Approximately 15% of the school population currently accesses Learning Support on a regular basis for help with a range of learning difficulties.  Lessons are offered primarily on a one-to-one basis, although small group tuition is also available as is classroom support for class teachers.  The ethos of the LS Department is to offer enjoyable and stimulating lessons in a friendly and supportive environment which help to address whatever particular difficulty any scholar is experiencing with their learning.  Although we exist primarily to support those who have identified areas of weakness, the department is available to offer support to all scholars at any time.  Raising self-esteem is seen as key to removing barriers to learning for many of our scholars, and as such, we feel it is important that all our scholars are given every opportunity to experience academic success and to enjoy the experience of learning with us.

Initial Assessment and Referral

All new scholars are invited for an informal chat with the Head of Learning Support on entry to the secondary school.  During this meeting we will carry out some simple screening tests.  Further assessments may then need to be carried out depending on the outcome of this initial meeting.

New entrants to the prep school are assessed and referred if necessary by their class teacher. Pupils experiencing difficulty are also identified through the regular Mark Order meeting system.  Scholars or parents may also self-refer at any time.

Staff

The Department has four members of staff

Head of Learning Support

Mr Jamie Lowe MA.,PGD.,PGCE

Mrs Joy Armstrong MSc.,PGCE.,DIP RSA (Dyslexia)

Mrs Karen Mitchell DIP RSA (Dyslexia)

Ms Diana Bradfield Cert Ed., Cert SpLD

At the end of Year 9, all scholars (including those with no prior history of need) are screened using the Wordchains and Letterchains standardised tests to establish eligibility for differentiated exam access arrangements at GCSE.  Those receiving Learning Support and any identified by this screening will then be asked to take a further series of tests to establish evidence of need.  Exam access arrangements which are available include:

Coloured overlays

Coloured paper

Extra time up to 25%

Oral language modifier

Reader / scribe

Supervised rest breaks

Word processors

Testing will normally be carried out during normal Learning Support lesson time, although where detailed evidence is required (for example for a reader or scribe), there may be an additional charge to parents.

Learning Support for All

It is very much in the ethos of the Department that Learning Support should be accessible to all scholars, regardless of ability or attainment.  We aim to continue to develop awareness of our service across the school community, and to ensure that all scholars and staff are aware that we are available to support inclusive learning throughout the college.  In particular, we aim to offer support to all scholars, whenever they may experience learning difficulty.

Should any parent wish to discuss Learning Support issues they may contact Mr Jamie Lowe - Head of Learning Support.

Click here for the Learning Support Handbook

The Second Annual Conference on Inclusive Education: “Exploring Individual Needs”.

conf1

Bedstone Conf 2012