Birkett House School is a co-educational special school for 252 pupils aged 4-19. Pupils have a range of learning needs, from profound and multiple learning difficulties to moderate needs.

The school takes pride in positioning itself at the heart of several communities, working to give students a very bespoke pathway through their educational journey. The school has students based on 5 sites, which enables us to provide a very specialised and personal education and a range of opportunities.

The main part of the school is based at Wigston, where the majority of primary pupils work, in addition to a small cohort of older students whose primary barrier to their learning is a sensory need. The school has a number of specialist environments that allow those students with more complex needs more freedom of access. We really pride ourselves on working with our most complex pupils in close partnership with parents and a range of professionals.

For some of our most able pupils, we have established links with two local primary schools, Little Hill and Thistly Meadow. In these schools, pupils both learn and socialise alongside mainstream peers, benefiting from this inclusive approach.

The Centre is based at Thomas Estley Community College and provides a fantastic base for inclusion and extended opportunities for 2 groups of pupils at Key Stage 3. Our Senior Department is a stand-alone building on the grounds of Countesthorpe Academy. Students here work on a varied curriculum designed to prepare them for life beyond school and transition to post-school provision.

We really value contact with parents and carers who we acknowledge will always know their son or daughter better than anyone else. Working in partnership with parents is the key to success for all aspects of pupil learning and development.

Chris White

Head Teacher

Vision

Challenge . Achieve . Celebrate

Birkett House is a school at the heart of its community. We aspire for all our pupils to work in an environment that encourages lifelong learning, equipping pupils with the tools and skills to achieve. We will work to encourage pupils to develop confidence, self-belief and be aware of the choices open to them. We will encourage tolerance and inclusion, where all pupils are able to build effective relationships based on strength of community, friendship and respect. In short, we expect the students of Birkett House to be both aspirational and inspirational.

Aims

Through positive experiences, we will develop as fully as possible our abilities and interests and be proud of ourselves and our achievements.

We will work in partnership preparing for life in and beyond school where we are able to contribute to our own futures and take our place in society.

We will develop the skills we will need for a successful future.

We will respect ourselves and others in an environment where we are confident, secure and happy.

We will develop the skills we need to meet real life challenges.

• Comprehensive professional development programme
• Competitive pension scheme
• Staff wellbeing service
• Financial wellbeing service
• Free parking

At our main Wigston site, students benefit from many special facilities. So in addition to the usual features you'd expect from a modern and progressive school – such as up-to-date IT equipment, playgrounds and a library – Birkett House also has a number of specific resources on site;

• Individual teaching room for occassional quiet one-to-one attention
• Specialist teaching room for students with autism
• 8m x 5m therapeutic swimming pool
• Therapy room where nurses, physiotherapist and occupational therapists can deliver quality care
• Multi-purpose hall for sports and activities
• Sensory room
• Soft play room
• Sensory garden
• Buses with tail lifts

At each of our partner schools, students have access to designated base rooms, toilet and changing rooms. They also benefit from use of each school's wider facilities too.