Hassocks students form new bonds through inter school sporting sessions

Youngsters at LVS Hassocks, a school for people aged 11 to 19 on the autism spectrum, having been trying a variety of different sports with their new friends from Hurstpierpoint College.

Lower sixth pupils from the private school visited LVS Hassocks on Tuesday, February 11, to bond with their counterparts and teach them a host of different sports each week.

Group warm ups were followed by a range of games and dexterity tests such as basketball, hula hoops, skipping and throwing at targets.

The pupils will continue to work together in small groups week to week to help foster bonds and help friendships blossom, allowing pupils at the specialist school to develop trust and confidence in their new role models.

The small groups even created their own hand shakes before engaging in a range of activities designed to test and aid co-ordination.

Jen Weeks, head of LVS Hassocks, said: “This link up is of huge benefit to both schools.

“For LVS Hassocks it is a great opportunity to give our students regular access to neurotypical peers who can be positive role models for them to look up to.

“This is encouraging our students to throw themselves into sporting activities which they may otherwise have been reluctant to engage with, so it is broadening their skills and experiences beyond what might have been possible before”.

The Hurstpierpoint College students are working towards their Sports Leaders qualifications, which requires them to provide practical training sessions.

Simon Lilley, Hurstpierpoint College sports teacher, said: “Working with LVS Hassocks was the undoubted highlight for the Hurst sixth form sports leaders last year and we have been looking forward to coming back since September”.