Looked after and Previously Looked After Children
At Downlands School, we believe every student deserves to feel deeply seen, valued and understood. We recognise that for our young people who are looked after or have previously been in care, the journey through secondary school comes with its own unique experiences and challenges. Our commitment is to ensure our students are safe, supported and successful within our community of belonging. All staff at Downlands school are trauma informed trained and focus on connection over correction. We understand the neurobiology of early childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences means that feeling emotionally secure is an essential prerequisite for learning. We understand that “behaviour” is a communication. This page is a hub for our families to understand our specific provisions on offer.
Our Designated Teacher and advocate is Mrs Kate Turner- her training includes an academic background in Psychology and further advanced training in Attachment, Trauma Informed Approach, Lying and The Impact of Trauma on the Brain. As well as Designated Teacher, Mrs Kate Turner is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Please see both our Designated Teacher Policy and our Pupil Premium strategy to explore what support is on offer here at Downlands.
Please use the links below to find further support and signposting:
Beacon House- Home
West Sussex Virtual School- West Sussex Virtual School – West Sussex County Council
East Sussex Virtual School- Virtual School | Czone
Adoption South East- Adoption South East
Our Communities
All students at Downlands belong to one of 4 Communities, all named after areas of natural beauty in Sussex
- Beacon
- South Downs
- Weald
- Wolstonbury