Our School

Birribi Education is a Welsh Assembly Government Registered independent SEN school for children and young adults aged 8 – 18 with Autism, ADHD, Childhood Trauma and ACES as well as SEBD and other ALN difficulties. The team has many years of experience in supporting and teaching children with Additional Learning Needs, and all teachers are fully qualified and receive regular training.

The Proprietor of the School is Dr Deborah Judge

For those where a mainstream setting is not appropriate, Birribi Education provides an integrated, bespoke curriculum that is child centred – meeting the needs, wishes and aspirations of each individual. Working closely with the homes and the therapeutic team we apply the YCIA model. This is designed to build self-belief and confidence by giving every child opportunities to experience success both in the home and at school. This approach is integrated within a curriculum that focuses on academic achievement and the development of independent living skills that every young person needs to move forward in life.

We are committed to working closely with students, parents/carers and social workers, with regular reports and updates regarding individual progress, targets and achievements. Each of our residential care homes has its own education unit staffed by a qualified teacher and a learning support assistant. In total, Birribi education has four qualified teachers and four learning support assistants. Student/teacher ratios are at present one-to-one and will never exceed two-to-one.

For those children who are at Birribi and are in mainstream education, we aim to offer an uplifted level of support; we offer direct liaison and communication between our Education team and school in conjunction with the care home staff.  We are actively involved in contributing to meetings and reports, while working collaboratively with education providers.

Dr Deborah Judge is the Clinical Director for Birribi and the Responsible Individual with a key role in overseeing the quality of all of our services.

As a company that works primarily through supporting the needs and wishes of vulnerable children and young adults, we would be very pleased to answer any queries from prospective parents and interested Local Authorities. Our referral process for enrolment at Birribi Education can be obtained from enquiries@birribi.org.

If you would like to find out more information about Birribi Education, please contact us on 01834 818587. Our Head Teacher Harriet Saltiel will be happy to speak with you, alternatively, you can email enquiries@birribi.org. Furthermore if you would like specific information concerning:- the school curriculum, the school prospectus, Bullying and the promotion of Good behaviour and Sanctions (all of these are covered in the Behaviour management policy), Child Protection (this is our Safeguarding Policy), Complaints and Compliments, our Health and Safety policy, our ALN policy and the school support mechanism, Outdoor Education, equine therapy, the school aims and our philosophy is all available on request.

 

We welcome feedback about our services. If you wish to compliment or complain regarding any aspect of Birribi Education, please contact the company by writing to our head office or email enquiries@birribi.org.

EDUCATION & LEARNING
Our School
Outdoor Learning
Independent Living Skills
Community

Birribi Education Term Dates 2023/2024

Autumn Term 2023 (76 school days)
• Designated staff training closure days: Friday 1st September and Monday 4th September 2023
• Term begins: Tuesday 5th September 2023
• Designated staff training closure day: Friday 27th October
• Half term: Monday 30th October 2023 – Friday 3rd November 2023
• Term ends: Friday 22nd December 2023
• Christmas holidays: Monday 25th December 2023 – Friday 5th January 2024

Spring Term 2024 (50 days)
• Term begins: Monday 8th January 2024
• Designated staff training closure day: Friday 9th February
• Half term: Monday 12th February 2024 – Friday 16th February 2024
• Term ends: Friday 22nd March 2024
• Easter holidays: Monday 25th March 2024 – Friday 5th April 2024

Summer Term 2024 (69 days)
• Designated staff training day: Monday 8th April 2024
• Term begins: Tuesday 9th April 2024
• Half term: Monday 27th May 2024 – Friday 31st May 2024
• Term ends: Thursday 18th July 2024
• Designated staff training closure day: Friday 19th July 2024

Our Teachers

Birribi schools currently employ 8 staff (1 vacancy)

Qualifications are available on request

Harriet Saltiel

Harriet Saltiel

Head Teacher

Harriet Saltiel became Head Teacher at Birribi in March 2023 and is proud to be part of a committed team of professionals and a company that cares for vulnerable and traumatised children. Harriet qualified in 2016 with a degree in Education, BA (Hons) from Cardiff University and went on to study a PGCE with the University of Buckingham.  Harriet has experience in a wide range of settings, both mainstream and independent, and has taught children and young people from the ages of 3 to 18.  Harriet is happiest when outdoors and is a strong advocate for the value of outdoor learning!

Lisa Huggett

Lisa Huggett

Teacher

Lisa Huggett qualified in 2000 with a BA Education in Geography degree.  She has been teaching children in the looked after system for 18 years. She has a special interest in teaching children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Specific Learning Difficulties, Social, Emotional and behaviour and also with children with Attachment disorders.  She enjoys teaching in a child led environment, both within the classroom and outside. She enjoys gardening, being creative and exploring the outside world.
Fran Davies

Fran Davies

Teacher

Fran Davies Bed (Hons) is an experienced Special Needs teacher with 20 years of experience working with children with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities in specialist settings. She is also trained in the TEACCH approach to working with children with ASD, Attention Autism and Colourful Semantics. Fran uses a range of creative and individualised approaches to engage and motivate young people to achieve their potential. She has trained as an Outdoor Education Practitioner, which gives her the opportunity to bring her love of gardening and the natural environment and her experience of being brought up on a farm to the work she does with our young people. Fran is able to speak Welsh, French and Spanish and has a wide range of Art and Craft skills which she uses to enrich the curriculum.
Rachael Kingsbury

Rachael Kingsbury

Teacher

Rachael has worked in education, therapeutic communies and mental health settings for 18 years; as an artist in residence, schoolteacher working with a spectrum of young people who have ASD, ADHD, trauma, PTSD & BPD. Rachael also worked as a SEND lecturer in a college, where she set up employability & enterprise projects & for 8 years as a teacher in a prison with young offenders. She has a Degree & PGCE & before teaching worked as a textile designer/ colourist. Rachael has taught accredited subjects from Pre- Entry up to A2 Level.

In her spare time, she loves being in nature, at her allotment growing flowers and organic vegetables & enjoys cold-water sea swimming.