| Staff |
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| Learning Support |
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| At a glance information |
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| Years 7, 8, and 9 |
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| GCSE students attending
Learning Support |
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| Computers in the lessons |
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| FAQs |
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| Links |
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| Pupil View |
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| Learning
Support (Additional Needs) |
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Learning Support provision was started in the 1970s. It is available to all age groups. The purpose of Learning Support is to provide additional help for pupils with specific learning difficulties, primarily dyslexia.
Support lessons aim to develop literacy skills and enable students to work towards GCSE, AS and A level examinations. The lessons endeavour to build self confidence and offer support so allowing students with a specific learning difficulty to acknowledge it, realise how it impacts on their learning and learn techniques and strategies to overcome their particular difficulty. Support is targeted and time limited. |
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All students follow an individual education plan. The approach is structured and multi-sensory. |
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| At a glance
information: |
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In
years 7, 8, and 9: |
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| Pupils attend lessons for help with: |
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• Reading skills |
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| • Spelling |
| • Handwriting |
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Memory work/sequencing practice/tracking |
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GCSE
students attend Learning Support for help with: |
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• Essay writing
• Structure and organisation of coursework
• Reading skills:
speed, accuracy, drawing conclusions, inference, comprehension.
• Set text support
• Study skills
• Revision and exam techniques
And:
• Spelling
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Do
you use computers in the lessons? |
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This picture may sum up how you think Learning
Support lessons
are taught. |
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| For the reality scroll down. |
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| A year nine group
at work |
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|
GCSE
essay writing session |
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| Spelling task -
self checking |
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The
Support room has three computers; all have flat screens,
headphones, printers and gel wrist rests |
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A
student work station |
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| Thank you for your interest in Colston's
Learning support. |
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| FAQs |
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FAQs
The following questions are the ones most frequently asked:
1. How is a pupil referred to Learning Support?
Members of staff and/or parents may feel there is a cause for concern and send a referral form to the Head of Learning Support. Pupils can (and do) ask to be referred. Outside agencies can also recommend that students have additional support in school.
2. What happens next?
A letter is sent to the parent/guardian asking if they would like the student to be assessed. (If there is a recent report from an external agency a copy is requested). After a written reply is received an appointment is made for the student. The assessment appointment lasts for approximately two hours. A report is written detailing the findings. Included in the report are suggestions and recommendations for helping the student. Copies of the report are sent to the parent(s)/guardian, Head of House and to whoever made the initial referral.
3. Does that mean that everyone who is assessed has lessons?
No, not all students need the kinds of support that can be offered. Sometimes other ways can be suggested to help the pupil overcome a particular difficulty.
4. The assessment recommended that my child needs Support lessons. When will (s)he receive them?
Pupils are in Key stage 3 are withdrawn from Music. A limited number of lessons are available before school, lunchtime and after school. The individual student timetable is checked against available teaching time and lessons organized accordingly. (Years 10 and 11 are always taught outside of lesson times – they do not miss timetabled lessons). Sixth form students are timetabled in private study lessons whenever possible.
5. My child is really good at Music but also needs help - what do you do?
Obviously a resentful or upset child is not going to benefit from lessons (s)he feel forced to attend. Staff do their utmost to ensure that a pupil is not taken from a lesson which (s)he particularly likes but it has to be appreciated that there are timetable constraints; it is usually possible to work around such difficulties.
6. How many lessons does a student attend each week?
This depends upon the specific difficulty. Some pupils attend Support lessons once a week, others two or three times. The maximum number of lessons offered is four.
7. How many pupils are there in a lesson?
The number varies from one to four pupils per session. The size of the group is dependent upon the specific learning difficulty being addressed.
8. Do you just assess my child and automatically organise the lessons?
No, you must reply in writing to the assessment and recommendations. Nothing is done without your knowledge and agreement. An additional fee is charged for lessons. (See fees on the Upper School website).
9. What does the student actually do during the lessons?
See above photographs. The aim is to teach your child techniques and strategies for overcoming particular difficulties. Students may need help with reading, spelling, language skills, handwriting, study skills, revision or examination preparation. An individual education programme is devised and monitored.
10. How would I know what was happening?
Students are reviewed regularly and a copy of the review is sent home. In between reviews staff contact parent(s)/guardians as the need arises. If you wanted to know what was happening or had any concerns, you would be very welcome to make an appointment to discuss your child's progress at any time. You can contact staff by telephone, post, email or fax.
Please read the 2011 Inspection report for more information.
If you have any queries please email
the Learning Support Unit at school. |
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| Links that may
interest you A. Learn to keyboard quickly
and have some fun.
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| http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing |
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| http://sense-lang.org/typing |
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| Pupil View
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| Reflection
on Year 7 examinations |
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| Review
of Year 7 |
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