Learning Support Department

What is a Special Education Need?

If a pupil finds it difficult to read, spell, understand maths, communicate or perhaps gets into trouble in school, she may need extra help beyond that which she would normally get in class. These pupils are said to have a 'Special Educational Need'.

Individual Education Plans

Pupils on School Action, School Action Plus or who have a statement of Special Educational Need, may have an IEP or a Group Individual Education Plan. This will highlight the difficulties and strengths of the pupil; it will give targets for the pupil to work towards and strategies that will be adopted by the teachers.

Mentors

Each pupil on the Special Needs register has a mentor from the Learning Support staff. This teacher or learning support assistant will meet with your daughter, draw up the IEP and monitor her progress.

Staff

The Learning Support Department currently has five teaching staff and four Learning Support Assistants. All of the teaching staff have expertise in a particular area of the curriculum. All staff are constantly updating their knowledge through in-service training.

Head of Faculty - Mrs. K. Peacock
Deputy Leader - Mrs. E. Ellis
Mrs. E. Hanks
Mrs. E. Rippin
Mrs. N. Evans
Mrs J Willis
Mrs D Ray-Mathur
Mrs L Daniels
Mrs J Ducker

Rooms and resources

The department has three rooms, two of which offer multi-media computers. We are well resourced with a wide variety of material to help pupils at all levels.

How does the Learning Support Department help your daughter....

Liaison with Primary Schools

The head of year 7 and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, visit all the primary schools to liaise with class teachers and SENCOs. They also lipase with the borough, Transition Worker, Behavioural Support Team and Learning Support Team.

Who gets extra help?

Pupils who are below National Curriculum Level 4. These girls will probably have a reading and/or spelling level of less than 9 years. Some may also have difficulty with numeracy
Pupils with a disability
Pupils with emotional or behavioural difficulties.
Pupils with a Statement of Special Education Needs.

What sort of help is available....

Nurture Groups

The pupils with the greatest difficulties in year 7 join a transition Nurture Group where they explore, social interaction, organisation and have support coping with the school setting.

Speech and Language Groups

Where educational Psychologists reports, highlight a need for specific speech and language programmes, girls are withdrawn for a specific period of time.

Withdrawal Groups

Some of our pupils require more specific help with basic skills. A number of girls are withdrawn from the second modern language in years 8 and 9 and from Key Stage 3 English reading lessons particularly in ear 7.

Option Support Groups

A small number of girls drop a GCSE option in years 10 and 11. The time is then spent with a teacher in the Learning Support Department, working on coursework to achieve the best possible grades.

In-Class Support

Much of our work takes place within the mainstream classroom, where we aim to give the girls access to the curriculum, by working closely with subject teachers.

Help outside lessons

The girls are always welcome to spend time, during break and lunch, in our base. There is always a member of staff available to discus problems, help with homework or just offer a listening ear.

Helping to improve behaviour

The Learning Support Department works closely with all year leaders, to assist girls with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Work with Outside Agencies

The Learning Support Department works closely with the psychology service, which is based in the Grove. We also have regular contact with the Education Welfare Service, Social Services, Connexions, the Behavioural Support Service, our school Health Sister and the adviser for Equal Opportunities, Traveler and Ethnic Minority Achievement.

Parents and Carers are Welcome

At Carshalton High School for Girls we try wherever possible to include parents in any discussion about what is best for their daughters. Please feel free to telephone at any time to talk about what we are doing for your daughter or to arrange a meeting with your daughter's mentor.

If you are concerned about your daughter's progress, the first person you should contact is either your child's tutor or the Head of Year. For specific learning support issues, you may wish to speak to Mrs Peacock (Head of Learning Support Faculty).

The Special needs Policy

This page provides a summary of the provision the school makes for pupils with special needs. More detail is given in the school Special Needs Policy. A copy of this can be obtained from the school.