A Typical Day
At LVS Hassocks, we appreciate that new students may need a gradual transition into our school.
Our therapy and pastoral teams work closely with all our students, parents/carers and professionals to ensure that the needs of each individual are met during their transition phase.
On joining LVS Hassocks, you may start on a reduced timetable. This is built up over a number of weeks.
After six weeks there is a meeting so that you can discuss your progress and plans can be made to overcome any issues that may have come to light.
The school day starts at 9:30 a.m. with morning tutor time, providing an opportunity for students to settle into the day, share any concerns, and orient themselves. The tutor shares information about the day, presents a visual timetable, and checks in with each student individually. It’s also an opportunity to remind students of any changes and upcoming events.
The tutor serves as a constant in a student’s school life, and this check-in is a vital part of that.
From 9.40, three 50-minute lessons are scheduled, each with a 10-minute break in between. There is a mix of classroom-based activities, outdoor learning, practical lessons, and physical exercise. Students engage in food tech lessons, work with animals and plants in outdoor learning, and cover core curriculum subjects.
Additionally, students participate in therapy sessions, one-to-one learning, and other extracurricular activities such as travel training or volunteering as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. These activities are timetabled to meet their needs or work towards the targets in their learning.
During the break, fruit is available for all students, and they are free to move around the grounds, utilizing this time as a valuable opportunity to recharge and prepare for the next session.
Students and staff gather for lunch at 12.30, freshly prepared on-site by our kitchen team. We offer a diverse range of options, regularly reviewed to cater to students’ needs.
After lunch, students can choose from a variety of clubs such as art, music, football, ICT, Dungeons and Dragons, and therapy club, where they can engage with others or utilise the sensory room for relaxation.
At 1:15 p.m., students spend time back in their tutor groups, and we encourage them to use this time to participate in tutor activities, engage in quiet reading, or raise any concerns with their tutors. Lessons 4 and 5 follow tutor time, again with ten-minute breaks between the sessions.
The school day concludes with wrap-up time at 3:40 p.m., back in the tutor room, before dismissal at 4:00 p.m.
Fridays
On Fridays, we also have our on-site café running, which is open to our students and the public. We encourage parents to come in and enjoy a coffee, cake, or other delicious treats, all served by our pupils. Tutor groups take turns to run the café, learning serving skills, handling cash, and preparing hot and cold drinks, including how to operate the coffee machine.
Also on Fridays, the school day concludes at 2:30 p.m., so the final period of the day is between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. Here, students will have a class assembly on a subject provided by one of the staff, focusing on topical subjects such as World Book Day, Science Week, or Careers.
Additionally, there will be weekly wrap-up time where tutors can once again check in with students, discuss how their week has been, and celebrate successes and challenges overcome.