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.

Unit in Brighton Downs park school. Hassocks only offer GCSE English rest was Cambridge something or another. Need to get this right primary say they can teach him then stop me everyday with different issues! He's getting really 'down' love him it's getting harder and harder to get him into school.

Ah, Hassocks is no good for my son then. I'm sorry your son is getting really down. My son refused to go into school in Year 4 because he was so anxious, but - with CBT and support at school and home - he struggled on till Year 6, then I had to take him out because he was so unhappy and anxious. So I do sympathise with you.

Will check Brighton Downs Park school, but I think we're in the wrong area (East Sussex).

Dontgother11 I think you have made YOUR OPINION of northease very clear. I strongly disagree with your opinion but I'm just trying to understand why you keep posting negative comments and quoting the OFSTED report !!!!!!
Is your child still attending northease ???
People can make there own minds up without your opinion which seems almost obsessive.
I read in one of your threads that you kept being approached by unhappy parents !!! I am a parent and I was approached by a friend of northease trying to drum up parents to complain !!!!!
I think it should be left to the school to correct any boxes that haven't been ticked and if you are really unhappy remove your child.
I presume your name ion here is dontgithere11 does that mean don'tgithere ???
Anyone thinking of looking at northease definitely go and have a look round and make your own mind up.
Ofsted is important to a degree but my son attended a mainstream school for 6 years that had a good ofsted report but they failed him in all aspects socially and academically .

I think the 'statement' is the key here and worth fighting for. It is a legal document and needs to be very specific to the child's needs and worth fighting for. When families have spent years going through this process they become experts in their child's needs. When they finally get a place at a school that promises to meet this 'statement' their first reaction is relief. It is then vey frustrating when they find out that this placement is unwilling or unable to meet those needs due to a lack of qualified teaching staff and therapists or a management decision not to provide basic technology. Small class sizes alone do not make up for a lack of resources and experienced and qualified staff.
Sadly the unsatisfactory Ofsted report is not just about ticking a few boxes. The staff turnover is fact. Northease Manor is a school of approximately 100 pupils. Four years ago nine Governors left. In the past three years ten members of the senior management team have left. This years senior management Peter Twilley, Steve O Connor, Elaine Meradith and Trisha Bacchus have all resigned without jobs to go to ( three only started last September). Last year Andy Millard, Paul Smith and Graham Beattie left. On top of the senior management an additional 21 teaching staff, 14 therapists, 12 admin staff, 6 residential, and 5 TA,s have left within five years.
The governing body, as the legal trustees, need to listen to these concerns and act quickly.
On the bigger picture I feel it is all the result of local government closing special schools for all but the most severely handicapped children, leaving very few options for our academically able but vulnerable children. There is a real need for publicly funded places for our children but handing public funds over to these private schools without any local authority governance is clearly open to abuse.

The last line of Hash1' post is one to ponder. It does seem looking at the situation at Northease that there is little in place in terms of checks and balances when things go very wrong. The 2011 Ofsted 'academic' report reveals that senior teachers and governors did try to alert inspectors to alleged problems - before they left! Local authorities seem to have done nothing despite allegedly having been contacted by people with misgivings - (except perhaps for one that I think may have asked for money to be repaid) Where is the voice of the unions? They have apparently been working actively within the school. where is hand of the charity commission?...the list could go on. Where is the voice of the present governing body in providing robust guidance - and governance - to the head in order to maintain a healthy scholastic community. Finally if people are treated badly within a community that behaviour can easily filter through its more vulnerable members...

What is so troubling here is the horrendous dilemma of parents; as Hash! has pointed out the urgency to protect one's child and provide a nourishing educational environment, the enormous battle and use of energy that is needed to achieve this, makes some parents less likely to criticize the placement. Some posts in fact seem to indicate that the management of the school may have had a somewhat dismissive attitude to parents rather than treating them as allies in making sure that their children flourish. As parents we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball; and that doesn't mean that we become a 'bitching club' to use mystory I's quotation!

My son doesn't attend northease. He attends a very similar independent school. Like many others we fought hard to get him there, thinking it would be the answer. He comes home with bruises, he's emotionally and verbally tormented. He spent the whole of Friday afternoon hiding in the school grounds too scared to return having been punched and kicked. He is EIGHT years old! I have emailed, phoned literally begged the school to wake up and take notice. It keeps happening and he's not alone. He is not there for behaviour issues but language processing/literacy difficulties, but there are a lot of kids there who are there for social/behaviour problems who IMO are not properly supported for their needs, or possibly the lack of other schools mean they shouldn't be at this school in the first place. if there was a choice would send my son somewhere else and believe me, his details have been sent county wide. I don't agree with people who have said "if they don't like it leave". Sometimes it's just not that easy. Feel totally trapped and completely let down. Is it too much to send your vulnerable child to a school which is "specialist" and expect him to be safe? Just a simple duty of care?. It seems to be a universal issue, not just a northease one due to the lack of local authority provision in specific areas of SEN.

Sadly, Northease Manor School is an unpleasant place to work. There is a culture of bullying and intimidation towards staff. One of the reasons why so many staff have left quietly rather than cause trouble is that we all know how valuable a school like Northease is. We know how much parents value the school and we have seen how well children can succeed when taught by specialist staff, looked after in a caring environment and guided with strong pastoral care. Sad, though it is for the staff who have been forced out, the story is really the children - they are who matter.

The action required is obvious. Replace the Head and Chair of Governors. When they have been replaced, rebuild the school and allow it to flourish once more. Carmen Harvey Brown and Dave Boys, please consider the damage you have wreaked on Northease and do the right thing.

BigBird69, I am so sorry to hear your experience. A few hard lessons I have learned is listen to your child, never fully trust that an institution will do what is best, and be persistent using all available channels to seek change. Put it in writing and follow all the procedures. It may not help you, but it will help those who follow.

A key issue is that various authorities do not give parents and and especially language impaired or otherwise special needs children much credibility. They are biased in favor of the school. And English "defamation" law makes it hard to give full public criticism -also locking in some of the problems. Just look at the Northease posts. If people said what they really experienced, I suspect it would be truly shocking.

Some had an even rougher time elsewhere and have nowhere else to go. They are afraid of making a fuss. It is not like there are lots of specialist schools around the corner and that local authorities accept paying easily. Also, the children often cannot communicate. Vulnerable parents of the vulnerable.

I do think the Independent Schools Association and Education Authority have a lot to answer for as do others. Ofsted, of course, with inconsistent inspectors, who no one acts without, but are not very accountable somehow. There are so many things all of these different groups say they are not accountable for. In their minds they have far less ownership than you might think. Also, the bar for getting into a special school is getting higher and new entrants can have very challenging needs that schools cannot cope with. Local authorities who turn a blind eye on what is happening to save costs vs. more suitable schools can be enablers as well.

There are some good specialist schools ones I know, but it is not a given. Good luck.

'Magman' - what a compassionate balanced and wise response. I was especially struck by your reference to 'English defamation law'; you say it 'makes it hard to give full public criticism - also locking in some of the problems. Just look at the Northease posts. If people said what they really experienced, I suspect it would be truly shocking.'

Your observation that I have quoted here could make - coupled with fear, bullying and vulnerability - for a silent compliant community where the only way out as 'Ambda' had suggested is to 'leave quietly'.

I also endorse your point about fragmented responsibility of official organizations; 'in their minds they have far less responsibility than you might think' - this creates lots of wriggle room and can make it really difficult for a parent to know where to go for official help.

what is the exact role of the Charity Commission given that I believe Northease may be administered as a charitable trust, for example?

Altogether Magman's post creates a disquieting general picture where once again the vulnerable and powerless in our society can be put at risk. And no one, except those immediately involved seems to care.

Hi, I stumbled on this thread while googling Northease Manor. My daughter went there until finishing in 2012 after Year 11. At first, as is probably always the case we were generally pleased with how things were going. My daughter is dyslexic and had real problems with academic work. We choose the school because of the specialist teaching she would receive. Firstly, I must say she was happy there and loved the school, which was mainly the reason we kept her there. However, within a very short time of the new Head arriving, things went downhill rapidly. Firstly, her science teacher and form teacher, who was excellent, left (and if I am correct she left without a job to go it). What followed seemed to an exodus of teachers and administrative staff, and as far as I could make out there were being replaced by teachers without any specialist special needs qualifications. Her maths teaching for instance seemed to involve sheets of paper she needed to fill in. If I look at the staff list from 2010 and now it shows there are hardly any of the original staff still at the school. It was hard to figure out what was happening. Homework was a complete waste of time. Her housemistress, Mrs Midgely, also left and was replaced by a ex pupil of the school. While lovely, she was young and inexperienced. It is all very well when people ask you why did you not remove her, but you must remember that it is a hard fight to get an LEA placement at these school and we felt that any complaint on our part could mean that we might lose her place and we would be back to square one again. It is interesting how someone earlier mentioned therapy, or the lack of it. My daughter's statement included an hour of OT and SALT weekly, along with many other things that got completely overlooked. For the best part of a year she got absolutely no SALT. Whenever I questioned it there was always some excuse. I didn't regularly go to Northease Manor school, but when I did and met with other parents, i can honestly say, I didn't know of any who were happy with the school. We were all looking forward to them leaving. The potential for the school is certainly there and I do hope for the sake of the students that it can be turned around. I applaud the lady who spoke out. The school would not be in such a mess if there were more like her.

Hi reader108 I felt I had to write. When I read your post it sounded so similar to ours sons position. He is currently in mainstream school in year five. We have recently paid for a lengthy assessment and it has come to Light that he will find it very difficult in mainstream because of the large classes and sensory issues. It also pointed out he needs to learn how to learn. He is above average in his reading and literacy but has significant difficulties with maths. Our main concern is the lack of choice of schools for him. frewen have turned him down. The government special schools are quite low level for his academic abilities. We are seriously thinking about home-schooling. We have thought about hassocks but I think a little to far for him to travel. I wish you well with it all.

NEED HELP Hassocks having said yes have today said no room for September. Things may change in September however they can't say for sure! I need him out of mainstream ASAP. Anyone know of anywhere else? Don't think home-schooling is an option he needs social interaction really can't cope with much more!

Sorry, reader, I wish I could help, but I'm in the same position, not knowing where my DS could go. This is probably not what you want to hear, but - could you home educate him whilst you wait for a place to come up at LVS Hassocks or somewhere else? It might be good for him to have some time away from the pressure of school. You could look up local home ed groups on Yahoo to see what's going on. There are often plenty of opportunities for social interaction whilst home educating. My elder son was an exception because of his anxiety issues.

Hi reader108 it might be worth looking at headstart school in ninfield East Sussex. Our child has been diagnosed with aspergers and possible ADD. We liked the environment of the school and the fact it could offer my son the curriculum as he is above average in literacy and could help him with his possible discalculia.good luck with it

Many Thanks. I'll take a look. Had a planning meeting today to explain why he didn't get a statement. Ds has the same reading level 2B as he had end of year 1. So in two years he has not progressed at tall! Yet they say they can teach him? I can't understand how anyone can say that he is receiving an education

Marcus brown school governor for three years resigned last Monday he said he volunteered although what's nothing to do with education his role was to build ties between the school and community and pastoral care neither of which he has done since his time there.
So why one must ask if he had nothing to do with the school
days he sat in the role of governor for so long bailing out when the pervevial has hit the fan?? Refusing to speak out for the children who are so desperately hoping this school will meet their needs yet failing them so badly?
One teacher went to a vicar not even connected to the school saying he should speak out in defence of the school!!
Yet did not ask the governor vicar marcus brown to???
How sad when lies are so blatantly told by people who should be setting an example.
How much longer will it be before those in authority actually do their job and set this failing school on the right road with a head who is honest and true to the children and a board of governors who can work with them and the parents in an honest and open way.

The children cannot speak up for themselves surely those in positions of power should now grab the chalice and step in?

Chazboy you wouldn't be the of northease manor governors by any chance?
Who incidently does not have a son at the school nor has done for some years?
In fact all the governors have no child there.
Being asked how the parent forum went was strange as none of the parents were aware of its existence.
A parent forum is an open area where parents can voice their views not a chosen few parents whom the head deems fit where parents write in to them for them to consider their views!!

This is 2014 not 1420.

So - I've just re read Chazboy's threads. He says 'it should be left to the school to correct any boxes that haven't been ticked'; this comment leaves me breathless. The recent inadequate Offsted report and the anguish written in these messages here on mumsnet surely signals that something more than ticking boxes was required. It's that attitude that caused the alleged decline of the school in the first place! So I suppose I can at least see where Angela93's identity surmise is coming from. if indeed Chazboy's son did leave some years ago he has certainly then been lucky to miss the constant churn of 'brilliant therapists and teachers' since the appointment of the present head and her merry band of governors.

I have wondered how Marcus Brown could sit comfortably in this situation as a man of the cloth. Perhaps he had no idea of what was allegedly happening in the school. But that is no excuse. The hurt and sadness that some people seem to have received at the hands of the governors and head does not rest easily with a Christian perspective - 'suffer the little children to come unto me'.

I'm not sure what 'forum' Angela93 is referring to -obviously not this one?

Interesting that Marcus Brown has now chosen to resign, particularly when there is a lot of media interest in the school? I am assuming he is not on the mumsnet thread so has no opportunity to 'defend himself' , however he was aware of the many situations that have occurred at Northease Manor, including the continual bullying, mis management and lack of pastoral care for these students, as parents have visited him to inform him of these situations, and yet still nothing was done? Well said oldtimer3

Northease manor head said a parent forum would be set up fr parent to discuss any concerns they might have.

This sounded very much like progress and would enable parents to gain support from each other and aid in exploring ways more support by way of various technologies therapies and approaches could be swapped enabling not only the parents but also the school to forge a working relationship with parents where each could sing from the one hymn sheet giving a more rounded and individual approach that could be complemented at home.

Currently it is a closed shop where parents are lied to and treated like idiots yet sit when they can bear to listening yet knowing that measures being brought into place at some future day will end in a black hole.

When I approached marcus brown he asked me how the forum had gone at the school the previous evening? I said I knew nothing about this further discussion through the school has revealed northease manor has produced a parent forum a chose elite are to represent parents who must send in any concerns and the chosen will decide if they feel it worthy of comment or whether along with letter to the governors and the head it should be aimed at the rather large bin or delete file.

I shall say many parents have pointed out a forum is described as an open space where people can express their views in an open way not send to a school address to parents none of whom we know in an email.

There is a void that is very deep and very silent where currently parents are very worried and in fear of their children's futures.

There is no one in authority willing to take the bull by the horns and tackle this situation.

Reading through the posts it is evident that many parents are in the same position and these children are the ones who are suffering not only at school but at home as stressed parents attempt to deal a situation that led them to what they thought was sanctuary, to find even the vicar has abandoned ship.

We live each day hoping help will arrive and pray it will be before a serious incident occurs

Less than a year ago actually. The space between the last Outstanding and the current inadequate was 10 months

I met Andy Millard when my son went for a taster to the school last year. Andy was an excellent, thorough and dedicated teacher. I am shocked to see the staff turnover at Northease and the chaos that seems to be enveloping them. Say what you like about the Maintained Schools, but if the management fails in terms of Ofsted, the Headteacher invariably resigns along with the Head of Governors. This mess cannot be without some foundation and the senior management and governors must be accountable.

So please tell us why so many staff and governors have resigned. Andy Millard has gone? So many good staff have quit - why? It is really worrying. The school may be good. Certainly my son went there for a taster day and he loved it, but that doesn't spell 'good school' necessarily, does it? There seems to be a credible suspicion that things are not right at the school, so what is happening. Why the high staff turnover and why the dissatisfaction?

Henrypage - the answer to your question is very simple. The Headteacher and the Chair of Governors are the reason. Between them, they drive every decent member of staff away. Northease is now a specialist school without any specialist teachers.

Why do they do it is another question? Perhaps, it is because highly trained specialist teachers can see exactly what they are doing and ask too many questions. Too many questions lead to no job!!