Learning Support at Grainville School

Grainville is an inclusive school, committed to enabling all students to achieve their potential through a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that inspires, motivates and challenges. The Special Educational Needs Department supports staff and students across the curriculum and also provides additional learning support for identified students.

How are students identified for learning support?

Year 6:
In the Spring and Summer Term of Year 6, the ENCo and Head of Year 7 visit the primary schools to meet the Year 6 teachers and students. This enables the early identification of students who require learning support and for the necessary planning to take place.

Year 7:
In Year 7 all students take a reading, spelling and numeracy test in the autumn term. In addition, they also take the CATs (Cognitive Ability Test).

Year 9:
All students take the CATs test in the autumn term. From 2010, all students will also take a reading, spelling and numeracy test.

Referral by a member of staff or parent/ carer:
If staff or parents/ carers are concerned about a student’s progress and believe that they may benefit from additional learning support, they may contact the ENCo to discuss further.

What Learning Support does the school provide?

Year 6
Some students may have an extended transition period and visit the school and department several times before the main transition days.

Key Stage 3

Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistants work primarily in the classroom to support student's learning. Occasionally they may work one to one or with small groups away from the classroom.

Literacy
Tutorials are offered to those students who are identified as needing additional help with their literacy skills. These may take place during form time in the morning or during curriculum time for students who need more intensive support. They are held in our well resourced Learning Centre, which includes a reading corner and a suite of computers with an interactive whiteboard.

Basic Skills
Identified students attend basic skills tutorials during curriculum time. These sessions focus on literacy, numeracy and life skills in practical, real life applications.

EAL
Students who have English as an Additional Language are assessed by our EAL teacher. Where appropriate, one to one or small group English lessons may be offered. Peripatetic teachers also come into school to work with our students.

Key Stage 4

Teaching Assistants
As in Key Stage 3, Teaching Assistants continue to work primarily in the classroom to support student's learning. Occasionally, they may provide support in the work place for students following a work related learning programme or during Trident work experience.

Literacy & Basic Skills

In Key Stage 4, students receive up to 3 hours of study support each week. In these sessions, they learn basic study skills such as time management and practical strategies such as mind mapping. They are able to consolidate or catch-up with their class work, course work or homework. In addition they work towards the AQA Adult Literacy qualification.

EAL
In Year 10 and 11, students follow the Cambridge KET qualification. In addition, many of our students will take a GCSE in their first language and after school lessons are offered to help them improve and maintain this.