Support for Learning

P1 and P2

In P1, pupils may participate in our Early Intervention programme, which aims to ensure all the students have a good foundation for literacy. By intervening early, it is hoped that the foundation will be achieved through consolidating class work. The length of time students participate will vary depending on their individual needs.

In P2 our Early Intervention programme also helps those children who need support with early numeracy skills as well as early literacy skills.

P3, P4 and P5

In P3, P4 and P5 students identified either by class teachers or outside agencies, as requiring support in meeting their long term targets, are taught either individually or in small groups . This means that students in Junior School with identified additional support needs have access to a specialist member of staff who works in conjunction with their class teacher to ensure that their individual needs are met.

P6

P6 is a transition point for students as they move from Junior School to the Lower School campus. Liaison with P5 class teachers and the Junior School Support for Learning staff is very important to ensure that the correct provision is offered from the start of P6. In P6 an individual or small group programme with specialist support is offered to those students identified as having an additional support need during the liaison or admissions process. This support can be on a weekly basis throughout the year, or as a short block to support the student in a particular curriculum area.

Remove

In Remove, students no longer follow the primary curriculum but have individual subject teachers. Those students for whom it is felt relevant, through annual reviews during the summer term and liaison with admissions, have the opportunity to follow a small group Support for Learning without jeopardising their access to a broad and balanced curriculum, through undertaking two periods of Learning Support a week in place of Modern Studies and Latin. These lessons include all students in a class who are identified with requiring additional support. The decision to undertake Learning Support is only taken after a process of consultation with parents and the student’s P6 class teacher. In addition, co-operative teaching in English and mathematics is undertaken by Support for Learning staff in Remove.

Lower 4

In Lower 4, co-operative teaching in English and mathematics continues and Learning Support is available in place of a second language, which is introduced into the curriculum at this stage. Students for whom an additional language is felt inappropriate are offered the alternative provision of Learning Support and will only be taken up following consultation with parents, teaching staff and the student’s current Support for Learning teacher. Learning Support provision amounts to three periods a week, two periods with a specialist teacher and one period with a specialist maths teacher.

Upper 4 (S2, Yr 9)

In Upper Four students who take Learning Support in place of a second language other than English, will receive two periods a week with a member of learning support staff and one period per week of specialist mathematics support.

In addition, co-operative teaching is undertaken in English and mathematics lessons and individual support is available to students who may require some additional support. Individual lessons take place once a week on a rolling timetable, which requires the student to come out of another subject.

Lower 5 and Upper 5

At the end of Upper 4, students who would benefit from continued access to Learning Support can choose it as one of their options for study during Lower 5 and Upper 5. These students will have Learning Support for four periods per week, two with a Learning Support teacher and two with a Mathematics teacher. The aim of Learning Support over these two years is to provide the students with skills that can be transferred to all their subjects.

In addition, support is also available for students who have not opted for Learning Support. This is offered through co-operative teaching in English and individual support as required.

Lower 6 and Upper 6

By the time the students reach Sixth Form level, most no longer require input from Support for Learning, but some, due to their subject options, still benefit from occasional tutorial sessions with a member of Learning Support staff. Access to these sessions is determined following review of each student’s requirements by Support for Learning staff.