Who We Support / Finding The Right School
Our designation is to provide for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. We welcome students, from age 10-20 years, with an EHCP who are exhibiting mild to moderate levels of one or more of the following:
Main School
Ø Neurodiversity (ASD, ADHD)
Ø Mental health diagnosis underpinned by anxieties (i.e. generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias, OCD, EBSA)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to mood dysregulation (i.e. depression)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to trauma (i.e. PTSD, attachment disorder, developmental trauma)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to eating (i.e. ARFID)
Ø Difficulties which can be supported through Occupational Therapy (i.e. dyspraxia, difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, sensory difficulties)
Ø Difficulties which can be supported through Speech and Language Therapy (i.e. social and communication difficulties, friendship and relational difficulties)
Ø Difficulties related to cognition and learning (i.e. dyslexia, slow processing disorder, difficulties to focus and concentrate)
Ø Medical conditions (i.e. chronic fatigue syndrome)
We welcome HEART students, from Year 9 onwards, with an EHCP who are exhibiting moderate or advanced levels of one or more of the following:
In HEART
Ø Neurodiversity (ASD, ADHD)
Ø Mental health diagnosis underpinned by anxieties (i.e. generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias, OCD, EBSA, selective mutism, non-epileptic seizures)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to mood dysregulation (i.e. depression, bi-polar disorder)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to trauma (i.e. PTSD, complex trauma, attachment disorder)
Ø Mental health diagnosis related to eating (i.e. anorexia, bulimia, ARFID)
Ø Mental health diagnosis of psychotic nature (i.e. schizophrenia and hearing voices, psychosis)
Ø Difficulties which can be supported through Occupational Therapy (i.e. dyspraxia, difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, sensory difficulties)
Ø Difficulties which can be supported through Speech and Language Therapy (i.e. social and communication difficulties, friendship and relational difficulties)
Ø Difficulties related to cognition and learning (i.e. dyslexia, slow processing disorder, difficulties to focus and concentrate)
Ø Medical conditions (i.e. chronic fatigue syndrome, PoTS)
Finding the Right School
If you are looking for a school for your child, we would advise the following:
Do your research, visit the school and ask as many questions as possible. Make sure they have the right balance of support. Education should be at the appropriate level with specific support where needed. Therapy should not stand-alone and should inform school staff in their practices and approach.
If you are considering an independent school, check how they are funded and explore their fee structure. If the Local Authority is funding the placement, you will need to also research your local maintained mainstream and special schools to see if they have appropriate provision. Local Authorities will want to place with the most appropriate and cost-effective provision.
Talk to your Local Authority about the school you have selected. Some schools, like ours, will support the application process and will work proactively with you and the Local Authority to find the most appropriate provision.
Ensure any assessments are up to date and relevant. This is the evidence that will enable professionals to make the right decisions around provision and any associated costs. If you disagree with the identified provision or placement, you can appeal the decision through a tribunal process.