Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith visited LVS Hassocks on Friday (29th April) – a specialist school for children with a diagnosis of autism.
Jen Weeks, Principal, and Sarah Sherwood, LVS Director of SEN, provided Andrew with a full tour of the campus and spoke to him about the benefits of a specialist education. Mr Griffith also spoke to the children about what they enjoyed about the school. He joined some of the younger students in the horticultural garden helping them to plant sunflowers.
The school is a charity - owned and managed by the Licenced Trade Charity - situated in 36-acres of a former priory on the edge of Sayers Common. They support the specialist education needs of 63 students and for whom mainstream school is not suitable.
Jen Weeks, Principal of LVS Hassocks, who has been shortlisted for ‘Headteacher of the Year’ in the Tes Schools Award 2022 announced yesterday (3rd May), said:
“We were delighted to welcome Mr Griffith and showcase LVS Hassocks. It was a pleasure touring Mr Griffith around our school and talking about the benefits LVS Hassocks has on children with a diagnosis of autism, we are proud of what we do and the impact we have on our student’s life post LVS Hassocks.”
Andrew Griffith said:
“I received a very warm welcome at LVS Hassocks and it was good to see first-hand the work they do.
“I welcome the National Autism Strategy which sets out the real steps Government is going to take over the next five years – to create a society which is inclusive of people with autism. The Strategy will give the extra the support needed – backed by £75 million funding in its first year – to improve diagnosis and education through to employment.”
ENDS
- Photograph 1 - (left to right): LVS students with Jen Weeks, Principal of LVS Hassocks, and Andrew Griffith MP.
- Photograph 2 – Andrew Griffith MP with Jen Weeks, Principal LVS Hassocks and is shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year in the ‘Tes Schools Award 2022’
3. Top read more about the National Autism Strategy - a 5 year vision for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 - see - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-strategy-for-autistic-children-young-people-and-adults-2021-to-2026.
4. To read more about the Tes Schools Award 2022 see https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/revealed-tes-schools-awards-2022-shortlist
5. To read more about LVS Hassocks see https://www.lvs-hassocks.org.uk/
