Our Learning Skills department has four specialist teachers and a dedicated Learning Skills Higher Level Teaching Assistant. The Learning Skills department is able to provide a wealth of experience and current, professional knowledge. We work closely with class teachers, parents and outside professionals, always with the aim of nurturing self-esteem, developing independent learning skills, and encouraging and enabling each child to fulfill his or her potential, through appropriate teaching and support.
We advocate a graduated approach, aiming to remove barriers to learning. In practice, this ranges from working with class teachers to ensure thoughtful differentiation, appropriate classroom support and small group work, focused reading, spelling or handwriting groups, targeted booster group support or more specialised 1:1 teaching, to the provision of a school laptop to facilitate writing or organisational skills. In every case, the provision is tailored to the needs of the individual and reviewed on a regular basis.
We aim to identify SEN and additional needs at the earliest possible opportunity, to strengthen vulnerable areas and develop skills that can be used to access the curriculum independently, all the way through to Common Entrance in Year 8 and entry to senior school.
Recent senior school choices for children with SEN and additional needs have included: Bradfield College, Bryanston, Cheltenham College, Clayesmore, Cokethorpe, Dauntsey’s, Dean Close, Marlborough, Millfield, Milton Abbey, Monkton Combe, Rendcomb, Shiplake, St Edward’s Oxford, Stonar School, and Sherborne.
We also welcome children with EAL or those who have an additional language at home. We aim to identify any needs these children may have and to support them appropriately.
“Pupils with SEND or EAL exhibit excellent knowledge and understanding, due to the well-established support provided in individual lessons and well-targeted interventions.”
ISI Inspection Report