About Us

Barrowford Primary School: A Place to Learn, Grow, and Thrive

Welcome to Barrowford Primary School, where we believe that every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment. With 320 pupils on roll, we are a two-form entry primary school, and we are proud to offer a welcoming and enriching educational experience for children from all backgrounds.

Nestled in the picturesque village of Barrowford, our school draws children from a diverse range of areas, including Nelson, Burnley, Colne, Barnoldswick, Earby, Rawtenstall, and Accrington. While we do not have a nursery attached to the school, we are increasingly welcoming children from a variety of nursery settings. This growing diversity enriches our school community and helps us create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

At Barrowford Primary, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We have a high number of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with 19% receiving SEN support and 13% having Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). Our commitment to supporting all children includes two Local Authority SEND units specialising in Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) and Communication, Language, and Communication Needs. These units provide 32 additional places, offering tailored support for children who need extra help to succeed.

Our diverse community is further enriched by around 17% of children who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), and we work hard to ensure that all children, regardless of background, feel supported and valued. The percentage of children eligible for Ever 6 funding is well above the national average at 41%, and we make sure our curriculum is flexible enough to meet the needs of all learners, including those facing disadvantage, SEND, and EAL. This flexibility ensures that every child receives the support they need to reach their full potential.

At Barrowford, we are proud to be a reward-free and sanction-free school, focusing instead on restorative approaches to behaviour. We believe that learning from mistakes, restoring relationships, and taking personal responsibility for actions is key to creating a positive and respectful school community. Our restorative practices encourage children to reflect on their actions, understand their impact on others, and make amends in a supportive, respectful way. This approach helps us to foster an environment where all children can learn and grow in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

The design of our classrooms plays a vital role in supporting children’s well-being. To provide consistency and stability, all classrooms are decorated in a similar style, featuring grey carpets, white walls, and hessian-backed displays. This consistency helps children feel familiar and secure, particularly those who may struggle with changes in their environment. Minimising transitions between spaces supports children, especially those with additional needs, and ensures a smooth and positive learning experience for everyone.

We are deeply committed to the safeguarding and well-being of our pupils. In addition to the dedication of our teaching staff, we have a school-based social worker, a full-time therapist, and a range of nurture groups to provide mental health support. We also have four therapeutic classrooms for our oldest children, designed to create a calm, supportive environment where they can regulate their emotions and engage in their learning. These spaces are designed to support children who may struggle with emotional regulation, offering tailored interventions to help them navigate their emotions.

Our curriculum is broad, ambitious, and designed with the child at the heart of everything we do. We ensure that every child, regardless of ability or need, has access to a high-quality education. English and mathematics are at the core of our curriculum, with a strong focus on developing foundational skills and providing appropriate challenge. We monitor each child’s progress closely through regular assessments to ensure that all children are supported to meet national expectations.

In addition to academic subjects, our curriculum also places a strong emphasis on personal development, emotional well-being, and cultural capital. We believe that a well-rounded education is essential for helping children become responsible, compassionate citizens. We celebrate national and global traditions, music, arts, and events, as well as promoting a strong understanding of our local culture. Children participate in activities such as weekly music tuition provided by specialist teachers from the Lancashire Music Service, visits to the Halle Orchestra, and the Young Voices choir. These experiences enrich children’s cultural understanding and help them build a well-rounded awareness of the world around them.

We also ensure that every child, including those with SEND, is fully supported to achieve their potential. Our curriculum is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of individual children, offering tailored support and differentiated learning opportunities to help all pupils succeed. For example, Year 3 to Year 6 pupils benefit from our pop-up swimming pool, which offers intensive swimming lessons, ensuring that all children are able to swim the required 25 metres. Additionally, all children have the opportunity to attend residential trips, with Year 6 pupils even taking a special trip to London at the end of the year.

Through our approach, we also aim to build resilience, empathy, and self-regulation. We integrate character education into our curriculum to help children develop important life skills that will serve them both inside and outside of school. We focus on promoting emotional and social well-being, with values such as empathy, respect, and responsibility embedded in everything we do. Our behaviour policy is designed to foster a climate of respect, safety, and excellence, encouraging positive behaviour and providing feedback as a learning tool.

We celebrate our school community together with regular events, such as our weekly Celebration Assembly, where we celebrate learning achievements, birthdays, and the coming together of our school family. Every child participates in a Christmas production and a class assembly, giving them opportunities to express themselves and showcase their talents. Parents are invited to join us for ‘Parent’s Lunch and Learn’ events, where they can experience what life is like in the classroom and enjoy lunch with their children. We also encourage parents to get involved in our school community through events that strengthen the partnership between home and school.

At Barrowford Primary, we are committed to providing a positive and supportive learning environment where every child is encouraged to be the best version of themselves. We take pride in the strong relationships we build with our pupils and their families, and we are dedicated to ensuring that every child leaves our school equipped not just with academic knowledge, but with the emotional intelligence, resilience, and compassion needed to be a responsible, engaged member of society.

We would be delighted to welcome you to our school and show you firsthand the supportive, inclusive, and vibrant learning environment that makes Barrowford Primary School a truly special place for every child. Together, we can help every child achieve their full potential.