and happy state of learning and therefore able to achieve their long-term aspirations".

The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'GOOD' in the playground
The Bolton News: Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'GOOD' in the playground

Birtenshaw pupils spelt out 'WE ARE GOOD' in three separate images. Here the young people are spelling 'GOOD' in the playground (Image: Birtenshaw)

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the inspectors for their support, our dedicated parents and carers for taking the time to share their experiences, the staff team for their continued resilience and dedication and of course the wonderful pupils who truly make Birtenshaw an exciting and rewarding place to work," she added.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.