Assess
Students are assessed on entry and at key points throughout their school time to provide information about their learning profiles. A support plan is put in place through 1:1 sessions with the Learning Support team.
SEND
We have the time and manpower to assess our students’ needs and step in with all the best measures to ensure that our girls feel happy, supported and able to achieve their own best. It’s certainly not a ‘one size fits all’ approach and we adapt our provision according to the needs of each student.
From Reception to Year 13, the Learning Support provision comes through quality-first dyslexia-friendly teaching. Our small classes and excellent staff-student relationships allow teachers to adapt their teaching to all Special Educational Needs (SEN)/English as an Additional Language (EAL) students and provide individualised subject-specific support.
We support students with a wide range of learning needs including specific learning difficulties such as working memory, processing speed, reading and writing, dyslexia, dyspraxia, phonological and spelling weaknesses. Our provision also includes neurodiversity support and we help students with ADHD, Autism and a range of Social Emotional and Mental Health issues to thrive in the classroom with our targeted support.
In addition to subject support, our SEN/EAL students can benefit from using word processors to type and to have their work read to them, scribing, coloured paper to relieve visual stress, pre-reading material, additional time, rest breaks, sensory support (ear defenders, a change in seating or rooming), bespoke timetabling and we are able to offer a wide range of exam access arrangements for public examinations where students meet the criteria for these.
We follow the nationally recommended Graduated Response model:
Plan
Following assessment, staff, students and parents are informed of individual learning strengths and potential barriers to learning (through Individualised Education Programs – IEPs – and the SEN register) so that teaching can be supportive and differentiated, and IEP targets are set in collaboration with the students.
do
Using the SEN information on their students, staff provide support in every aspect of their learning on a daily basis and feed back regularly through classwork, homework, tests, progress checks, reports etc.
review
The Learning Support team works closely with the pastoral team as well as with teaching staff and students to review progress at the regular progress check points through the year. IEP targets are reviewed annually to update the support plan.
Communication with parents is a cornerstone of this approach, ensuring they are involved and informed about their child’s progress. Equally important is the collaboration with the pastoral team, which supports both the emotional and academic wellbeing of students. Regular updates to the SEN register, coupled with reviews of current provisions, ensure that our strategies remain effective and responsive.
For more information, read our SEND policy or feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Meet Mrs Smart, SENCo
Mrs Smart is our SENCo and is responsible for the coordination of the Learning Support provision across the school. She also carries out the assessments for all year groups including those for JCQ purposes for support in public examination in Years 11 and 13.
Where next?
