Welcome to Firwood School. We are particularly proud of the positive ethos in our school and feel that it sets the right atmosphere for teaching and learning. We are also proud to be one of the first special schools in the country to be awarded Specialist SEN Status (in Learning and Cognition) and one of the first in Bolton to achieve Healthy Schools Status. In our recent (2007) Ofsted Inspection we were delighted to be classed as an 'Outstanding' school in every aspect possible.

As a secondary school for young people with severe learning difficulties we have specialist staff, specialist approaches and facilities. Classes are small, with at least two members of staff and we work with a wide range of other professionals to help your son or daughter. But most importantly, we will be looking to identify and address the individual needs of your son or daughter with you.

We cater for a wide range of abilities at Firwood and feel this mix is of positive benefit to all the students here. More able students are provided with challenging work, students with profound difficulties follow appropriate sensory work, and all student work towards external accreditations. We constantly encourage the development of respect for others and social responsibility.

Links with the wider community are particularly important to us, especially those with mainstream schools. Many of our students have links with Withins, spending time supported by our staff in appropriate lessons there. We also have a class base at Withins, with some students spending their week working more closely with their peers in mainstream. This has been a very positive development, promoting greater understanding, acceptance and respect as well as helping others appreciate the contribution that our students make. Of course, parents are always consulted about developing any such links.

The best way of judging any school is by visiting. If you would like to know more, or would like to visit us, please telephone and we will arrange a visit.

I look forward to meeting you and your son or daughter.

Dr Jonathan Steele