LVS Hassocks

LVS Hassocks is a multi-award-winning specialist school for boys and girls aged 11 to 19 with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. There are currently 65 students, with the girls to boys ratio of 25:75 - higher than the average. It aims to enable students to realise their full potential and become independent individuals who are confident and successful, leaving the school able to enjoy independent futures in jobs or further mainstream education. LVS Hassocks has an experienced team of teachers and teaching assistants who are passionate about providing a positive and nurturing learning environment for young people with a diagnosis of autism. A specialist curriculum is underpinned by three main areas for development - Learning, Growing and Achieving. With small class sizes averaging 8 pupils, and a teacher and LSA in every one, LVS Hassocks provides academic and personal learning opportunities. The school offers a range of GCSEs, BTECs and OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications, along with a host of work experience opportunities, all of which allow students to go on to mainstream colleges or work placements. LVS Hassocks even has its own dedicated café on site to allow students to gain work experience in a safe, reassuring environment. On-site speech & language therapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants support pupils on a daily basis and help them develop calming strategies suited to the individual to help deal with increased anxiety. An integrated approach includes therapists supporting teaching staff to ensure classrooms are autism friendly and the language requirements of the curriculum are differentiated for different pupil cohorts. Pupils learn a range of academic and vocational skills in a vibrant and stimulating environment. A tranquil and relaxing 36-acre campus hosts modern classrooms including a dedicated food technology lab, IT suite and creative art room. A MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) provides a safe, all-weather outside space for pupils to play basketball, football and other games, whist the Oast House and library are unique features of the school, providing space for music lessons, relaxation, meeting and celebrations. We are incredibly proud of our site and our estates team that work tirelessly to ensure we utilise the area to its full potential. We have installed rabbit and deer proof fencing, refurbished poly tunnels and built 6 large - raised beds. This year we have added a large classroom. We also have three chickens for the students to learn animal husbandry. The students have thoroughly enjoyed working in the grounds and produced lots of harvest that has been used in our school lunches. We are looking forward to developing this project further in 2022 with the potential of 2 more raised beds and solar power for the work shed.