Special Educational Needs

Learning Support

Our school is proud to consider itself an inclusive school, committed to supporting the many needs of its pupils and parents within our community. We aim to ensure that all our pupils, regardless of their needs or abilities, enjoy their school days and make the best possible progress.

The Learning Support Team is led by the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Mrs. Alison Atton, supported by Ms. Amanda Gratton (support teacher) and a team of dedicated teaching assistants.

We believe it is important for pupils to feel fully prepared for transition from primary to secondary education and organise visits and activities for year 6 pupils with special educational needs, so that they can get to know us before they arrive full-time. Once they are settled within school, we set suitable but challenging personal targets and monitor progress closely.

What kinds of support can we offer?

  • In-class support with teaching assistants both helping named pupils and supporting others, too, who may need assistance.

  • 1:1 and small group extraction.

  • Literacy support programmes e.g. SRA Corrective Reading Scheme, ReadWrite, FreshStart, SuccessMaker (an ICT-based literacy and numeracy "catch-up" programme).

  • Differentiated resources to help pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum.

  • An alternative curriculum for some lessons to teach basic skills and prepare pupils for the world outside school e.g. cooking, practical Maths, art therapy, swimming.

  • A "safe haven" at lunchtimes where they can "escape" from the busy playground and enjoy board games, construct models or just chat. Some of our Year 10 and 11 School Leaders help us to run this.

  • Peer or teaching assistant mentoring each morning to help weak readers.

  • Extended work experience placements in Years 10 and 11, most of which also involve ASDAN Workright or an equivalent qualification.

  • Entry Level accreditation (for those who would find the demands of a GCSE course in all subjects too challenging) in subjects including English, Science, Child Development, Food Technology and Personal and Social Skills.

  • Exam access arrangements for both KS3 SATs and GCSE.

  • Teaching assistants attached to, and specialising in, specific areas of the curriculum.

If you would like to know more about our department and work within the school, please contact the SENCO.