Student Support

The Learning Support Department is a large and dynamic team of teachers and teaching and learning support assistants, who aim to support any student who has a recognised learning difficulty.

All students who have a statement of Special Educational Need are supported according to their legal entitlement.  Other students with learning concerns are supported in the classroom by Teaching and Learning Support Assistants.  Some students follow an alternative vocational curriculum, which involves attending local colleges or following a COPE course.

The Department also includes a specialist Learning Mentor and some staff are based in the Learning Centre, which caters for students with EBD.

Students who need help to develop literacy skills follow the Read Write Ink programme, which is delivered by a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA).

Key Stage 4 students who need extra support to complete BTEC courses, study in Learning Support under the guidance of two experienced HLTAs.

A specialist teacher is employed to undertake assessments and apply for access arrangements to enable GCSE students to fully access the examination papers.