Anyone with experience of Sunnydown/Slidon College/LVS Hassocks?

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Hello

My son is currently in Y5 with 25 hours support in a mainstream class. We feel that he will need a specialist environment for secondary.

We have looked round many schools and have found very few near us (we are in Surrey, near the West Sussex border) that offer GCSEs and the right level of support.

We are interested in Sunnydown, Slindon COllege and LVS Hassocks. Has anyone got any experience (good or bad) with these chills or could recommend any other schools?

Many thanks
Jay x

Hello

My son is currently in Y5 with 25 hours support in a mainstream class. We feel that he will need a specialist environment for secondary.

We have looked round many schools and have found very few near us (we are in Surrey, near the West Sussex border) that offer GCSEs and the right level of support.

We are interested in Sunnydown, Slindon COllege and LVS Hassocks. Has anyone got any experience (good or bad) with these chills or could recommend any other schools?

Many thanks
Jay x

Someone told me Sunnydown was a bit chaotic since getting a new headteacher, but that was a couple of years ago. It might have settled down by now. Someone else moved their son from LVS Hassocks - he was happy but the Ofsted was very poor. DS is at St Dominic's in Hambleden and of course life is never totally plain sailing but generally he (and we) are very happy with it.

LVS Hassocks have had poor Ofsted and loads of teachers left and children. Reviews from parents not very positive. Not sure how easy it is to get funding for independent SEN school when the school is struggling.

Slindon doesn't really offer a lot GCSE wise so depends on what your DS could potentially achieve. They offer English and maths, a combined science but otherwise various options that "add up" (in theory) to GCSE equivelents. No languages, no geography (but do offer history) a good range of arts and practical Btec subjects are their alternative. Currently there is a wide range of needs at the school, some quite complex so I would be aware if your DS particularly high functioning. Classes small but some struggle quite a lot socially which can lead to conflicts which personally I don't feel the school supports that well. New Head arriving in September, so presumably some changes afoot. There are areas which are great (lack of homework, lack of pressure, small classes etc) view with open eyes and talk to parents if you can. Really depends on your DS. It suits our son and we are happy with it for the best part but not a totally smooth ride, but where is?!