Keighley MP Robbie Moore has visited BUD@Upwood, a specialist education provider in the Worth Valley, to learn more about the essential support they offer to children and young people with learning difficulties.
BUD@Upwood works closely with schools to support students who are struggling with attendance—whether they are on a reduced timetable or unable to attend mainstream education altogether due to learning difficulties, anxiety, or other barriers.
Their team of highly trained teachers and specialist learning mentors help children work through Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and overcome past challenges with school attendance.
They also provide 1:1 tuition in English and Maths, following the National Curriculum and tailoring lessons to match the schemes used by students’ individual schools.
During his visit, Mr Moore met with Head of Provision, Kate Hudson, to discuss how the organisation is working to re-engage children in learning and help them build the confidence and skills needed to return to school.
He also spoke with parents about their personal experiences navigating SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision in mainstream schools and the difficulties they have faced accessing the right support.
BUD@Upwood takes a holistic approach to education, working towards outcomes in Cognition & Learning, Communication & Interaction, Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH), and Sensory & Physical needs. Their calm, low-demand environment provides a safe space for children to recover, decompress, and rebuild their confidence, while their indoor soft play and outdoor spaces support sensory needs and physical movement, which are often key to engagement in learning.
For more information about BUD@Upwood’s work, visit budupwood.co.uk.
Commenting on the visit, Robbie Moore MP said:
“The work being done Kate and her team at BUD@Upwood is truly life-changing for children and families across Keighley and the Worth Valley. Too many children struggle in mainstream settings because their needs simply aren’t being met, and when that happens, they can become completely disengaged from education. BUD@Upwood is stepping in to fill that gap and offering a tailored approach to help these young people get back on track.
Hearing from parents about their personal experiences was incredibly important. SEND provision in mainstream schools must improve, but in the meantime, we are extremely fortunate to have organisations like BUD@Upwood providing such specialist support. At a wider level, I will continue to champion better support for SEND children and families at every level.”
