Admissions
Cuckmere House School is a special school that makes provision for children and young people with Social, Emotional & Mental Health needs (SEMH) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Key Stage 1 to 4.
Cuckmere House School is a unique school to be part of; we are committed to ensuring that each child can access the highest possible standard of education and where they can be supported to better manage their behaviour, emotional and mental health needs. We create an engaging learning environment that encourages our learners to become independent and self-motivated. We believe that the strong and supportive relationships we build with pupils and their parents and carers forms an excellent foundation from which we work together. This helps us to achieve our aim of ensuring that each young person can learn and develop the skills to be able to engage purposefully in their education and, as they move through the school, be able to make well-informed choices about their future and therefore contribute positively to their community.
Admissions to the School
Cuckmere House School is a special school which provides 97 places for children of both sexes1 in the age range 52 to 16 years with SEMH and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
For a child to be admitted, the school must be named, by a local authority, in the child’s education health and care plan (EHCP). Pupils coming to Cuckmere House must have an Education, Health Care Plan for Social, Emotional & Mental Health or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a primary need. It is likely that their needs will have prevented them from fully engaging in mainstream education and some may come to Cuckmere House School from other alternative school provisions. Some pupils who are referred to us will have experienced interruptions in their educational provision, with some being excluded from their mainstream school. Pupils with a primary diagnosis of ASD will also be educated within cohorts including pupils who have a primary diagnosis of SEMH.
Parents wishing their children to benefit from our provision should ask their local authority to name our school in their child’s EHCP.
If following an initial assessment it is felt a place at this school may be suitable; the school will invite the parents or carers into school with their child for a tour and conversation. This provides opportunity for both parties to ask questions and explore any issues that may not be reflected in the initial paperwork. Following this the school will produce a summary report which is shared with the Principal and the Local Authority SEN department stating whether the school can/cannot meet the student’s needs. This report will also state whether the school has availability within the current cohort and whether Cuckmere House is best suited to meeting the pupils needs. The SEN casework officer will then inform parents and carers of the outcome Once a place has been offered an individual transition plan will be agreed. For further information on our school, and the process for obtaining a place here please contact Office.CH@sabden.org.uk or call 01323 691000 (option 1).
1 While Cuckmere House School is a co-educational institution, we are currently implementing a phased introduction of younger primary-aged girls. This approach is designed to ensure a successful and safe integration, with appropriate facilities and support structures being developed to meet their specific needs.
2 5 year olds in year 1 onwards, as the school does not offer an early years curriculum.
