Hurworth House School

Hurworth House School provides specialist education for boys and girls with SEMH difficulties and Autism.

Our staff are highly trained, skilled and experienced in supporting and educating our children, many of whom have a co-morbid diagnosis. The school is registered to provide education to up to 67 students aged between 5 and 19 years. We have a discrete primary provision and separate middle and upper schools.  

We provide a high quality education provision as well as a tailored therapeutic approach for each young person in our care. We recognise each child is an individual and tailor our services to reflect this through the creation of bespoke learning and therapy packages which meet specific needs, abilities and future aspirations.

We value and work in partnership with parents, carers and local authorities, demonstrating an open and inclusive approach and inspire children to succeed through education, therapy and positive relationships.

Our students have failed in, or been failed by, a variety of settings prior to their time at Hurworth House School. They arrive very disengaged with education and life after having experienced many crises and trauma. We specialise in supporting students with SEMH and behavioural difficulties, including:

  • History of trauma and/or abuse
  • ADD
  • ADHD
  • Attachment disorders
  • Autism and Asperger Syndrome
  • Complex needs
  • Conduct disorders
  • Neglect
  • Obsessive Compulsive Behaviours
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Pathological Demand Avoidance
  • Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder

Hurworth House comprises:

  • One main school site
  • One registered care home – Fieldfare, Brompton

Residential care provision

Whilst Hurworth House School is a specialist independent day school, we are able to offer residential care for up to five students at our satellite children’s home based near Northallerton. The home, Fieldfare, opened in January 2016, and offers a homely setting and flexible care packages for up to 52 weeks per year.

Our vision

“Inspiring for Success”

Our Mission

“Hurworth House is unique, we strive to bring inspiration, present endless possibilities and nurture innovation. We recognise and celebrate individuality, developing all aspects of our young people’s characters in order to fulfil their ambitions”

Who to contact

Contact name
Claire Blackett
Contact position
Head Teacher
Website
Hurworth House School

Where to go

Address
Westfield Drive
Hurworth
Darlington
County Durham
Postcode
DL2 2AD

Other details

Cost description
Placement cost agreed post referral and assessment.
Referral required?
Yes
Referral and availability notes

80 term time, day placements for 5-19 year old male and female students. Each referral would be considered on an individual basis.

Age range
5 - 19 years

Local Offer

Local Offer description

Hurworth House School provides specialist education for boys and girls with SEMH Difficulties and Autism.  

How do you identify Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

All children/young people referred to Hurworth School have an Education, Health and Care plan. All staff in the school are trained to support children with special educational needs and to work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure all needs are being met. 

If you have any concerns about your child's needs not being met, we have an open and transparent approach and will discuss with you and respond to your child's needs. 

How will you support my child with their special educational needs and disability?

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

On arrival to Hurworth every child will have an individual transition period, during this time staff will get to know you and your child and will develop plans agreed by you to best support your child in school. These plans are called individual behaviour support plans, education health and care plans and/or PEP/LAC plans. You and your child's input into these plans are vital to a successful placement.

How will you make sure my child's education meet their needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's young person's needs?

During the transition period baseline assessments will take place which will help inform us of your child's abilities and future aspirations. Curriculum needs will be tailored to match these.

How will we know my child is progressing?

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

At Hurworth we work closely in partnership with you to ensure good communication.  Regular assessment is part of what we do to measure progress in school and we communicate progress to you through a variety of forums i.e. parents evenings, sending out progress reports three times a year and hosting all required review meetings i.e. EHCP etc. 

How will you support my child's overall wellbeing?

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall wellbeing?

We have a holistic approach to every child who attends. Our specialist therapy team measure progress on wellbeing targets. Our curriculum is focused on achievement of both academic and wider social and emotional development. We host trips out, have a variety of specialist visitors to the school, have partnerships with colleges and other work experience providers. The school has a full time SENCO and staff who support the whole needs of the child and are trained and supported to do so.

What specialist services and expertise is available at or accessed by the staff?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

Hurworth School has its own specialist therapy team on site.  This is made up of Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Counselling Psychologist (specialising in Autism), Dr of Counselling Psychology, School Counsellor and other Therapists are brought in as needed. We have a sensory room on site and work in close partnership with other colleges and with our local community and services, i.e. police, local authority etc.

How are staff trained regarding SEND?

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND have had or are having?

All staff are recruited through a safer recruitment process and are matched to a set of skill and experience requirements. Staff have a robust induction and then participate in the schools annual continuous professional development programme. This is tailored to meet the needs of the children in our care and includes weekly training sessions on a Wednesday, planned training days a year and specific training identified through a development programme. The therapy team are very active in providing training around areas of need including Autism, Attachment, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, PDA, ODD, ADHD, Trauma etc. For more specialised placements, the school will ensure staff are trained in specific areas before commencing placement. Priory also have a robust learning programme staff are able to engage in on a regular basis.  

What activities outside the classroom will there be?

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

All activities planned are inclusive of all children/young people. School trips are planned in partnership with children/young people and where special arrangements need to be made prior to arrival this will be done.  Trips are well planned and resourced to ensure safety of all those participating. 

How will you support my child's needs?

How accessible is the setting/school/college environment?

The school is a listed building and separated into three areas, main school, primary and hub. We can adapt environments for children with special needs. The main school is fully accessible to wheelchair users and both main and primary sites have access to disabled toilets. The school is able to use a translation service and has successfully worked with children and families for which English is not their first language. 

What is available to help my child with their education?

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

The school is well resourced and ensures all needs identified in a child/young person's EHCP are catered for. Each teacher is responsible for no more than six children and ensures the right resource for their own group with the support of an experienced teaching assistant. This is overseen by Assistant and Head Teacher. The therapy team provide ideas and resources to support children and young people and the school ensures these are available. 

What support can I expect for my child?

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

The school will carry out an assessment before your child attends and during that assessment they will speak to you about how you feel your child will be best supported in placement. All the information we gather will be considered and we will then send an offer letter to the local authority, they will then decide about placement. If you feel your child needs more, less or different support during placement we will agree this through discussion and meetings on a regular basis. 

How will I be involved in my child's education?

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?

Parents/carers are very important to our school and give an invaluable contribution to the progress of their child. You can be involved in all meetings relating to your child, in training, have your say in how the school is running through questionnaires and consultation meetings. We are also developing parents' roles as advisors to the school. 

My child is going to be starting or leaving soon, how will you help them?

How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

At Hurworth we access independent carers advice for every child/young person and have an internal manager responsible for careers guidance. The school adheres to the Gatsby Standards which is the government benchmark for good careers guidance and provision.  We work in partnership with parents/carers and local authorities to ensure our children/young people achieve positive destinations at their next stage of education.

Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.

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Address: Westfield Drive  Hurworth  Darlington  County Durham

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