Learning Support

The Learning Support department offers additional teaching to students who require extra help to achieve their very best. A combination of highly experienced and well qualified full time and peripatetic teachers offer support both in small timetabled groups and individually to suit students’ learning needs.

The team of teachers work effectively to support students through the challenges of GCSE and A level, often achieving success far beyond expectations by determining individual learning styles, supporting organisation, and developing study, literacy and numeracy skills, often within the context of curriculum subjects. The provision of appropriate access arrangements for examinations is a priority of the department.

Students are not withdrawn from other lessons but select Learning Support in place of an option choice. Learning Support is timetabled and taught in small groups for two hours per week in the First Year, rising to three hours through the GCSE years. Sixth form support, via one to one lesson, is arranged to suit the needs of each student.

An independent speech and language therapist currently visits the school every week to work with students on an individual basis and advise teaching staff on supportive strategies in the classroom.
Contact with parents is actively encouraged; parents' support is seen as invaluable and crucial to the work of the department. Early contact prior to admission is essential to discuss student's needs and the type of support which may be required to ensure that our provision and curriculum can meet individual requirements. Please contact the Director of Learning Support, Mrs Sonia Bunyard, on 01323 443815 or email sonia.bunyard@stbedesschool.org for further information
Criteria for choice of Learning Support:
• Difficulty with literacy skills including reading comprehension and writing tasks
• Organisational difficulties
• Slow processing and work rates
• Difficulty with understanding and information retention
• Difficulty with Maths
Advantages to students:

The likely improvement in quality of work and GCSE results:
Improved study skills
Increased independence
Improved self esteem

Programmes of study:
Individual programmes of study are planned with students in consultation with parents. Targets for each student are then set. The programmes are reviewed at least twice a year. They might include:
• Continuation of higher level literacy skills
• Revision strategies
• Examination techniques
• Over-learning subject topics
• Advanced study skills
• Support with organisation of self and work
• Development of appropriate working practices
• Essay planning and writing
• Note taking techniques such as mind mapping
• Additional Maths support
• Additional English support
• Determination and practice of examination concessions
• Updating assessments

Exam concessions:
Testing for exam access arrangements can be carried out by an Educational Psychologist or by the qualified specialist teachers within the department. The most appropriate examination concessions for each student will be applied in school and public exams. Additional time, use of readers, scribes and word processors can all be considered where specific difficulties exist.

Charges:
Please note that additional charges apply for Learning Support lessons, speech and language therapy, teacher assessments and examination support. Further details are available on application.