Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
I am pleased to write these few words of welcome on behalf
of the Staff, Governors and Pupils of Downs View School.
Our newly opened Downs View Link College at Varndean
(for all
Brighton & Hove’s 16 to 19 year olds with SLD),  has
been a major undertaking over a long period and we are
delighted that it has now opened and, in common with the
main school in Woodingdean, working outstandingly well.
Starting a new school can be a daunting experience, but
please be assured that we will do everything we can to
make the transition as smooth as possible.
This prospectus has been designed to help you find out
about the school, its Staff, Governors and Pupils.  I hope
that it is informative and gives you something of the
‘flavour’ of our school.
A number of our pupils have care placements either on a
full time or shared basis.  This prospectus is written for all
parents and carers involved with the child.  However, for
the ease of writing, the term parent will be used to
encompass all carers involved with each pupil.
Downs View School aims to promote a safe and happy
environment where high standards of hard work and
sensible behaviour are the expected norm.
Obviously no one booklet will convey everything you might
want to know, so please feel free to ask questions, make
comments and above all come to see us and talk to the
staff.
We hope that your son or daughter will enjoy and benefit
from his or her experiences here and that you will join us in
an educational partnership.
Adrian Carver

At Downs View School we promote an ethos which demonstrates
mutual respect for all pupils and staff.  We expect high standards
of behaviour and all staff adopt a consistent and agreed approach
based on the understanding of self and others.  Every member of
staff without exception has a part to play in establishing and
maintaining a positive and supportive culture. This will include
having positive expectations of pupils, having respect for all,
providing good social role models for pupils, constantly looking for
ways to celebrate achievement, and to enjoy and have fun in
school.
We will encourage all children and staff to be sensitive to the
needs and feelings of others and show respect for other cultures
and beliefs.  Partnerships with parents and the local community
are actively encouraged and equality of opportunity will be fully
promoted.

The curriculum offered at Downs View is related both to the needs and
entitlement of the pupil and requirements of the National Curriculum.
We aim to deliver a curriculum which is broad and balanced,
but above all relevant to the pupils

It is thereby intended that the children learn those things which:

• are within their understanding
• are useful to them individually
• give them the best opportunity of adapting to the society in which they live.

All National Curriculum areas are appropriatley addressed according to
the pupils' ability, and the majority of pupils at Downs View are
working towards and within levels 1 and 2.

Particular emphas is isplaced upon the developement of personal,
social and health education, self-help skills and upon language and
communication developement. We try to encourage, at a level appropirate
to individual pupils, the skills of decision making, responsibility for self
and others, social awareness and social competence.

The school is divided into four departments, comprising a total of 16
classes in which pupils are grouped according to age and specific need.
A teacher and one or two teaching assistant staff each class.