The Learning Support Department is based in the Cardinal Hume Centre (office base) and the Cardinal’s Suite (classroom base). The Head of Learning Support is Mrs Nikki Wells who is available to meet with prospective and current parents to discuss the SEN support provided by the College. She leads a very experienced team of one specialist teacher and two teaching assistants.
The College welcomes visiting practitioners from outside agencies, such as educational psychologists, speech, language and communication therapists, sensory impairment specialists and counsellors. Following consultation with parents, support from these and other external practitioners can be arranged for students according to individual need.
What we do
St Edmund’s College is an inclusive school and offers provision to support students with specific needs. There is an expectation that all students, irrespective of their needs, should be offered inclusive teaching and learning which will enable them to progress in school and beyond to the best of their ability. We use the terminology Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD).
High quality teaching, with suitable differentiation, will meet the needs of the majority of our students. Some students will need support which is ‘additional to’ and ‘different from’ that which is provided for the majority of students: this is special educational provision. All students with special educational needs will be fully integrated into all mainstream lessons and all aspects of College life. All teachers at St Edmund’s College should see themselves as teachers of students with special educational needs, following good practice in this area. In-class support is provided by members of the Department: the College does not offer support through withdrawal from other subject lessons.
How we support SEND/LDD
In order to meet the identified need of each pupil at the College, the following support is available:
- Support by class teachers through differentiated classroom strategies
- In-class support from members of the Learning Support Department
- Study Support (offering help with homework) as part of the Enrichment Activities Programme during co-curricular time
- Voluntary lunchtime support for reading comprehension is offered for selected students
Study Skills
Regular ‘Study Skills’ workshops for all students are arranged by the Director of Studies in conjunction with ‘Elevate Education’. This forms part of the on-going Personal, Social and Health Education programme which is delivered by form tutors.
Examination Access Arrangements
The department undertakes specialist assessment and completion of the application of the examination access arrangements within the College. Should parents wish to commission a private assessment (e.g. educational psychologist) this must be discussed prior to the assessment with the Head of Learning support, otherwise, in accordance with JCQ regulations, it cannot be accepted by the College to apply for access arrangements, although it will be accepted as providing details of the student’s learning needs. Further information is available directly from the Head of Learning Support.
Contact:
Mrs N Wells
Head of Learning Support nwells@stedmundscollege.org
01920 824252