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.

You are welcome. When I first checked them out I went without my son which meant I could suss out a number of options and only take him for taster days where I thought he might go. I think there is no substitute for visiting as only you know your child and it is so often about fit, happiness and whether they can spark the imagination and make your child want to learn.

You are welcome. When I first checked them out I went without my son which meant I could suss out a number of options and only take him for taster days where I thought he might go. I think there is no substitute for visiting as only you know your child and it is so often about fit, happiness and whether they can spark the imagination and make your child want to learn.

I am a former parent with ties to the school. Boarding probably has not improved. The old governors have now, finally, ticked over and there is a buzz that maybe the head (the source of many many many complaints) and deputy head are recently gone. It is probably a rescue situation now. If you are prospective, then keep a watch on things. Good luck.

Yes I have heard the same - finally the awful head and her deputy have both gone, shame it's taken so many complaints and ofsted visits. So many children have been let down by these two supposedly 'senior managers' . Another unannounced ofsted visit last month and another serious complaint led to their downfall. Hoorah the wicked witch has gone :-) hopefully the school can be saved from any more idiots chosen to run it by ill informed governors.

Can anyone update on the situation at this school. Website still shows same head? My son is at an all boys school with similar profile in also in sussex and tbh, reading the threads here mirrors what I'm experiencing safeguarding wise and the total contempt shown to parents who dare to question. I would like to move him but don't want a frying pan/fire situation. The classic lack of choice is keeping us where we are. Can anyone let me know if things have improved at Northease and its worth a thought?

Please can anyone give me recent opinions on Northease Manor school in East Sussex or others like it. Although we are in Sussex we would look at Surrey also. My 15year old son, has social phobias, high functioning autism, dyspraxia mental health difficulties and has refused school for 3 years now. He is under CAMS. We are so disappointed by the lack of help he receives. He attempted suicide just before Christmas and we have been given very little help.
He has just been given an EHCP at long last.
He will refuse going to any school because he is so fearful, but we have to make a change in his life for a better future. He is a very passive non aggressive boy who would hate to be with kids who have severe behaviour difficulties.
As parents we have to make it a careful transition into a school. He has no social interaction with his own age. He only interacts with others who he's met on line, who he calls his friends. A real worry for any parent.
If anyone can help a desperate Mum looking for suitable places to consider I would really appreciate any help. We are prepared to move!.

Have you looked at Philpotts Manor east grinstead? A friend has a boy there who had a bad schooling experience at a boys school with a similar profile to Northease in West Sussex as the emotional and social support wasn't there but hes now doing really well at philpotts - I don't know anything about northease it's self and I'm trying to find info about dyslexia support and was also wondering if things have improved there too?!

Thanks I will take a look at Philpotts Manor. I've been told to look at LVS
Hassocks in west Sussex if anyone has any experience of this school please let me know.
My 8 year old has just got his EHCP also so have to find a suitable special school for him. His primary needs are language processing and dyspraxia but he's also high functioning ASD. Surrey seems to have more choice than Sussex. Looking at More House & St.Dominic's. Yet again any advice please. Its hard going through this EHCP battle for both boys at the same time. Thanks again.

Well I do know someone else who moved her son to LVS. She was happy when we last spoke but that was a While ago now as we've lost touch. I gather that ofsted been less than kind but I take that with a pinch of salt as I know of other terrible places that have got off scot free.

Thank you I liked the look of LVS. I thought More house Surrey was impressive for Dyslexia and moderate needs. Don't think they accept those with more complex difficulties. Seemed that high IQ was very important to them!!.
Frewen college is also well regarded for Dyslexia my son had a taster day and loved its calm feel. Unfortunately they wouldn't take him, IQ not high enough!!. Good luck I'm sure you will find help soon.

Yes, there is a More House at Frensham, which is Dyslexia, waiting list for my son's year, but heard good things. My DS wasn't even allowed to view Moonhall when they saw the paperwork There is also a Moor House at Oxted in Surrey ( a bit confusing!) but the one in Oxted has a brilliant reputation for SALT/Processing etc.

We looked around Moor house oxted. Thought it seemed ideal sent paperwork but they said his needs were not high enough for peer group. I should have been relieved but I was so disappointed. I seemed perfect in my eyes but they know better. Its hard to know what to do because he is two years behind in his mainstream school. We really want a special school where he fits in with his peer group. We don't want him to be taken out of class everyday for extra help as he feels so different from the others in mainstream. Our older kids really suffered social phobias because of this. I'm waiting for panel today to decide if he can go to a special school. If they don't agree then we start to fight so many parents have to go through. What year is your DS in?.

Well, if that's the case he is more than able enough for the other More House. Have you viewed? I have a slightly different issue in that my son is very profoundly dyslexic but is struggling in his present school because socially the student needs are so diverse (communication issues, anger issues, autism, attachment disorders, PDA etc) it is a "specialist" school. He finds the noise and distractions etc difficult and he retaliates and gets blamed, the staff have little awareness on individual needs - vicious circle. I don't know the answer as they're is such little provision out there even with a reasonable budget, as we presently have a decent funding package.

We viewed More house and it was certainly very impressive. I'm severely dyslexic myself and would have loved a school like this.
Schools can do a good job at just looking the part but this one has great reviews from parents and children. So this is what's important.
I sent them our DS's paperwork so now on tenterhooks awaiting their feedback. Our Ds has some attachment disorders and communication
Issues. Have you looked at More house as it may be the right place for your DS. We found it very calm with less distractions than other schools. We are looking at St.Dominic's and Priory school Surrey for our other DS who has more social difficulties as well as ASD, optional defiance to name a few!. Its a nightmare for us parents and we don't want to get the placement wrong. Our authority panel are making the decision on special school for DS1 today!.

How did it go with panel? Hope you got a good result. West Sussex?
Yes you're spot on with places looking the part and having the slick sales pitch but under the glossy veneer doesn't quite live up. Have experience of that I had a good chat with more House but I haven't viewed because there's a waiting list. It's also at least 90mins from where we live on a clear run. I don't want to go down the boarding route even if we could get funding. Fingers crossed for you!!

Thanks for your support.
I'm really pleased that the panel have decided to forget about the deadlines for now in our case. This is because both our sons need a sen school. Our 15yr DS needs very special provision due to his mental health. So the pressure to name a school for 8 yr old is off for a while. The panel understand they need to consider area carefully for them both. We are going to move anywhere now in uk to get the right school's.
We live in East Sussex.
Have you looked at St.Dominic's in surrey or is that too far?. Are you in Surrey?. Frewen college is good but for Dyslexia but that's East Sussex. Trouble is with them they seemed to not like more complex needs as your DS and mine has!. Keep me posted its great to have online support. I really feel for you. Its such a struggle and its taken over my life.

The parents on here who have a child with Dyslexia, have you looked into the Fairley house school in Plimico ? I've heard good things.

For parents not sure where to send their child and wanting more information for a school, it is worth requesting the Headteacher's reports to the Governing body for at least the last year and perhaps longer if there's been a change of Head in that time. This is a public document which many schools make freely available on their website, if however you can not find it you can request it under a freedom of information request which must then be made available. This will provide you an idea of any issues which may not necessarily come to light on a visit or from reading the recent Ofsted reports.
Potential parents interested in independent schools such as Northease can go to www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
This is a free service and you will find statutory documents that must be filed including a School's accounts and details of the Governing Body amongst other things. The Governing Body provide the strategic direction of the school so it is worth knowing who you are dealing with and what their background and business interests are.
The extra research although a little time consuming should assist in deciding the best place for your child, good luck.

I'm I right in thinking that Northease Monor survived and the dreadful head and other SLT members were kicked out?

I'm not sure how its doing now. I think our authority will be considering it as the school for my DS. Its the nearest to us but I'm concerned as my DS has social anxiety and is very vulnerable. Has anyone got any updated info?. Really appreciate help.

Apologies 2014-15 Accounts

Correct link

beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/01078648/filing-history

My DC was one who suffered from a bad experience at Northease and we are still dealing with fallout 3+ years later. Believe dreadful head and SLT were finally removed last year and it is now in hands of new management including completely new board of governors.
Schools do change and I really hope this one does but during last regime many caring and committed and experienced staff left, parents who had options of placing their children elsewhere did so and as previous poster has pointed out there is apparently a financial deficit. would think there are some challenges for this school which will take time to resolve.
liAa809.. I feel for you. It is so difficult to find the right school that can and will provide the right support

Thanks for your post. I'm not going to risk it for my DS. I'm looking all over the Uk now as we are prepared to relocate to find a suitable placement. Do you or any other parents have suggestions?. I'm wondering if a Priory school is a good fit for him. He won't want to go anywhere as he's school refused for three years. Where did your DS go after Northease and is he doing well now?.