Hillside School is maintained by Brighton and Hove Local Education Authority (LEA) and caters for pupils who have severe learning difficulties.
The school is co-educational and provides a maximum of 78 places for pupils and students between the ages of three and nineteen.
Pupils and students at Hillside School have a Statement of Special Educational Needs, following a full assessment under the relevant Education Acts.
The information given in this website is intended for parents and carers whose children will be admitted to Hillside School in 2001/2002, although the school distributes this prospectus to parents and carers of all pupils and students at the school.
AIMS
The aims of teaching and learning at Hillside School are to :
Provide opportunities for all learners which maximise individual development, encourage potential and provide inclusion;
Provide each learner with a rich, broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum, directly related to individual needs and with reference to the National Curriculum;
Create a learning environment which is challenging, exciting, stimulating and safe;
Celebrate achievements both large and small;
Develop skills that allow learners to lead a full, independent and meaningful life.
CLASS ORGANISATION
There are nine classes in the school, split between our Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) Department and our Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) Department.
We also have an additional group based at 'Cherry Trees', the school's further education unit at 104 Lyndhurst Road in Hove.
The pupils have a wide range of abilities and special needs. To meet these needs as effectively as possible the school is organised into three distinct areas.
The organisation of class groups is flexible to enable the school to cater for changes in need and variations in pupil numbers of particular ages. The organisation described below is an 'ideal' which we strive to achieve.
CURRICULUM
In addition to a more broadly defined National Curriculum, the school curriculum includes other subjects and areas that combine with the National Curriculum to provide a 'broad and balanced and relevant curriculum'. The most important subject within this is personal, social and health education (PSHE).
The chart below summarises the statutory obligation to teach subjects within each key stage :
Key stage 1
Key stage 2
Key stage 3
Key stage 4
Pupils' ages
5-7
7-11
11-14
14-16
Year groups
1-2
3-6
7-9
10-11
Core subjects
English Mathematics Science ICT
English Mathematics Science ICT
English Mathematics Science ICT
English Mathematics Science ICT
Foundation subjects
Art Music PE Geography History DT
Art Music PE Geography History DT
Art Music PE Geography History DT MFL
PE Technology MFL
All schools have to ensure that they deliver a curriculum that is 'broad and balanced'. For this reason, students in key stage 4 continue to be taught all foundation subjects until the age of 16, including art, music, geography, history and design & technology. The only exception to this is in Class 4 where some key stage 4 students are taught alongside older students.
Further Education
Hillside includes two groups of students who are older than statutory school age, these are those within the further education link college (FELC) at Cherry Trees and those based in Class 4. They receive a curriculum which is more specifically designed to teach the skills needed for life after school.
The structure of the curriculum offered both within Cherry Trees and Class 4 is more clearly defined within the prospectus for Cherry Trees and the curriculum framework for Class 4, both of which are available from the school office on request.
PARENTS
We consider parents and carers are essential partners in the education of pupils. We believe that through effective communication we can work in partnership with parents and carers, providing each pupil or student with continuity and consistency. This will enable those involved with each pupil or student to work towards shared goals and ideals, for example :
Parents and carers are invited to become involved in school activities - 'fun' days and whole school events, helping with a range of activities, fund raising, etc.
Home visits can be organised to give parents and carers the opportunity to discuss a pupil or student's progress. Meetings during school time can also be arranged with prior notice.
Workshops organised to focus on a variety of areas - language development, medical issues, physical development, play, etc.
Parents and carers are issued with a range of information including a timetable, termly targets, and (where applicable), physiotherapy and eating and drinking programmes, regular newsletters, monthly meal menus, etc.
Parents and carers are invited to meetings to discuss the content of individual pupil's termly targets, pupil progress and support for work at home.
Please contact your child's teacher to discuss these matters if you require further details.