Handcross Park School A GSG School
- Handcross Park School
Handcross
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH17 6HF - Head: Mr Jonnie Besley
- T 01444 400526
- F 01444 400527
- E registrar@handxpark.com
- W www.handcrossparkschool.co.uk
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 13.
- Read about the best schools in West Sussex
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: West Sussex
- Pupils: 406
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £12,405 - £24,570; Boarding £21,045 - £32,010 pa (last updated on 27/06/2024)
- Open days: September, February and May
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- Linked schools: Brighton College, Brighton College Prep School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
A parent told us ‘the culture [of this school] is to do with the magic of childhood’; or perhaps the magic of how we think childhood should be, with acres of green on which to run around, ancient trees to climb, and teachers who say, how about doing this lesson outside in the sun? Google expeditions mean pupils can travel the world in geography and history - ‘so amazing’, said a pupil, enthusiastically recalling a virtual trip to the theatre to see Lincoln die...
What the school says...
Handcross Park is a Brighton College prep school providing a first class day and boarding education for boys and girls from 2 to 13 years. We are a family friendly school with a strong academic and pastoral reputation. Set in beautiful surroundings, we are conveniently located just off the A23, providing easy access from London and surrounding areas. Combining traditional values with inspiring teaching and excellent facilities, Handcross Park offers a wonderful environment for day and boarding children looking to gain places to Brighton College and other leading independent senior schools. ...Read more
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What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since September 2023, Jonnie Besley, previously head of Abberley Hall (now closed) and before that, deputy head at Orwell Park in Suffolk. He has also been head of boarding and history at Westbourne House in Sussex and has taught history and coached sport at Dulwich Prep. Educated at Gresham’s School in Norfolk.
Married to Tessa, without whom he may never have gone into teaching at all, he explains - the pair met at Durham (where he studied history, English lit and philosophy) and while he went off into events management, it was her decision to go into teaching that enticed him to retrain at Cambridge. They have a son and daughter, both at school. When time allows, you’ll find them walking, cycling, fishing, sailing and camping out. Mr Besley is also...
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Special Education Needs
Handcross Park provides individualised support for pupils with mild and specific learning difficulties. Pupils are monitored from an early age and interventions are implemented that allow every child to flourish as an individual learner in order to transition to the appropriate senior school. One-to-one support and group activities are provided in a safe and comfortable environment. Each pupil is encouraged to develop a growth mindset which allows them to establish learning skills, which are transferable across all subjects. The head of learning support actively communicates with relevant pupils, teachers and parents to focus primarily on pupils’ wellbeing and development. This empowers all parties to work cohesively for the successful outcomes of the pupil.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
|
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
Y |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
Y |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
Y |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
Y |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
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