Learning Support

The Learning Support Department works closely with other curriculum areas to ensure that the curriculum is presented in a way that is accessible and suitable for all students.  

The Learning Support Department is line managed by:

• Mrs J Fleeman, Head of Additional Learning - SENCo
• Mrs H Pine, Deputy Head of Additional Learning - Deputy SENCo
• Mrs R Trodd, Access Arrangements administrator 
• Mrs Graham - Admin Assistant 

In addition to the above, we have 14 Teaching Assistants and 1 Specialist Teaching Assistant responsible for Speech, Language and Communication.  There are specialist Core Progress Assistants linked to the Maths, English and Science departments.  Students who require additional support are identified through liaison work with junior schools; regular screening; the school's referral system and parents' concerns.  Our aim is to support students in order to enable them to have access to the National Curriculum.  

The school's policy is that students with Special Educational Needs will be educated in normal classroom situations with their peers.  The curriculum may be differentiated to meet their needs, some class sizes may be smaller and/or additional adult help may be provided on occasion within the classroom.  Help is also given through direct teaching in small groups and through advice to subject teachers.  

Some students may qualify for additional support for public examinations at key stage three and four.  In these cases 'Access Arrangements' for individual students will be applied for following testing by the specialist assessor.