Student Support

The Care of Students Who Experience Learning Difficulties

The aims of this school include the recognition of the need to maximise the potential of all students. It is our belief that to achieve this we must identify the educational needs of students who have learning problems or those who need extra support so that we are able to provide adequate provision and resources to support them. These students become disillusioned and worried if they feel that they are unable to cope with the educational demands placed upon them. Our policy for students who have learning difficulties aims to prevent this from happening.

Identifying the students with Learning Problems

These students are identified by a variety of methods. Much valuable information is obtained from our feeder schools during the consultation process prior to a student's admission. Also, teachers observe and identify any individual who has difficulty in coping with the demands of their subject. The Student Support Centre collates all this information and ensures that suitable provision is organised.

The Provision

Every curriculum area has a senior member of its staff designated to be responsible for students with special educational needs. Each area has its own policy for assisting such students.
The methods employed include:

  • Monitoring the progress of identified students from day one of their transfer.
  • Diagnostic testing enables The Student Support Centre to identify specific learning problems.
  • Subject teachers are given relevant information about individuals, to help the teacher's understanding of the nature of the student's difficulties.
  • Individuals with serious difficulties are withdrawn from some lessons.
  • Individual work programmes are detailed for students to improve their literacy and numeracy.
  • In addition to withdrawal, students are supported in normal lessons. Here Student Support staff work with students in their regular classes.
  • The Student Support Centre and subject teachers work together to produce suitable materials and resources to help students with their studies.
  • There is a "Homework Club" available for ALL students where Student Support staff will help before, during, and after school.

Contact in School

  • Mr P Wheatly Crowe: Curriculumm Manager / Learning Support / SENCO
  • Ms K Eade: Student Support (part time)
  • Ms C Emsley: Student Support
  • Mrs A Glover: Student Support / Student Support Link Teacher for KS3
  • Mr J Russel: Assistant Head / KS3 Manager / Peripatetic Teachers / Staff
  • John McInness: SEAL
  • Marik Kaspark: SEAL
  • Tim Self: ACE (Behaviour Support)
  • Frederique Haddab: ACE (Psychotherapist)
  • Yvonne Black: ACE (Teacher Counsellor)
  • Sul Regan: SNS Visual Impairment
  • Debbie Culley: SNS Hearing Impairment
  • Melanie Atkinson: YAC Counsellor (Wed)
  • TBA: YAC (Mon am)
  • TBA: YAC (Tues am)
  • Angela Sloane: SALT (YISP)
  • Allie Mayhew: SLSS
  • Hilary Jewers: S&L McKeith Centre, RACH
  • Lalli Howells: ASDSS
  • Anne Robson: ASDSS Jane Fitzgerald - EWO
  • Sue Bromage: EPS
  • Nicky Stranack: Connexions P.A. (Careers)
  • Ian Smith: Connexions I.P.A.
  • Ann Palmer: SEN Link Governor
  • Jenny Barnard-Langston: SEN Link Governor

Outside Agencies

  • SEAL Service for English as an Additional Language
  • ACE Alternative Centre of Education
  • SNS Sensory Needs Service
  • YAC Youth Advice Centre
  • SLSS Speech and Language Support Service
  • S&L Speech and Language
  • RACH Royal Alexandria Children’s Hospital
  • ASDSS Autistic Spectrum Disorder Support Service
  • EWO Educational Welfare Officer
  • EPS Educational Psychological Service
  • YISP Youth Inclusion Social Project