Briarwood Infants

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Briarwood Infants, previously known as The Pod, is a specialist Early Years setting for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Autism (ASC) and children with Complex Needs. It is an 18 place provision, with 3 classrooms for children from Nursery to Year 2. Pupils offered a place at Briarwood Infants must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and admissions are through Bristol City Council SEND department, not through the school.

Briarwood Infants is situated within the Barton Hill Academy school site, retaining good links and relationships with the mainstream provision; however we have our own entrance, reception, and specialist staff and facilities. Supporting children and their families from the East Central area of Bristol as well as other areas in the city, we celebrate the rich diversity of our community's nationalities and languages.

Briarwood Infants serves as a supportive first placement for young children who are recognised as needing a specialist setting or who are not currently flourishing in other placements. With our bespoke Briarwood Early Years Stages curriculum developed for our unique children from well researched EYFS models, our highly trained expert staff team follow an Early Years play based approach with a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning. We believe in a supporting our children intensively during the crucial foundation years to make certain they access the provision they need which is individualised and monitored to ensure they meet their full potential. We work closely with a range of professional therapists to ensure best practice. Many of our children will continue on to Briarwood Juniors with a carefully planned transition, although it may be appropriate to move onto another specialist setting or integrate into a mainstream provision, a process that takes place with families and professionals through the annual review.

Recognising the value of partnerships with parents, Briarwood Infants is proud of the close relationships that are built with families, signposting to services and providing support around each unique child's learning and development to enable the best possible outcomes. We welcome you to come and visit us.