Learning Support
A whole school approach is adopted at St Bede’s so that mainstream and specialist staff work together for the benefit of all the pupils with special educational needs. There is a shared responsibility for making the curriculum accessible to all pupils with special needs.
The Specialist Department
Within the Learning Support Department the curriculum is tailored to suit each child’s particular needs. These needs are determined by a detailed assessment of the child’s particular strengths and weaknesses, following which an individual learning programme is devised. Sometimes the special needs of a pupil have been identified prior to entry to the school and then provision is put in place from the onset and reviewed and monitored regularly.
There is a dedicated team of specialist teachers who withdraw children from class for 1:1 or small group sessions at a time that is mutually suitable. There is a multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning and the children benefit from the expertise of the staff, who are aided by the provision of wide and varied up-to-date resources and regular continued professional development.
A qualified, experienced speech and language therapist works as a member of the learning support staff team to provide specialist speech and language therapy assessments and liaison with the school staff and parents for those children who have specific language difficulties.
The team is further strengthened by the specialist services of Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as required. A few children require additional in-class support and are provided with a Learning Support Assistant.
The department is fully integrated into the school and consists of a suite of designated rooms. It is open access and the children are encouraged to come for help when they need it.
Work is usually carried out in one or a combination of the following areas:
- Spelling
- Reading
- Writing
- Motor skills
- Use of the computer
- Listening and memory skills
- Language and communication
- Mathematics
Learning Support in Year 6
The Curriculum builds on basic skills to prepare the children for a more independent learning style in Year 7. The children are no longer taught mainly in one class base and need help to organise their time and learn to work with a variety of different specialist teachers.
Learning Support in Year 7
The Curriculum continues to build on basic literacy and numeracy skills with a strong emphasis on supporting the mainstream curriculum.
Children have support for project work, developing writing, writing up visit reports, preparing for extended essays and examinations. Where appropriate children are now encouraged to use a personal laptop computer in class.
Learning Support in Year 8
In this important year, prior to transition to senior school, the drive for competence in literacy and numeracy continues. There is an emphasis on development of independent learning skills such as study skills, revision techniques, organisational skills and exam preparation.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the learning support provision please contact Janet Jenion at the school on +44(0)1323 746446 or e-mail Janet Jenion janet.jenion@stbedesschool.org
