About
Our SchoolOur History
‘Bright Futures’ began as a small charity in 2007. It was created by a group of parents who were seeking improvements to the quality and range of services for children with autism.
In March 2010 Bright Futures secured a ‘start-up’ grant with which to develop ‘special school’ provision in partnership with Saddleworth Preparatory School but when that school closed a few weeks later it became necessary to start from scratch.
We were fortunate, in August 2010, to find premises in Grasscroft. In March 2011, the new school underwent a successful ‘material change’ Ofsted inspection with the outcome that Bright Futures School was registered with the DfE as a special school for children with autism.
Operating with only one pupil from September 2010, then with only two from September 2011 resulted, by March 2012, in the Charity running up unacceptable debts. At that point the school was taken on by two of the charity’s Trustees as ‘Bright Futures School Limited’ operating as an independent special school with the support of HSBC bank loans.
The school survived and is now firmly established in Greenfield with pupils funded by surrounding local councils, and over 20 qualified full-time and part-time staff.
Our Facilities
We Are Providing an Environment for Our Students to Grow & Excel
In February 2020, we moved into our new school in Greenfield, purpose built especially for Bright Futures School and financed by local company Robert Scott and Son.
The school is on one floor and consists of 16 dedicated classrooms. We have the capacity for 18 pupils.
Building courtesy of Robert Scott & Son
We have an interactive sensory room for pupils to access if they are feeling anxious or dysregulated.
Reception is the hub of the school and close by are the staffroom as well as the school office where Zoe, Louise and Hayley can be found.
In addition to the usual facilities we have a shower room, utility area and a medical room.
There is plenty of space outside for pupils and we have play and fitness equipment of a sensory nature.
We are delighted to have a truly stunning building that offers so much space, in such a calm and peaceful environment!
Our Staff
Zoe Thompson, Proprietor, (BA Hons – Social Policy and Administration) is Head of Development, with responsibilities for staff training, the personal development curriculum, liaison with parents and outside agencies. She has a background in health education. As a fully qualified RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention) Consultant, Zoe uses her knowledge and experience of RDI® for the benefit of pupils at the school.
Louise Whalley (B.Ed (Hons), QTS, NPQH) : Headteacher; Head of Learning; Designated Safeguarding Lead; Maths Lead
Lisa (BS Journalism; Level 3 Children and Young People’s Workforce) : CoPE Lead; School Council; Learning Mentor
Meghan (TA level 1) : Learning Mentor
Hayley (BA Honours English, PGCE, QTS) : EHCP Lead; Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead; English Lead; Humanities Lead; Internal Verifier
Helen (NVQ level 4 in childcare and education) : Learning Mentor
Jessica (Early Childhood Studies Degree, PGCE) : Experiential lead; Art and Design Lead; Learning Mentor
Elaine (Level 3 TA) : Learning Mentor; Examinations Officer
Jody (HLTA and Forest School Level 3) : Forest School Lead; Learning Mentor
Hannah (BA Hons in Education and Psychology) : PSHE Lead; Learning Mentor
Emma (Level 3 Diploma in Complete SEND, Level 3 Diploma in Child Psychology): Communication and Language Lead; Internal Quality Assurer; Learning Mentor
Claire (BSc Honours, PGCE, QTS, MA Inclusive Education) : Educational Offsite Visit Lead; Risk Assessment Lead; Learning Mentor
Eppie (Front line management, Level 3 in Oral Health and Conscious Sedation) : Systems and Administration Manager; Assessor
Lauren (Level 3 in Education and Training) : Learning Mentor
Molly : PE Lead; Learning Mentor
Alex (PGCE QTLS) : Fire Marshal; Learning Mentor
Stacey (Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning with Level 3 SEN) : Employability Lead; Learning Mentor
Polly (Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 3) : Learning Mentor
Sam (BSc Honours) : Science Lead; Learning Mentor
Jayne (BA Children & Young people) and Mechel (FBFS) support the staff and children in school.
Dixon, husband of Zoe Thompson died on Thursday 31 August, 2017.
Dixon was highly instrumental in preparing, planning, implementing and giving on-going input into Bright Futures School, as a co-founder with Zoe. Dixon, although often in the background, was also a silent driving force within the efforts to get RDI recognised as an educational intervention within the UK. He always had words of wisdom and knowledge to impart and gave great support to Zoe in all her endeavours.
Those that knew Dixon state he was a ‘very nice man’. Bright Futures School staff capture Dixon’s essence ‘he will be remembered for his dry sense of humour, his patience, calmness and kindness, a genuinely lovely man who was never flustered, always had a quirky tale to tell and offered brilliant support’.
Those whose lives were touched by Dixon truly miss him. Dixon’s legacy lives on within the work that continues to help children and young people with autism at Bright Futures School, within Zoe’s ongoing mission to raise the RDI profile within in the UK and through his sons Philip and Louis.