Learning Support
Learning Support (SEN)
Department Overview
The Learning Support department is based in the Progress Base, in A block. This is where students might come for one-to-one work, group activities or if they want a quieter, calm environment at break or lunchtime. There are 8 Learning Support Assistants working alongside students and staff.
The LSAs mostly work with students who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in their normal lessons. This might involve helping the student to understand their classwork, differentiating work to their individual needs, liaising with teaching staff to provide guidance on specific needs, or using dedicated planning time to prepare specific resources. Our LSAs are most likely to help in subjects where there is a lot of reading or writing, or where a student might need additional help to make expected progress.
Students may also have one-to-one or small group sessions, when an LSA works with them on various skills including reading, spelling, comprehension and numeracy. We are able to adapt the interventions we use to support the individual pupil’s needs. We run Nurture and Social Skills groups in Key Stage 3 and also offer one-to-one support for students needing further emotional or social guidance. We offer support to students whose first language is not English, guided by our designated EAL coordinator. We run a Homework Club after school on several days. Students are welcome to attend this whenever they need extra help with their homework.
The progress that students make is monitored in a number of different ways. Targets are set for students to work on during their one-to-one lessons in the SEN department, and also across the curriculum. We test students to identify needs early on in Year 7, and then continue to test those students we work with to ensure our interventions are helping the student to make expected progress in all their subjects. We use whole-school data about progress and attainment to identify particular areas of need across the school. When students make the necessary progress, they may no longer need to attend one-to-one lessons. However, we will continue to monitor them closely and ensure they are making expected progress in their subject areas.
If you have any questions about the Learning Support Department or anything related to your child's learning, please do not hesitate to contact the SENDCO at school, Mrs Victoria Crowe vcrowe@fernhillschool.org.uk
Useful websites and information:
The British Dyslexia Association
Hampshire County Council Special Educational Needs Service
Mencap - "the voice of learning disability"
Phonics4free - help your child to read using the phonics system