Northease Manor School

[Lozzie12]

I am looking for a secondary school for my DS with HF ASD, he is currently in mainstream primary with a 1:1 TA but we have been advised he won't manage secondary. His main problems are anxieties and SpLd. I am going to look at Northease Manor School, does anyone have any knowledge / experience of this, many thanks.

Like many other parents we had to fight to get our son (Dyslexia, Aspie) out of mainstream and into a special needs school. It came at a considerable emotional and financial cost to the whole family. Our son chose Northease Manor School and made immediate progress. He gained social skills, he started to eating new foods (previously he was restricted and moving towards anorexia) and he received trauma counselling to ameliorate the unkind and abusive treatment had had received from the staff at his previous primary school (ie his primary school teachers said there was no such thing as dyslexia and he had been punished for messy or slow writing by humiliation and losing playtimes etc). For us Northease Manor was life changing. However within a few years, it became apparent Northease were broadening their pupil admission criteria and experiencing a high turn over of staff. When Andy Millard (Deputy Head) left Northease we took that as a clear sign to go. Andy had been excellent, he organised the school, was innovative and had a notable compassionate for pupils, parents and staff.

There are so few schools available for children who need to leave mainstream – nobody would want to see such a rare commodity fail. There is no reason that a school like Northease could not broaden its pupil admittance criteria to include pupils with high OT, Speech and Language, Clinical and academic needs, but this would be best done with an appropriate level of experienced staff (and hopefully continuity of staff).

This is our personal experience at Northease. We want to thank Northease for what they achieved for our son and our family. We very much hope that the Governers have the ability bring the school back to its previous very high standards.

Hello again
Sorry I've been away from the discussion for a while, I've got a few health issues which can debilitate me for a while.
It was really interesting reading the recent comments. I must say I'm really glad that the discussion is now more mature rather than the negative stuff that was going on before. You all know I have my precious girl at the school in year 7.

What I'm picking up from the discussion is that the root to this whole problem is the current Head. Am I wrong?
I don't know what to say about her and I can't defend her because she has made no effort to reply to my emails. When I've seen her around the school grounds she doesn't smile or acknowledge me. Very cold and distant is the impression I get. But that's my personal view. As long as she can run the school, that's all I care about. The head of the governors, David Boys replied and said that both he and Harvey Brown would be putting out a statement that week. They did the following week after the BBC article.
It's difficult for me to decide how I feel about this whole debacle.
1.My daughter is in a school where she is happy , confident and making friends.

1. The school lacks IT with appropriate software for children with SpLD, autism and Aspergers.
2. We are paying £20+k a year for the school with help from my in laws. So it is a family investment for 4 years
3. It bothers me that the Head has treated parents concerns with so much disregard.
4. Would love my daughter to have gone to Seaford College. My attitude is if you are going to pay big money , we want as much as we can get. But my daughter retreated into herself on the trial day and they politely said she wasn't suitable at that time. (No, in other words) + I don't want to disrupt her now.
5. If we could get her statemented by East Sussex and Northease named as the preferred school then I would be happier.
6. But it comes down to our DD. She is really happy. She has great friends. If that changes then we will have to review the situation at Northease
7. Pray that Northease Head and Governors have had a proper wake up call and respond quickly and comprehensively to all the concerns that have been raised. I don't think they will receive the same amount of support if this happens again.

Right off for a cup of tea.

Bloody hell Mystory1. I just went back a page and read your comments. Grief. I can't believe what you've been through.
You have been extremely patient and tolerant.
This all about the Head. She is the problem.
As parents with our kids at the school what do we do?
What your daughter went through is what my daughter went through at a previous school by supposedly bright and intelligent children.
If Northease are taking on more children with disruptive behavioural traits then they need more specialist staff so the other children are not affected. If my daughter came home with her clothes covered in faeces and urine, I would have totally lost it, I'm ashamed to say.
What can I do to support you ?
I feel absolutely useless because I'm one of those parents that drops DD off and immediately rushes off to work then rushes to pick DD up on time and rushes home. I don't stay and talk to anyone. (Hangs head in shame). I'll make more of an effort after half term.

imeverywoman, like many parents you have a dreadful dilemma about your child's happiness and development. You say 'this is all about the Head. She is the problem.' Many people here appear to agree. But leadership necessarily needs its checks and balances, it needs to be reined in and monitored in order to avoid the kind of situation that Northease now appears to find itself in. What has been the role of the new Board of Governors in terms of the running of the school?(Interesting that the school now calls them by a new name.)

There was an extraordinary turnover of governors in the school's recent history. Perhaps there is a story to be told about this unusual happening. Have the new set of governors been fulfilling the their needed overseeing and watchful role? The Offsted Report certainly seems to be saying that they missed a trick or two. A failure in the monitoring, modifying supervision of power within a school could well occur if the usual relationship between governors and head had become opaque.

Having followed this thread with great interest, the following questions still remain answered -
What role does the head play in the school as it appears to be always one of 'mopping up' incident after incident.
2 very serious safeguarding incidences have been reported to ofsted which is why the emergency inspection was carried out - we know that every area was found inadequate. Now a plan has been put into place to improve these areas, how was it allowed to get into this situation if the head was competent , monitored and supported by a professional board of governors?
Time after time we are reading, a child has been removed due to lack of support, bullying, insufficient therapy and IT within the school.
I am aware of many incidences that have been reported to local education authority's, including East Sussex, who in my mind have buried their head in the sand as it's a 'cheaper education option' for statemented pupils.
In recent letters to current parents, the head states there is an average staff turnover, I think the figures may have been airbrushed! In the past year, 3 Heads of Boarding?? Therapy turnover is very high, and the whole SMT has changed, 3 Bursars in 4 years?
There is talk of new Board of Governors, the current governors listed on the website, apart from 2, have all been Governors for at least 5 years? There are others who have come and gone (quite quickly) when they have tried to offer support or change and it has not been well received.
It is only the Local Education Authority's, parents and Ofsted who can demand a different leadership, let's hope this time it happens.

This thread makes for both interesting and worrying reading. It's nice to see so many honest and open comments - thanks to all of you who have. Seeing your child's school on the BBC news (in a negative way) isn't what any parent wants to see, and in my mind there's no smoke without fire.

Clearly there is a serious issue with the school here, although I appreciate we all have different experiences, and some kids are happy and making progress - and that's great. For that reason alone, I think it's vital that whatever happens next and over the next few months, results in the school staying open (God forbid we have another Standbridge Earls) and making whatever changes it needs to turn this situation around. Whether that can happen with the current head and management team in place is another question.

All I have I my own personal experience, which is not terribly positive at present.. My son is currently at Northease. He's not especially unhappy, but I wouldn't say he's loving every minute either, and I'm not entirely sure he's making a great deal of academic progress. He's been there for 18 months and it's had it's ups and downs. One of the '2 serious safeguarding incidents' refers to him and another boarder who behaved inappropriately towards him. He sensibly reported it and I believe the boy was asked to leave the school immediately. However I've not had any form of official communication and I don't know for sure what was done. I have now asked the Head for further details and surprise surprise not had a reply yet. (I'm still waiting for a reply to an email I sent to her and the Governors back in July 2013 - so I'm not holding my breath).

The Boarding issues and the Ofsted report aside, my concerns are mainly about the incredible high turnover of staff, senior management, directors and boarding staff and also the lack of SpLD qualified staff. The Head can present (fabricate) her figures in any way she likes, but I calculated that from the 2012 staff list which had 51 members of staff, 26 are no longer there. They can come up with any reasons they like, but that cannot be a good sign on any level and must be way above 'National average' for any school, let alone a small one like Northease. In a school of pupils with ASD (my son included) they need continuity and stability. 50% turnover in 2 years, doesn't provide that. My fear now, is that even more will leave and they'll lose the good (and qualified - of which btw there are only 3) ones. It can't be easy to recruit SpLD trained teachers, so all the more reason to do everything in their power to retain them and make sure they're happy, supported and enjoying their jobs. And don't get me started on the homework situation or the lack of IT provision or appropriate software.

As for the Ofsted, I'd argue that the one rating the school 'outstanding' back in July 2013, probably didn't dig deeply enough and just ticked some boxes, the latest one has obviously looked for problems and possibly dug too deep. In a way though it doesn't matter. There are issues here - both on the boarding and educational side - that need to be addressed and this whole situation has the potential to spiral. John Friel makes some interesting points in his review of Standbridge Earls,

independentexec.co.uk/2013/08/the-closure-of-stanbridge-earls-school-was-a-completely-avoidable-disaster/

and how that whole situation could have been avoided. I'm wondering if the Head and her senior management team need to fall on their swords.. or at the very least get a good PR team in!!. I've pulled my son out of boarding and written a long email of my current concerns, but not had a reply or any reassurance (apart from the general letter to parents which didn't provide that). I agree with Dontgothere11 - how did things get to this point? She says in her letter to the parents that it's important to realise that the current boarding provision isn't what it was 3 months ago when the inspection was carried out and things have changed'. So that's ok then?!? I'd like to know why it wasn't ok 3 months ago and why it took an Ofsted inspection and subsequent developments to enforce the changes. Would it still be the same if Ofsted hadn't come in?!?

Like imeverywoman, I also work full time and my son gets transport to school. I'm rarely there and for that I do feel bad. However, with his previous school, I was exhausted with being in and out of the school, having to keep on top of every move he made, following up medication issues and having him in part time schooling, that when he started at Northease I breathed a huge sigh of relief and handed him over to the experts. Hmm...

Yes he's happy (ish) and has made some friends, but he's certainly not making the academic progress we expected (or were promised) and lately things have been going downhill, with him walking out of lessons (very unlike him). I said only a few weeks ago.. 'lets just get him through the next year and then we can pick up the pieces afterwards'. That's not what we spent 2 years fighting for to get his statement and into Northease. Really sad times.

This thread is really sad and worrying. I'm going through the statement assessment with my son (ASD) at the moment and had considered Northease, but I can't hand him over to the school when it's in such disarray. My son is very vulnerable, extremely anxious (rarely leaves the house) and his confidence is at an all-time low, so I need to be sure that I'm handing him over to people who will really care for him.

I feel so sorry for those of you who've been through the stressful and upsetting process of raising a child with special needs, fighting for a statement or trying to raise the money for education alone and thinking this school is the answer to all your problems - and now this. It's dreadful.

eatcake - I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience of the school and that your son is struggling there. It's understandable that you trusted them to care for your son, so that you could finally get on with working. Don't feel bad about that.

Incidentally, I also failed to get a reply to an email I sent to the head a few weeks ago. I realise she has been under a lot of pressure recently, but it does sound as if she makes a bit of a habit of not replying to emails.

My concern is: where else is there in Sussex for children who don't fit in to mainstream? There's not a lot of choice.

toffee whirl you will find lots of parents who are happy with the school, so I'd urge you to make your own informed decision after visiting and listening to a wide range of parents and seeing the kids. Don't get me wrong, there are some very caring staff there.

I'm just presenting my own experience. Whilst there are many issues we are concerned about, my son is better than he was at his previous school (although that's not saying much and I wouldn't go as far as to say he's thriving or making significant progress) and you could argue that it's better than the other alternatives available, of which there are very few.

But there are still a lot of issues that need addressing at Northease and things are coming out of the woodwork. I just hope that the management team and Head can turn this around as the school could have a lot to offer. Assume you've looked at Frewen? Good luck with the statement assessment process... it's not a pleasant time. Hang in there.

Thanks, eatcake. I'll continue to look into it. I would be delighted if the current situation was sorted and I felt confident to send DS1 there.

I haven't looked at Frewen (wasn't sure if it covered ASD). Perhaps that should be my next port of call?

Yes Frewen do cover ASD.. I have a friend with a daughter there doing really well. Definitely worth a look. Not sure where exactly you live and how old your son is, but Heathfield Community College (Mainstream and big comprehensive) have an Autism Unit within the school. I know another friend there who has an ASD son who's doing great there. I looked at 12 schools before we settled on Northease and at one stage we were considering moving house. There'll always be a compromise and you'll never find the perfect school, just find the one that's as close to meeting needs and where your son seems happiest. Good luck

Can I just say for all concerned and worried about 'another Stanbridge Earls', this is nothing like Stanbridge Earls. Stanbridge Earls was played out in the media and implied there was a peadophile element involved. There wasn't, it was simply adults who had no idea what need the children at the school had, how to deal with those differing needs, and no idea how to discipline inappropriate behaviour.

Northease is completely different. Look at the high staff turnover; the teachers, parents and governors speaking out (yes, I know not all are); LA visiting etc. none of this happened at Stanbridge. Not one staff member or governor spoke out like you have here at Northease. With the help of Ofsted and the DfE (using their understanding gained from Stanbridge) things can be worked on and put right.

Do not label this as another Stanbridge. Stanbridge Earls thought it was untouchable with an undercurrent of arrogance that most staff shared and thought they were above everyone else to the detriment of the child.

Northease need to remove the Head and some Governors, bring in a new strong Head with a proven track record for change and start rebuilding, whilst bringing in some parent governors.

I wish you all good luck.

Imreadyforyou thanks for your input.. I know very little about SE apart from what I've read in the media. I didn't mean to label the Northease situation as another Stanbridge or blow it out of context, I'm just concerned that there are similar issues. Ofsted 'Outstanding' to 'Inadequate' in 8 months, safeguarding issues, a couple of 'serious' incidents, and Head and Governors who don't seem to be responding quickly or appropriately enough.

I totally agree with you about the Head and Governors.. but I fear that won't happen, and more to the point, who will enforce it?? Currently it feels that there isn't any reassurance, communication or that parents can trust what they're saying. If things don't change rapidly, then it will deteriorate. thanks for your wishes of good luck! I suspect we'll need it.

Eatcake, I know your not labelling. I understand and hear your concerns and I do fear the same as you & that will inevitably close a school in time. I fear DfE & Ofsted may not force the hands of the remaining good governors...if indeed there are any left?! Maybe worth contacting the Charity Commisioner as the school is a registered charity and they can instruct governors. I think you may get better help that way. Be warned though, they aren't the quickest.

Just a helpful suggestion. We can't let all these special schools close. No one knows our children's disabilities like us the parents. We should be working close with the schools. This in part is lost in Independent Schools as a whole.

I am reading all these comments and feeling very confused this dosnt sound anything like the school my son attends.

My son has been a day pupil at northease for just over 2 years.
He is very happy and has made an amazing amount of social and educational progress.

I do question why the many negative threads on here are from parents whose children still attend northease. I would imagine if they really thought it was that bad they would place their children elsewhere.

The head of northease has always been very helpful and supportive of me and my son she is very empathetic and understands the children.

A lot of the children at northease have had very traumatic times in their previous placements and due to anger and frustration they can sometimes be aggressive but this is dealt with appropriately by the school. This is a special school where children need special care which I strongly believe they do.

I just wish that before these parents started their witch hunt they actually thought about the concequences this could have on the whole school and all the pupils that are very HAPPY at northease

Chazboy, do you not think EVERYBODY has a right to be happy, safe & secure in their education? Not all children are vocal ALL of the time. Some will be (because of the nature of their disability or due to past experience) be very quiet and submissive, some may even just be people pleasers, do those children not deserve to be educated in a manner in which they feel safe? That is what others are complaining about.

I would remove my child and I have done, others might not have that luxury.

It is as easy as you may think for other. Places are limited for girls, LA's might not allow others to remove as they don't see a problem or the alternative may be to costly...

Why is it so hard to understand that what suits one child may not be good for another?

This is a general comment but directed at you purely because you seem to think there is a witch hunt. It's not, just another view different to yours.

Yes I do believe every child should be safe and happy. All the and children I know at Northease are happy and safe. If I had concerns about the safety at Northease my son would not be there. The other parents I have contact with are also very happy with Northease.
My child has complex needs and I understand that a lot of the children have different needs which I think Northease addresses brilliantly.
If I have ever needed to contact the head she has
always got back to me.
The teachers and therapists are brilliant and my son would not be where he is now educationally and socially without them.
We obviously have both had very different experiences of Northease. Mine has definately been a very positive experience.

I don't think there is a witch hunt at Northease Manor School; some pupils and their parents will always flourish under the seeming lack of objective leadership that appears to prevail at Northease. I have heard that apparently some pupils were very aware of who, amongst their peers seemed to be favored within the school.

This alleged pattern of partiality could well explain too the alarming turn over of teaching staff, therapists, bureaucrats, and governors that I mentioned in an earlier post. A healthy school needs the checks and balance of a community that feels able to challenge ideas - and to contribute a positive dissenting voice at times.

I think that the anxiety reflected in many of the posts shows a strong wish for the school to succeed in the future; however some contributors seem to think this unlikely under the current leadership.

My son is one of the 'others' that many appear to think should not be here. He has a physical disability AND profound dyslexia. This school have nurtured, cared for, and supported him and us above and beyond anything we could have hoped for. He has had his young life turned around by Northease. The Head has always acknowledged us, him and replied to any communication. We have seen special education from 'the other side' - two years of discrimination in Mainstream, with a full Statement and a LA who couldn't care less.
The picture painted here is not the school we know, we trust the Head,and the wonderful staff who understand the very specialised needs of these children.
If a parent is so unhappy they should find another school, and have the courage of their convictions, how can they have any self respect after slating a school and yet still send their child there.
I hope this school can ride out this storm and continue to do what they do so well - educate and care for Special Needs children and see them flourish.

I'm so confused now. It's like hearing descriptions of two completely different schools.

My advice is go - go there, make up your own mind - see the children. You cannot 'make' children happy just for an Open Day, but you will see genuinely happy, thriving children at this school. I come in at all hours through the week, I see children laughing, chatting and being spoken with - not 'at'. I see children who have educational, medical and physical needs being cared for and supported in a way that makes me feel humbled that my son is also able to access this level of commitment.

I do not see the negative which is mentioned above, I have read the letter from the Head which states on record how the Inspection was not carried out correctly.
I am not a parent who will be 'won over' by flashy marketing or 'bums on seats' - we were shown this at maintained special schools, who were awful with sad, and unhappy children greeting us.

Do ask yourself if these parents are so unhappy why in Gods name are they still sending their children there?

My son is the happiest he has ever been at Northease, he has confidence and a sense of self back again. I owe them more than any money can pay, because its not just about the great education he receives, its the care and love of his teachers and 1-1 which is paramount to his quality of life.

I urge any parent who has been put off by any of the above to just go, we all have our own minds and opinions and I for one trust my own above all others!

My boy needs and deserves a 'proper' education. He is presently in mainstream primary he receives school action plus 2 hours a week! He is falling behind his peers academically, yet according to an educational psychologist has average or above intelligence! He has a diagnose of Aspergers consultants have mentioned ADHD in my hearing as well. He's a great active boy who needs to learn how to learn. We have been refused a statement planning meeting next week! He has been turned down by Frewen on reading his reports we have been accepted by LVS at Hassocks but feel as a school it's isolated vocational. Have looked at Slindon but felt isolated and 'problem' children there. Next look was here having read ALL this now very unsure!

My advice is, if not sure after reading first hand experience reports and the opinion of ofsted inspectors - don't go there, keep looking elsewhere

The latest 'inadequate' Ofsted report can be viewed either on the official Ofsted website or on the Northease Manor School website under 'resources'.

Many Thanks have read all he wouldn't board anyway which seems to be a fair amount of stuff out the way. Found a unit in Brighton looks cool but he needs a statement to get in there. Going to look again at Hassocks chat more to teaching staff. May attend next open day at Northease, but think he's too young in year 3 8 years old. Really need him out by Sept may look at home schooling but he needs social input it's ALL SO difficult.

anameescapes - thanks for your more positive view. I don't think I can give up on Northease as an option for my son because it seems to be the most suitable for his needs in our area. He can't cope with travel, so I don't see how he'd get to Slindon or Frewen. I just hope that the school will work out its difficulties before long.

What is the unit you found in Brighton, reader? Incidentally, I have home educated DS1 (the one we hope will go to Northease) on and off for a few years and am now home educating my younger son too. However, I found that, because of DS1's anxiety, he wouldn't engage with other home-educated children, so he became isolated. Am hoping he'll learn to mix again at a supportive school.

LVS Hassocks doesn't seem to offer the option to do many GCSEs - I think they just offer Maths and English. My DS1 needs more options than that.