Breightmet School, Bolton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Birchwood excels at welcoming pupils who have struggled in other settings and getting them back on track with education. Staff create a calm, caring environment where pupils feel supported and motivated to learn. The school is particularly strong at helping pupils succeed in key stage 4 qualifications while building their confidence and independence.
Key Strengths
- Staff are kind, patient and knowledgeable - they explain things clearly and capture pupils' interests
- The school successfully re-engages pupils who have had long periods out of education, with most pupils attending every day
- Strong focus on reading and communication - stories and books are prominent in all classrooms
- Pupils feel safe and supported with trusted adults to talk to about their worries
- Good preparation for next steps, particularly at key stage 4 with functional skills and GCSEs
Areas for Improvement
- Curriculum in several subjects is not well planned - teachers are unclear about what to teach and when
- Teachers don't always check carefully enough what pupils know, missing important gaps in learning
- Support plans for pupils with SEND are not translated into precise, measurable steps
- Some staff lack the expertise to deliver phonics and communication strategies consistently
- Enrichment activities (museums, cycling, kayaking) have not yet been put in place
- Health and safety processes need strengthening to ensure consistent standards
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff noticing when pupils experience distress and responding quickly and sensitively.
Extracurricular Activities
Birchwood's Got Talent contest, fundraising events, charity sales, visits to museums, cycling, gardening, kayaking
Birchwood School is a special school for pupils with SEND that opened in January 2025. While the school provides a welcoming environment and staff are caring and knowledgeable, there are weaknesses in how the curriculum is designed and delivered in several subjects, meaning some pupils do not achieve as well as they should.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
23%
Available places
18 pupils
80 capacity
62 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Bolton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bolton
Admissions Demand - Bolton
Places available
4,380
Applications
4,014
Got 1st preference
82.6%
Got preferred school
95.0%
Secondary admissions across Bolton (2025/26)
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Breightmet School
Leverhulme Community Primary School
Forwards Centre
Red Lane Primary School
SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary School
Blackshaw Primary School
Moorgate Primary School
Harwood Meadows Primary School
St Stephen and All Martyrs' CofE School, Lever Bridge
Tonge Moor Primary Academy
Christ Church Ainsworth Church of England Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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