Birtenshaw School Merseyside, Merseyside

What it's like to be a pupil at Birtenshaw School Merseyside

Pupils thrive at this specialist school because staff understand their needs very well. They create highly personalised experiences that help pupils achieve, belong and flourish. Many pupils join the school having experienced disruption to their education. These are often due to barriers related to their complex special educational needs and/or disabilities. They quickly develop trusting relationships with staff who know them well and support them with sensitivity and expertise. Pupils enjoy learning. Across the school, staff adapt activities carefully so that pupils can participate successfully, regardless of their starting points. For some pupils, this means learning how to communicate their choices using signs, symbols or technology. For others, it means building academic knowledge and achieving accredited qualifications. Pupils develop confidence, independence and important life skills through a curriculum that is tailored closely to their individual needs and aspirations. Pupils feel that they belong. They are fully included in school life and benefit from a range of opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Regular visits to the community help pupils apply what they have learned in meaningful contexts. Educational visits, residential experiences, work experience placements and themed enrichment events broaden pupils' experiences and help prepare them for adulthood. Many pupils access opportunities that families describe as previously unimaginable. Pupils behave well. Staff are highly skilled at helping pupils regulate their emotions and manage any anxieties. Positive relationships underpin daily life at the school. Pupils learn to interact with others, develop friendships and celebrate each other's achievements. When concerns arise, staff respond promptly and effectively. Pupils are safe and feel safe. Pastoral support and therapeutic input help pupils to develop resilience and confidence. Attendance is positive for many pupils, including those who had previously struggled to attend school. As they move through the school, pupils become increasingly well prepared for their next steps, whether that involves further education, employment, greater independence or participation in their local community.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that teachers deliver the curriculum to the depth it is intended so that pupils can develop a deeper understanding across the whole curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure that agreed approaches to transcription, including handwriting and letter formation, are implemented consistently so that pupils develop increasing fluency and accuracy in writing.

Birtenshaw School excels at helping pupils with complex needs feel included and supported. The school uses creative, personalised approaches to encourage attendance and engagement, and provides rich enrichment opportunities including work experience, residential trips, and community activities. Staff build strong, respectful relationships with pupils and effectively help them develop confidence, independence and resilience.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.

Birtenshaw's got talent, educational visits, community activities, residential opportunities, sports, cultural celebrations, themed learning events, super learning days, work experience week, life-skills classroom activities, school council

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