Kirby Moor School

The Kirby Moor site is situated in Brampton, Cumbria. Here the focus is educating pupils who need the approach of a secondary school including specialist teaching areas and specialist subject teachers. This approach is carefully mirrored while keeping class groups to no more than 5 pupils in a group.

Student in computing class at Kirby Moor School
Kirby Moor school pupil playing educational game on a tablet
Student using mixer deck at Kirby Moor School

We aim to help children to be ready to engage with learning, to manage their emotional responses in more socially acceptable ways and  to express themselves with increasing emotional literacy and confidence.

Kirby Moor site also has a Nurture Unit on site which offers pupils learning and growth within a holistic, nurturing environment. Practical, hands-on activities are underpinned by the National Curriculum and supported by individual programmes and planning.

By offering this mirrored approach we aspire to ready our pupils for transition back to mainstream schools or post 16 provision.

We are very proud of our track record of successful transition and our recent accreditation results including at GCSE and Cambridge National level

The pupils at Kirby main site have often had difficulties in accessing learning at mainstream schools, such as:

  • Special Educational needs which present as Behaviour which can challenge.
  • Attention and concentration difficulties
  • Attachment Disorders and Anxiety related difficulties
  • Young people deemed hard to engage due to mental/emotional health needs including ‘school phobia’

We have a comprehensive assessment and tracking system which ensures pupils are taught at a level which leads them to rapid academic progress while also developing their social and emotional regulation skills

Our facilities include:

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6 large classroom bases

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Science lab

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Art and design workshop

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Library

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Small group areas

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Garden area

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Recreational areas

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Dining room

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Outdoor undercover learning space

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Pastoral team & support services

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Quiet spaces around the school

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Qualified nurse

Our Teaching Approach

Every class has a maximum of 5 pupils and is led by a qualified teacher and learning support assistant. The specific needs of pupils are met by developing and implementing Individual Learning Plans.

Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills are the focus of all teaching and learning, aiming to narrow any gaps our pupils may have in their knowledge and understanding.

Pupils gain self-respect and self confidence by experiencing success. All pupils gain accreditation at a level suited to their ability.

Pupils are grouped according to emotional literacy and academic ability. Similar ability groups ensure the curriculum is delivered at a level the individual pupil needs.

The staff are experienced in working with pupils who have encountered negative experiences at previous educational settings.

Positive encouragement and learning experiences are reinforced in every area of the school to enable every young person to feel included and very much a part of our school.

We instill a sense of pride and belonging for every young person to encourage a positive experience in education and give them aspirations and goals to achieve both now and in the future.

Kirby Moor school pupil playing a keyboard with headphones on