Millwood Primary Flagship School

June 30, 2026

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Millwood Primary in Radcliffe, Bury, is a school which is deeply committed to inclusion. Millwood Primary caters to pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, complex medical conditions, and autistic learners. Staff have built a positive reputation and are currently building an extension to the school. Opportunity and challenge are provided to all pupils, and every child is seen as entitled to quality learning. Teachers and staff personally go the extra mile and work to make a difference for children, their families, and the wider community, inspiring confidence and a thirst for knowledge.

Millwood Primary has approximately 134 education staff working with their 220 pupils, including occupational, speech and language, ELSA, Play and Lego therapists. The entire staff team support and value one another, innovating and discovering new possibilities for inclusion. Staff work holistically to develop a nurturing environment, and inclusion is essential and everyone’s concern. Millwood Primary Leaders at all levels understand how there are many aspects to inclusion that need to be considered, including the development of policy, adequate and disaggregated data about learners, curriculum, teacher ability and attitudes, language and communication, assistive technology, physical access including transport, and community and family involvement.

Community and Enrichment

The school benefits from impressive facilities including a light and dark room, a rebound therapy room, a theatre, a hydrotherapy pool, two soft play rooms, a teaching kitchen, an S.I. room, group rooms, and classrooms.

Outdoors they boast a sensory tunnel, games area, cycle track, wheelchair swing, football pitch, mobility trail, adventure playground, garden and orchard, bandstand, pagoda and private outdoor learning environments for each classroom. This demonstrates the school’s commitment to ensuring a wide variety of experiences and increased cultural capital for pupils, with memorable and enriching activities which support personal development.

Millwood Primary is involved in community projects and clubs including football, singing, and junk modelling. They have links to the Manchester City Primary League and local rugby coaching. Pupils visit Meadowcroft Farm, Heaton Park, Bridgewater Hall, Foundation 92, Manchester Science and Industry Museum, and local Leisure Centres, as well as partaking in Special Needs Games, Pentathlon, Boccia, and Curling. Each pupil is provided with a personalised community challenge to complete every year by the PE Lead, with work being put into removing any barriers as needed. The school uses all forms of public transport to prevent a lack of specialist transport from preventing any pupil from participating in an activity.

Focus on communication

The day that pupils arrive in Early Years the school starts its systematic approach to developing communication skills. Staff consider the best of a wide range of activities to help pupils communicate. This might include the use of visual signing and picture-based communication systems. The school believes that all learners have a right to an outstanding education. Everyone at every level is committed to the achievement of every child.

The Millwood Project

Millwood Primary has built up an impressive reputation for outreach and support. One of the elements previously offered was Team Teach, where behaviour support training was delivered by staff from Millwood Primary. Millwood Primary has continued to offer outreach support and has had great success with their Early Years training, sensory play, and SEND friendly classroom courses. They offer a ‘direct coaching model’ where a bespoke three-hour visit is offered. This involves discussion, observation, and collaborative sessions. Millwood Primary staff will model practice, leave objectives and return later to review impact. There is a strong focus on teamwork and communication, to foster supportive working practices and recognise the needs of distressed individuals.

Everyone involved with Millwood Primary is committed to the inclusion ideals of the school and is prepared to do whatever it takes to overcome any barriers. Millwood Primary has an impressive culture of continual professional development and is committed to the inclusion of all pupils in the school and community. We are proud to award Flagship School status.