Introduction to Brantridge School

The School and it's location

Brantridge is a residential special school, catering for boys assessed with Social Communication Difficulties (SCD) or Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD), including those children on the Autistic Spectrum (ASC), those with Asperger’s Syndrome, those with a diagnosis of ADHD and associated learning difficulties. Most pupils have also exhibited challenging behaviour in their previous schools.
Brantridge has an established reputation for helping the under-achieving and unhappy pupil, and for providing good value for money.
The school occupies an impressive set of buildings, built in the English Country House tradition, set in the Sussex Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty, between the towns of Crawley and Haywards Heath. Brighton and the Sussex Downs are close by. Brantridge is well placed to draw upon a wide range of leisure, recreational and educational facilities, which are either local or within easy travelling distance between the Sussex Coast and London.

Our provision in brief

• Weekly boarding residential placements
• Day boarding placements
• Age phase (7-13 yrs)
• Integrated therapeutic support and services- psychotherapy, counselling, family support, medical support, speech and language therapy
• Full National Curriculum entitlement
• 24 hour curriculum- personal and social development
• Statement of SEN assessment placements

Statement of purpose - our aims and ethos

The main aim of the school is to help each pupil fulfil his potential in the hope that he can return to either a day special or mainstream school. The objectives in fulfilling this aim relate to the individual needs of the pupil and are met within an educational and caring framework.
The school seeks to promote high personal standards of work and behaviour. Emphasis is placed on improving each pupil’s self-esteem, self-image and level of confidence.
The staff work hard to provide a stimulating and structured learning environment in order to achieve high standards. Nevertheless, due recognition is given to the individual personality, development and experiences of the child, in order that expectations are realistic and achievable.
The school places a high value on the importance of working closely with the family, referring authority and other agencies, to ensure that each pupil develops his true potential.
The school’s ethos incorporates principles of structure, continuity and security within which the pupil will be able to maximise his personal, social and educational development.
We recognise the importance of motivating the individual to value academic success and to feel positive about relationships. To this end the school uses an inclusive approach with an emphasis on educational strategies as well as supportive therapies. The school draws upon psychological, psychodynamic and behaviourist models in order to provide a stable framework within which personal growth is achieved.
The main philosophy is based on an understanding of humanistic approaches to psychology, with an emphasis on improving self-esteem.

Equality and Diversity

At Brantridge School we value our multi cultural community and celebrate our diversity, creating opportunities for all to contribute, participate and grow. We are committed to ensuring that:
• We treat individuals fairly, with dignity and respect.
• Opportunities are open to all
• We provide a safe, supportive, inclusive and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
Our key priorities are:
• To actively promote and maintain a positive school ethos and image that represents our values and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• To ensure that all pupils, staff and visitors are aware of and comply with our equality and diversity policy.
• To provide an accessible physical environment, that meets the needs of our pupils, staff and visitors (please see accessibility plan).
• To provide a supportive, non- threatening yet challenging learning environment across the 24hr curriculum.
• To ensure that the curriculum, activity base and adult learning programmes are representative of our commitment to equality and diversity (please see Equality and Diversity checklists for; adult learning and teaching and learning in the 24hr curriculum).
• Provide extended services which meet the needs of our pupils and their families (Family Support and Inclusion, Therapeutic Services).
• To ensure accurate and effective monitoring of Equality and Diversity at all levels of reporting and policy.

Safeguarding

At Brantridge School we are committed to safeguarding children. We have an important part to play in the delivery and communication of services for children. Section 11of the children’s Act 2004 created a statutory duty to ensure that we safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This duty informs all our structures, routines and processes.
Every Child Matters
Our school places the five outcomes of Every Child Matters at the heart of the work we do:
• Be Healthy
• Stay Safe
• Enjoy and Achieve
• Make a Positive Contribution
• Achieve Economic Well Being
We report to parents and key professionals on a termly basis, individual progress and attainment under these five outcomes.
Child Protection
Brantridge School is committed to child protection. MS B king (Head of Care) is the designated member of staff for child protection along with Mr. M. Smith (Senior Residential Social Care Worrker). Mr L. Richards is the Governor with responsibility for child protection.
Brantridge School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policies are available on request from the school office. It is possible to access these policies on paper, electronically or with the support of the Family Support and Inclusion Manager.