A new school set to open in Breightmet will welcome pupils later this year.

The independent school on Milthorpe Road will provide specialist education for young people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum condition.

It will also include sixth-form provision. 

Birchwood Children’s Services, which runs a school in Warrington, will provide education for children and young people between the ages of five and eighteen.

The official opening date of the school is yet to be confirmed for a proposed number of 80 full-time pupils.

The school will be run by headteacher and Director of Birchwood Children’s Services Deborah Chappell.

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Birchwood’s new location will offer education for children who are on the “Autistic Spectrum, Learning difficulties,  physical disabilities and complex needs with associated challenging behaviour and young people with social emotional behaviour difficulties (SEBD)”.

An application for the school was lodged in June at the site previously belonging to Breightmet Autism Centre, which has been vacant since it was ordered to close by the Care Quality Commission last year after it was rated inadequate.

Ofsted carried out a pre-registration inspection at the school and reported 'it is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens'.

The building has since undergone extensive renovation and will be used solely by the proposed school.

Ms Chappel is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.

Ms Chappel said: “Birchwood School is excited to welcome its inaugural students this year, offering a safe and nurturing environment that fosters a positive and enriching learning experience.”

 The plans for the school’s curriculum will be based on those already used successfully at the Warrington School.

The school promises to provide “opportunities for all children to develop their social skills” as well as “celebrating students for what they can achieve and enable them to go into the world with confidence.”

Ofsted said: "The proposed school’s extensive premises have been refurbished to a high standard.

"The building is suitably equipped to meet the requirements of the intended curriculum and to provide for pupils’ welfare and safety.

"There is sufficient classroom and social space for the intended final number of pupils.

The proprietor has also provided the facilities that are necessary for the pupils that the school will cater for, such as therapeutic areas and comfortable ‘break-out’ spaces. Provision has been made for specialist art rooms, a hair salon and a pupil kitchen where food technology and life skills lessons will be taught.

"All building work has been completed. Corridors are spacious and free from clutter. The toilet and washing facilities, showers and medical facilities are suitable. Toilets can be locked from the inside to provide the user with privacy.

"The premises are fully accessible to users with disabilities. This includes the first floor, which is accessible by stairs or lift."