Thursday 09 September 2010

Learning Support 

 

Staff:     Mrs Helen Burrows SENCO

             Mrs Carole Longmire HLTA

             Mrs Jo Roberts  TA

             Mrs Janet Laybourn TA

             Mrs Anna Reid

             Mrs Fenn SENCO

             Mrs Karen Anderson DI

 

Junior School Learning Support

All our staff understand that children acquire, assimilate and communicate information at different rates and that a range of different and effective  teaching approaches and experiences are required.


Additionally, the Junior School special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) manages the arrangements for pupils needing further support in their learning. This may be a structured multisensory teaching programme, but could also be through curriculum support, by teaching study skills, organisation, and revision skills. Teaching Assistants in Junior School also support pupils in small groups both in and out of the classroom.

 

The school believes that early identification of a specific difficulty and early intervention produces maximum progress.


Any regular 1:1 professional lessons which may be recommended can usually be accommodated in school during the working day. Parents whose children have a 1:1 support lesson are welcome to attend any or all of these lessons.

The school works with the guidelines and recommendations in the Code of Practice for the monitoring and assessment of pupils with Special Educational Needs and SENDA.

A  strength of the school is that the learning support arranged for our pupils is well coordinated between all the professionals involved and the parents.

Senior School Learning Support

Senior School Learning Support is based in Ashdell House. On entry to Senior School any pupil with previously identified learning difficulties will be supported appropriately in consultation with the pupil, parents and teaching staff concerned, to promote a smooth transition from Junior to Senior School.


All pupils are routinely assessed in Year 7 and Year 9. Our Learning Support Team can offer support in class and/or individually if necessary. Specialist support (i.e. dyslexia) may be arranged if required on a peripatetic basis. Small class sizes at Westbourne ensure that each child’s needs are catered for by class teachers and Learning Support staff.

Learning Support staff send regular updates to those supported pupils and their parents  through reports, parents evenings, informal meetings/telephone calls and twice yearly newsletters.

Parents can contact Learning Support directly on its helpline (Mondays 4.15pm – 6pm) Tel: 07960708882 or through the main school office at other times.

Parents are warmly invited to contact the school to discuss any aspects of Learning Support at Westbourne.

Further information on our new ASDAN programme and Junior School learning support is in the process of being uploaded.