Welcome to The Burrow

The Burrow is St Oswald's Specialist Resourced Provision for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils whose primary need is Communication and Interaction.

Opening in September, The Burrow has been created to provide a specialist learning environment where children can feel secure, understood and ready to learn. We recognise that some pupils require a different approach to successfully access education, develop relationships and build confidence within a school community.

At St Oswald's, we believe that every child has strengths, talents and potential. Through personalised support, specialist teaching and strong partnerships with families, we aim to help every pupil flourish and achieve meaningful success.

Why "The Burrow"?

A burrow is a safe place, a place of security, comfort and protection. It provides a foundation from which young can grow in confidence before exploring the wider world around them.

At St Oswald's, The Burrow reflects our commitment to creating a nurturing environment where children feel understood, valued and supported. It is a place where pupils can develop communication, confidence and independence, while building the skills they need to engage successfully with school life and prepare for the future.

The Burrow is more than a learning space; it is a place where children can belong, grow and thrive.

Our Vision

At The Burrow, we strive to create a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to be themselves, communicate with confidence and develop the skills needed for life both within and beyond school.

We aim to:

• Celebrate each child's individuality.
• Build confidence, independence and resilience.
• Develop communication and interaction skills.
• Foster positive relationships and a sense of belonging.
• Support emotional wellbeing and self-regulation.
• Remove barriers to learning.
• Enable children to participate meaningfully in school life.

 

We believe that progress looks different for every child, and we value all achievements, big and small.

A Provision Designed Around Children's Needs

Children attending The Burrow benefit from an environment that has been carefully designed to support their learning and wellbeing.

The provision offers:

• Small-group learning opportunities.
• Predictable routines and clear structures.
• Visual supports to aid understanding.
• Calm and purposeful learning spaces.
• Targeted support for communication development.
• Opportunities for sensory regulation throughout the day.
• Skilled staff who understand the unique needs of pupils with Communication and Interaction differences.

By removing unnecessary barriers and creating an environment where children feel safe, we support pupils to engage positively with learning and develop confidence in their abilities.

Learning at The Burrow

Learning within The Burrow is personalised to meet each child's individual profile of strengths and needs.

Our approach combines academic learning with the development of essential life skills, including:

Communication

Supporting children to understand, express and share their thoughts, feelings and ideas through a range of communication approaches.

Interaction

Helping pupils develop the skills needed to build friendships, work alongside others and participate in a variety of social situations.

Emotional Development

Teaching children strategies to recognise, understand and manage their emotions while developing self-confidence and resilience.

Independence

Encouraging pupils to become increasingly independent in their learning, decision-making and everyday routines.

Academic Achievement

Delivering an engaging and ambitious curriculum that enables pupils to make progress whilst accessing learning in ways that are meaningful and achievable for them.

Being Part of St Oswald's

The Burrow is an important part of the St Oswald's community.

We are committed to ensuring that pupils have opportunities to develop connections across the school and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

For some pupils this may include:

• Learning alongside peers in mainstream classes.
• Attending assemblies.
• Joining enrichment activities.
• Participating in school events and celebrations.
• Developing friendships through shared play and learning opportunities.

The level of participation will always be determined by each child's individual needs, strengths and readiness, ensuring positive and successful experiences.

Working Together

We know that children achieve the best outcomes when families, school staff and professionals work together.

Building strong relationships with parents and carers is a key part of our approach. We value open communication and believe that parents and carers are experts in their child's development.

Staff within The Burrow work collaboratively with families and, where appropriate, a range of professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Specialist Teachers to ensure a coordinated approach to support.

Admissions

Places within The Burrow are allocated through the Local Authority Specialist Resourced Provision process.

Pupils attending The Burrow will typically have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with Communication and Interaction identified as their primary area of need.

Further information regarding admissions can be obtained through the Local Authority SEND Team.

Our Statement

The Burrow is a place where children are valued for who they are, supported to overcome barriers and empowered to achieve their very best.