or call 020 7404 3400
or call 020 7404 3400
This is a remarkable milestone in the ongoing journey of the North Star Family of Schools.
The event brought together staff, governors, council partners, contractors, and supporters. Everyone celebrated, not just a building, but also the vision and dedication that’s transformed it into a vibrant space for pupils, families, and the wider community.
The new look school offers a safe environment that aims to nurture young minds, inspire learning, build a sense of belonging, and enable personal growth.
Initially, the school served a handful of pupils. All had additional needs and attended the Oakwood Woodland Campus and the Rushall ARP (the first ARP in Walsall). But today, the school proudly welcomes more than 260 children and young people with special educational needs.
These pupils attend the fully refurbished Oakwood School on Pelsall Lane, along with 25 neurodiverse pupils at the Rushall Primary School ARP. This expansion was made possible through the careful refurbishment of a former education centre (which was previously a local comprehensive school). The process started in 2020 and has continued over a number of years. Governing body, Walsall Council, and countless partners, also supported and encouraged them along the way.
The drive and leadership of Executive Headteacher Kate Bargh is at the heart of this achievement.
And, as Dan Parkes (CEO of the Mercian Trust) remarked, “Kate’s exceptional energy and vision have been instrumental in bringing the project to life“.
Representatives from Walsall Council, Rob Thomas, and Councillor Mike Bird, echoed this sentiment. They emphasised that Kate’s leadership of a dedicated and committed staff team has steered the course. And, the combined efforts of council members, funders, and all partners have made the vision a reality.
Lisa Savage, Director at Promote Your School attended the launch of the completed project. Promote Your School created all Wall Art for the project;
Lisa explains; “Walking through the completed school was truly inspiring. What struck me most was the atmosphere of love and care that radiates through every space. I could see the enthusiasm of the staff who have worked around the ongoing building throughout each phase, with patience and resilience. Helen Jones and Michelle Smith showed me around. And, they had real passion for the project and for the school’s ethos, values, and community spirit.
The facilities have been thoughtfully designed to support every aspect of pupil development: from calming sensory rooms and innovative breakout spaces to a double-height soft playroom and specialist hygiene suites. Bright, well-planned classrooms, sensory features along the corridors, and abundant outdoor play areas all reflect the school’s deep commitment to helping children flourish as whole individuals. For example; a shipwreck, forest school, and raised beds to teach pupils how to grow their own food.
Dedicated areas for art, cooking, and STEM enable pupils to embrace creativity, innovation and technology, and prepare for adulthood by fostering independence and life skills. Every detail embodies the staff’s care and determination to nurture not only learning, but also emotional, social, and physical well-being.”
The Promote Your School team were delighted to contribute to this journey as the school’s Wall Art partner.
Since our first project together we have worked closely with Kate and her team. We created an under-the-sea canteen and forest welcome area at the Oakwood Woodland Campus back in 2018. Here, we aimed to bring to life her vision for the walls of all three sites through creative design. We’ve since implemented themed stairwells inspired by rainforests, deserts, and fairytale woodlands. And corridors, filled with calming skies, balloons and solar systems.
We aimed to make spaces feel welcoming, engaging, and supportive of pupils’ needs. Each design is more than a decoration. It comforts, inspires, and helps pupils feel safe and regulated as they move through the day.
Kate explained how staff at the school use the Wall Art to support pupils. She said that it offers a welcome distraction during moments of overwhelm. While visuals can teach strategies for self-regulation. Michelle Smith (Head of Oakwood Primary) and Helen Jones (Senior Assistant Headteacher – Rushall Primary) also shared how the designs spark language development. They give children something new and rich to talk about time and time again.
We tailored each design to reflect the North Star Family of Schools’ ethos: that children remain the guiding compass point in every decision. The designs are already proving to be a valuable tool and support pupils every day. We are so proud to think that our designs will continue to be a part of the development of each pupil who passes through the doors.
Of course, our work is just one piece of a much bigger picture.
The launch gave us a chance to stand alongside the many others who have contributed. For example; architects, builders, engineers, and council teams. Each played their part in creating an environment where children can thrive.
As the Chair of Governors, Paul Labrum observed, even the best teaching and learning needs the right environment for pupils to flourish. This includes those who planned the layouts and worked tirelessly on the hidden elements such as wiring and plumbing. And our team at Promote Your School, adding the final touches of colour and creativity. Every contribution has helped shape a school that feels alive with possibility.
The building might be finished now, but this is only the beginning!
The vision for Oakwood and Rushall continues to grow. They plan to expand the specialist provision at the Woodland Campus and develop further areas at Pelsall Lane. The new building also houses the North Star Inclusion Advisory Team, who aim to share their expertise and specialised training. This is created in conjunction with Autism Education Trust and Partnerships Inclusion Neurodiversity Schools (PINS). And they’re working with other schools to extend their leading work in neurodiversity training nationwide. It’s inspiring to think how far-reaching the impact of this community will be.
As the school prepares to welcome pupils back for the new academic year, we celebrate not just the completion of a building, but the start of an exciting new chapter. We wish the pupils, their families, and the incredible staff team a joyful and successful year ahead.
At Promote Your School we design bespoke Wall Art for schools around the world. Our service includes design, print and installation. And we create all artwork in-house and bespoke.
Contact us to find out more. We offer a free and no obligation consultation to get started.
We’ll visit your school to understand your goals, explain our process and provide you with a no-obligation quote.
