Hampden House Pupil Referral Unit currently offers places to boys aged between 8 and 14 who have been permanently excluded or are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream schools. In addition to day pupils, the unit also offers a number of boarding places for boys with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
These changes would allow the unit to respond to an increase in demand for specialist support for children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alongside SEMH needs. Under the proposals, girls would also be admitted to the Unit and the age range would change from and 8–14 years to 7–16 years. No changes are being proposed for boarding provision at this time.
Currently, pupils are not expected to remain at Hampden House for more than 3-6 terms. However, due to the changing needs of Suffolk children, we are proposing the age range change to enable pupils to remain for a longer period appropriate to their educational needs and, in some cases, to complete their secondary education i.e. to the normal age of transfer to post 16 provision. The proposal to admit girls acknowledges the fact that it is not only boys who have ASD/SEMH needs which should be met in a specialised setting.
A drop-in session will be held at the unit on Friday 13 September, 2:30pm to 5pm. Please feel free to attend.
Contact us
If you have any questions, contact the Schools Infrastructure Team at schools@suffolk.gov.uk.
