Dudley SENDIASS – Free Support for Parents and Young People

Did you know that Dudley SENDIASS offers free, impartial, and confidential advice and support for families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or disabilities? We can help with education, health, and social care issues, and support is available for young people up to age 25, with or without an EHCP.

Workshops & Events:
We have a range of online workshops and events this academic year (2025–2026) for parents and young people, all delivered via MS Teams. These sessions cover a variety of topics to help you understand and navigate SEND support.

How to Book or Refer:

• Parents and young people aged 16+ can self-refer by emailing: dudley.sendiass@dudley.gov.uk

• Professionals wishing to refer must gain consent from the parent or young person and email the service with contact details.

For more information and the full timetable of workshops, see the attached document or contact the service directly.

 

 

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation:

Forward Together – Supporting Families in the Black Country

We are excited to share information about Forward Together, a new project in the Black Country aimed at improving support and services for people with severe or profound learning disabilities and behaviours that may challenge.

The project is looking to involve more family carers, so that your voices can be heard, you can find out about available support, and help shape local services.

How to get involved:

• Attached is a flyer for family carers with a QR code to sign up to the Forward Together Regional Network.

• By joining, you will receive updates, information about local project developments, and invitations to Community of Practice events to help shape future support.

• Limited physical flyers are available on request if needed.

If you would like to learn more about the project, we can also arrange a call via Teams to discuss it further.

We encourage all family carers who care for someone with severe or profound learning disabilities and behaviours that may challenge to get involved and make their voice heard!

 

 

The Importance of College Transition Days

Transition days to college are a key part of preparing your child for the next step in their education. At our school, we work closely with parents and Connexions to help ensure that this transition is as smooth and seamless as possible.

However, it is very important for parents and carers to visit these settings. Seeing the college in person helps your child feel more confident and supported, and allows you to ask any questions you may have.

Please take some time to check the college opening days and book a visit to help make the transition a positive experience for your child. 

 

 

Talk Consent Workshop – Year 10

This week, our Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to take part in the Talk Consent Workshop, an engaging session designed to help them understand the importance of consent in everyday life.

The workshop encouraged students to think critically, ask questions, and discuss real-life scenarios in a safe and supportive environment. Consent is a vital topic, and the discussions today are just the start – this theme will be embedded throughout the curriculum to ensure our students develop a clear understanding of respectful relationships and personal boundaries.

 

Thank You – PTA Start-Up Meeting

A huge thank you to all the parents and carers who attended our recent PTA start-up meeting. We were truly overwhelmed by the number of people who took the time to come and talk with us about our school’s mission to re-establish a PTA, and who offered to donate their time and support in the future.

At Sutton School, the children are always at the centre of everything we do. The PTA is about working collaboratively with parents, carers, and the wider community to achieve the very best outcomes for our pupils.

For those who were unable to attend the meeting in school, please look out for details of our PTA Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place on Tuesday 14th October. The invitation will be sent via Arbor, and during this meeting we will be assigning key roles such as Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Everyone is warmly encouraged to join and get involved.

Once again, thank you for your time, your valuable contributions, and your enthusiasm. We look forward to working with you all as we continue to grow our Sutton School PTA together.

 

 

 

 

Sutton News Team – Led by Our Rivers Pupils

We are delighted to introduce the Sutton News Team, a brand-new initiative proudly led by our Rivers pupils. This exciting project gives our young people the chance to develop their communication and literacy skills while becoming more actively involved in school life.

The News Team will be reporting on the latest events and activities happening across Sutton School — giving pupils a voice and a platform to share their perspectives. By planning, writing, and presenting their updates, they are gaining valuable experience in teamwork, organisation, and creativity.

This week, the team has been busy gathering updates from the Hills phases, which they have transformed into their very own school news report! They have also included some fantastic book recommendations.

Please click the attachment to see their amazing work — we’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved so far!