Holdsworth
School

Please note: Holdsworth School is still awaiting registration and is not yet open.

Located in Burnley, Lancashire, Holdsworth school has excellent regional accessibility and strong links to local services. Opening in Summer Term 2026 on a spacious former private school site, it will provide high-quality, purpose-designed facilities.

Our specialist school will support children and young people aged 5–18 with SEMH needs, neurodivergent profiles, and social communication difficulties, offering up to 70 mixed-gender places.

The environment is calm, structured, and welcoming, with large flexible classrooms featuring built-in sensory and regulation spaces. Facilities include a hall, library, quiet exam rooms, kitchen spaces, and low-stimulus wellbeing areas, all within a fully accessible building.

Outdoor provision includes a MUGA, forest school, sensory and natural spaces, outdoor classrooms, and sports areas to support regulation, engagement, and learning. Teaching is delivered in small classes with high staff-to-pupil ratios, using a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach that supports emotional wellbeing, confidence, and meaningful progress.

Our young people may have a number of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, FASD, anxiety and/or, communication and interaction, cognition, and learning needs.

Our vision is to provide a learning environment where young people can thrive, feel supported, safe and are then able to leave school happy with relevant experiences and outcomes to enable them to contribute to the wider community.

Passionate about education

We are passionate about what we do and that’s providing a high-quality, aspirational education for children offering individual learning programmes. We take a holistic view of each of our children, offering individual care and a complete range of support that’s constantly evolving with their needs. With a planned opening date of early Spring 2026, our school features:

Small, carefully matched classes of up to eight pupils, each supported by a dedicated teacher and teaching assistant.
An intimate, nurturing environment with well-resourced classrooms, as well as multi-purpose and sensory spaces.
Highly trained staff skilled in trauma-informed practice, integrated communication, and relational approaches.
A broad and balanced curriculum that prioritises the development of reading, writing, numeracy, and communication skills, ensuring increased access to a rich and varied offer.

Proprietor

Polaris Children’s Services
Chair: Jo August
Malvern View
Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road,
Stoke Prior
Bromsgrove, B60 4AD

01606 653092

Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Caroline Swindells
Holdsworth School,
Park Hill, Padiham Road,
Burnley,
Lancashire, BB12 6TG

01282 226011

Governing Body

Our school has a Governing Body which is chaired by Jo August.

Address for correspondence:
Malvern View
Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road,
Stoke Prior
Bromsgrove, B60 4AD

Part of the Polaris Community

Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Leaving Care services, Education and bespoke children’s services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We’re ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.

About Polaris Education at Polaris

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