Birch Wood is the first Area Special School to be opened in Leicestershire. It is a purpose built school which is located in very close proximity to a primary (Sherard Primary School), and the newly built MV16 sixth form centre on the old Sarson school site ( http://www.mv16.org.uk/ ). Birch Wood provides 'one stop' services for the educational providers in the area. Through our outreach team we support pupils in mainstream provision with special needs. Our Network co-ordinator links mainstream providers with special services and training. Birch Wood leads on inclusion in the area and has achieved the Inclusion Quality Mark. We are also a Healthy School.

Birch Wood caters for students who may be described as having moderate or severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. We also have pupils with autism, visual and hearing impairments and physical disabilities. Pupils range from 5 to 19. With 68% of the school population on the autism spectrum, we consider this a speciality of the school.

Classes are organised according to the age of the pupils and there are both generic classes in the school as well as autism specific classes.

At present there are 114 students on roll although the school was initially built for 90. There is a high demand for places.The school is staffed by qualified teachers, teaching assistants, midday supervisors, a school nurse, administration and premises staff. We also work with many multi-agency staff and employ specialists in music therapy and communication. All students who attend the school have a Statement of Special Educational Need. In order to address the pupil's special educational needs we provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is based on the National Curriculum.

BW2 is a building situated on the former King Edward VII site, a five minute walk from our main building. It shares a campus with Melton Vale Post 16 Centre and the King Edward Sports Centre.

BW2 caters for students with Moderate Learning Difficulties, aged between 11 and 19 (including those with autism, visual & hearing impairments and a range of specific needs).

Opened in September 2011, we are developing exciting new curriculum opportunities based on the National Curriculum, exam syllabus and accredited coursework from Entry Level to GCSE. We will also offer the option to follow accredited vocational and life skills courses. The vision is to be able to offer qualifications that are relevent to the learners interests and that will lead to progression to further education oppotunities, employment or enhanced independent living.

We are working closely with mainstream schools and colleges to develop two-way inclusion links and working partnerships.

We currently have 34 students on roll in four classes and with a high level of interest in BW2 this is likely to increase. The building has capacity for a roll of approximately 70. The building consists of an airy and spacious Atrium with three classrooms and a dance / drama studio on the Ground Floor. The First Floor contains three more classrooms, a Science room and an IT room.

We welcome visitors, parents and prospective students, and invite you to look around. Please contact P. Ormerod, Headteacher or Assistant Head James Davidson-Adams to make an appointment.

In September 2010 we were awarded Specialist Schools Status in Communication and Interaction and also welcomed our new appointed head Phil Ormerod.

At our most recent Ofsted inspection Sept 2011 we were judged as outstanding.

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Come on a guided tour around our school. Click here

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