Welcome to Bridgelea Primary School

Welcome to Bridgelea Primary School, a maintained Pupil Referral Unit dedicated to supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH). We invite you to explore our website, which provides insights into our school’s ethos, vision, and the nurturing environment we strive to create for every child.

A Message from the Head Teacher, Kelly Eyre

At Bridgelea Primary School, we take pride in being a school that has earned a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted, and we are committed to providing the very best learning opportunities for each child entrusted to our care. We cater to 134 children in Key Stages 1 and 2, many of whom possess an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and face individual challenges. Here at Bridgelea, we embrace the principle of “Your right to become the best that you can be” – a belief grounded in Article 29 of the Children’s Rights Charter.

Our Commitment to Nurture and Wellbeing

As a National Nurturing School accredited by Nurture UK, we understand that every child develops at their own pace. Our curriculum and teaching methodologies are founded on nurturing principles, ensuring that emotional development and wellbeing are central to all we do. This nurturing approach cultivates a safe environment where children feel understood, supported, and ready to learn.

Our dedicated teaching teams utilise specialised strategies to meet the diverse developmental stages of our pupils. This tailored approach fosters resilience, confidence, and independence, equipping our students with essential skills to thrive in both school and beyond.

Rights Respecting School Gold Accreditation

Bridgelea is proud to hold the Rights Respecting School Gold Accreditation, embedding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout our school’s culture and curriculum. We work closely with families and the wider community to enhance children’s access to enriching activities and educational opportunities.

• Our Article 12 Squad empowers children to express their views and be heard.
• Classroom charters, crafted by the children, focus on specific rights each term.
• Our curriculum promotes global citizenship, enriched by assemblies, theme weeks, visits, and guest speakers.

Language and Communication: The Bridgelea Approach

Language is fundamental to all learning and communication. Recognising this, Bridgelea has adopted the Elklan Language Friendly School approach. Our staff are trained in Elklan methods, employing visuals, structured communication, and additional processing time to meet the diverse communication needs of our children.

We actively support positive self-beliefs and resilience, assisting children in overcoming barriers related to communication difficulties such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and dyslexia.

Reflecting Our Vision and Values: “Understanding People”

To provide an ambitious, nurturing and inclusive education where every child feels safe, respected and valued, develops the knowledge and skills needed to thrive, and has their rights, voice and wellbeing placed at the heart of everything we do.

Understanding People is the practical expression of our nurturing approach. We believe that when adults take time to understand children’s experiences, emotions, communication and developmental needs, they are better able to build relationships, remove barriers to learning and help children thrive. Through the principles of nurture, we create a safe, inclusive and ambitious environment where every child feels understood, respected and valued, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

1. Children’s learning is understood developmentally
Understanding people means recognising that children arrive at Bridgelea with different experiences, strengths and developmental needs. Staff identify where children are developmentally and provide appropriate support, scaffolding and challenge to help them succeed.

2. The classroom offers a safe base
Learning flourishes through trust, belonging and positive relationships. Staff create emotionally and physically safe environments where children feel secure enough to take risks, make mistakes and learn.

3. Nurture is important for the development of wellbeing
Understanding people requires us to prioritise relationships, connection and emotional wellbeing. Through relational practice, children develop confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of self.

4. Language is a vital means of communication
One of Bridgelea’s core values is developing understanding through communication, with a strong emphasis on speech, language and communication development. This closely reflects the nurture principle that language is central to learning, relationships and self-regulation.

5. All behaviour is communication
Understanding people means looking beyond behaviour to understand what children may be communicating about their needs, emotions or experiences. Staff respond with curiosity and support rather than judgement, whilst maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.

6. Transitions are significant in the lives of children
Many Bridgelea pupils have experienced significant disruption, change or trauma. Understanding people means recognising the impact of these experiences and providing planned, supportive transitions that help children feel secure and successful.

Partnership with Families and Community

At Bridgelea, we cherish the crucial role families play in a child’s education. We work collaboratively with parents, carers, and community partners to establish a supportive network that enriches our children’s learning journey. Our pastoral offer includes close partnerships with Early Help services and social care, ensuring that families receive the assistance they need.

Join Us on This Journey

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you find this information both helpful and inspiring as you consider Bridgelea Primary School for your child. We are dedicated to nurturing every child’s potential and ensuring they develop the skills, confidence, and resilience necessary to succeed.

If you would like to learn more or arrange a visit, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the Bridgelea community.

Kind regards,

Kelly Eyre

Head Teacher