Burtenshaw is a charity that provides a unique range of services for children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities. Our vision is to ‘Brighten Lives and Build Futures’ for these young people in Bolton, across the North West and beyond.
Burtenshaw School, Merseyside offers education for children aged 3-19 with a moderate to severe learning disability and/or complex health needs in conjunction with:
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Communication difficulties
- Multi-sensory impairment
- Significant medical conditions
- Physical disability
- Behaviors that some may find challenging
The school building has been specifically designed to be autism-friendly, with wide corridors and low arousal décor to reduce distraction and create an environment conducive to learning. We also offer a range of therapeutic interventions which support children’s academic and social development. Birtenshaw’s established services based in Bolton have full Autism Accreditation from the National Autistic Society and the new School will adopt these standards and work towards accreditation.
The school’s approach is based on the principle of Total Communication, where every behavior is viewed as communication and we see it as our responsibility to understand what the young person wants or needs. We ensure that our routines and structures support pupils to feel safe and happy. With a dedicated staff team and our unique approach, we provide a supportive and safe environment where all young people make progress regardless of their starting point.
Our vision is to ‘brighten lives and build futures’ by ensuring that all pupils receive the same learning and social opportunities as other children. We achieve this by providing outstanding purpose-built facilities and a creative curriculum tailored to meet pupils’ individual needs.
To empower people to live a fulfilling life using person-centered approaches built on respect, innovation, and sustainability. To respond to the changing needs of disabled people through dedication to continuous improvement, supporting more people, and becoming judged in all areas as outstanding.
Through Birtenshaw College, established in 2014, we provide special further education, independent living skills, and functional training for students between the ages of 16 to 25. We support these young people to prepare for adulthood through further developing their educational, social, and life skills.
Our Care Services, focused specifically on the needs of Children and Young Adults, encourage, support, and motivate them in safe, homely, and structured environments, assisting each individual as they transition into adulthood and more independent life. The focus is on their ability, not their disability, and we strive to ensure each individual continues to be able to do more, whatever their impairment or condition.
For children, care services are provided through several locally based children’s homes, our short break center, and shared care facilities. Our young adult services also encourage greater independence and life skills through supported tenancies and domiciliary care.
It was the first time in our history that we had a purpose-built school. This was closely followed in 2014 by the establishment of Birtenshaw College which focuses on developing life skills allowing young adults to move to an independent life with relevant functional, vocational, and practical skills.
We are proud of our history, our facilities, and our achievements. Burtenshaw has come a long way since its early beginnings in 1956 from the first non-maintained special school in the UK, to one of the country’s foremost providers of specialist education and care services for children and young adults with special education needs and disability (SEND).
Over the past few years, we have also become the largest charity in the Bolton area and created a significant number of new jobs. Not only has this helped the local community and economy but it means we have been able to support more children and young adults than ever before.
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