Bridge House Centre of Excellence

June 17, 2026

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Bridge House School is a mixed therapeutic specialist school. The school is led and managed by the experienced Executive Team of Blazing Stars Education. The school has a strong culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Leaders emphasise not considering inclusion as a one-off achievement, but as an ongoing process. This is noticeable as reflection and development of inclusive practices are interwoven throughout all aspects of the school.

Inclusion at Bridge House

An inclusive atmosphere is evident throughout Bridge House. The school is committed to fostering an atmosphere where children feel valued, respected and supported, regardless of their background or individual need. The school promotes values of bravery, diversity, resilience, generosity and empathy and these are integrated into the everyday lives and activities of pupils, as well as being consistently included and embodied by the curriculum.

Staff work hard to identify and remove barriers to learning as quickly as possible for every child who arrives, adapting their provisions and support so that every learner can thrive. The school considers the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of every pupil. Staff are highly effective role models and work to actively champion and model the inclusive values of the school. They demonstrate empathy, resilience and respect.

Success is measured in many ways, through personal growth, emotional development, and social progress as well as academic progress. Staff members are committed to recognising and supporting every pupil and making sure they feel secure and valued. Class Dojo is used to reward pupils via positive points, postcards and phone calls home. This means that every learner feels like a valued member of the school.

Transition to Bridge House is comprehensive and carefully structured, beginning immediately at the point of LA consultation. A pre-admission meeting enables leaders to look at how an individual’s needs can be best met, followed by home visits and visits to the feeder school, where appropriate, to learn more about a young person from those who already know them.

Work is appropriately scaffolded to meet individual needs, ensuring accessibility while maintaining appropriate challenge. The use of structured task lists supports pupils in organising their work effectively and developing independence, and the curriculum places equal emphasis on academic achievement and the development of character and life skills.

At Bridge House parents, carers, and guardians are valued and are genuine partners in their child’s education with the school promoting open, respectful communication and actively seeking parental input in decision-making processes. School staff are committed to responding swiftly to parent queries and maintain regular communication with parents, often speaking daily.

Outward facing school

At Bridge House leaders work diligently to develop community links. They believe the school does not start and end with the school day and they consistently offer extended learning opportunities beyond the classroom, including day visits and residential trips. These experiences enable pupils to explore new environments, develop independence, and apply their learning in real-world contexts while building resilience, confidence, and lasting memories.

The school actively hosts and develops events that welcome both local and global communities. The school has welcomed visitors during Black History Month. These occasions celebrate diversity, promote cultural awareness, and foster inclusion and unity. These strategies make learning more relevant to all learners and deepen pupil understanding of life beyond the classroom.

Bridge House has a culture of communication, safety, valuing everyone equally and continuing development which makes it a truly inclusive school. We are proud to award Centre of Excellence status.