The Learning Support Department

Department Aim

The learning support team aims to ensure that students with learning difficulties are able to access a broad and balanced curriculum, which both challenges and encourages their learning.

Learning Support and its Place in the Curriculum

The department supports students throughout the college to enable them to access the national curriculum and associated college activities. The department provides support and advice for all staff. The department facilitates the inclusion of all students by providing literacy and numeracy support throughout the college curriculum.

Learners of all abilities are entitled to have ownership of their learning. They must understand the learning process, and experience a range of multi-sensory learning styles. Pupils are taught how to develop their own tools for learning.

What is Meant by Inclusion?

Inclusion is about belonging, being happy and feeling valued within the school and wider community, irrespective of age, ability, ethnicity or social background. St Paul’s values all students as individuals, with different strengths and weaknesses and different needs at different times.

Parent's Role in Supporting Their Child

All parents are informed if their child has an identified learning difficulty and is on the Learning Support Register. Parents are invited to take an active role in contributing to the target setting and evaluation of the Individual Education Plan. Parents of students with a Statement of Educational Needs are invited to contribute to the Annual Review process.

Parents are encouraged to contact the Learning Support Department if they have specific support issues. Appointments can be made to discuss these issues, either individually or at the parents’ consultation evening (see whole college policy for normal contact).

Literacy and Numeracy Support for KS3

The Learning Support department provides in class support across the curriculum. Support is always provided for the lower maths and science sets as well as for the literacy catch up groups. Ms J smith also works with the English department to provide literacy support for KS3 students using the Literacy Strategy Progress Units. Students with a Statement of Educational Need are provided with additional specialist lessons in the SEN suite as well as some inclass support across the curriculum. Some Students are given additional support for their KS3 SATs.

Reading/spelling groups

Identified students are given additional reading and spelling practice during registration time

Social communication groups

Identified students participate in a weekly group run by an LSA and the Speech and Language Therapists assistant. Ongoing assessments are made of the student’s progress. This group, presently, runs for students in KS3.

Literacy and Numeracy Support for KS4

The learning support department provides support for students across the curriculum at KS4. The department works alongside other departments to help individuals with coursework deadlines and preparing for external examinations.

Some Students in KS4 are identified as needing additional support for examinations. Assessments are carried out by a qualified assessor at the end of year 9 / beginning of year 10. Ms J Smith is responsible for putting students forward for these assessments and sending them to the exam boards.