What We Offer

We are a Specialist School in Kent for boys and girls aged 5-11 years (Years 1-6). We cater for pupils who have additional needs whether working below or above age appropriate expectations and for children who require extra nurturing and support.

The majority of our pupils have Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs).

Some of our pupils enter the school having fallen behind their peers leading to a lack in confidence. We can encourage them to develop a positive approach and a determination to succeed.

The following strategies are practised at our school:

For children with Dyslexia or literacy difficulties

offering concise instructions with prompts
use of simple sentences
teaching of active listening skills
word finding activities
use of mind maps
speaking and listening practise
focus on vocabulary skills
Coloured overlays
Cream paper
Dyslexia friendly font
Dyslexia friendly exercise books & reading books
pre teaching
use of visual and physical prompts
Dyslexia Screening is offered (see fees page).

For Children with DCD

Sensory Circuits (A gross motor skills programme set by The Occupational therapist)
Clever Fingers
Core stability cushions/Hokki stools
Sloping desks
Fine and Gross Motor Skills classes
Pencil grips

For Children with Dyscalculia and Numeracy Difficulties

Numicon – for more info see website
Number lines for each child
Number cards
Concrete apparatus

For Children with Confidence, Self Esteem or Social Communication Difficulties

Social communication skills classes
Peer activities
Animal & pet therapy
Social stories
Therapeutic play
Use of Restorative Practice programme

Year 6 pupils transfer to a range of Secondary Schools, including Local Authority and Independent Mainstream Schools, Local Authority Schools with attached resource based provisions and Local Authority & Independent Special Schools.

See Fees page for details on Personalised Learning Classes which are included in the termly fees.

See Fees page for details on Therapies which can be provided on site.

Find out more

If you are interested in Birtley House and would like to see how we can help your child achieve their full potential, come for a guided tour and a discussion with the Headteacher or SENCO.