Learning Support

At St Mary’s School we recognise that all our girls have the potential to succeed in their studies. Each girl is considered as an individual and provision is tailored to her own unique characteristics and needs and an inclusive practice is adopted. We have excellent adult/pupil ratios with both teaching assistants and often extra qualified teachers for core subjects.

We recognise how important it is that professionals listen to parents and take account of their perceptions of their child. Every effort is made to encourage parents to be involved in their child's education. Regular opportunities are provided to discuss children's needs and progress and we have an open door policy, which welcomes parents to discuss any concern they may have about their daughter. Wherever possible, an individual's preferred learning style (auditory, visual or kinaesthetic) will be taken into account when planning a programme of support. We value the girls' views about their education and they are consulted about the provision being made for them in a way that is consistent with their age and level of understanding.

Class Support

In many lessons support is provided by an additional adult to help pupils with tasks set by the teacher. The adult may support pupils around the classroom or sometimes a group of girls may sit together so that more intensive help can be focussed on those individuals for a particular task. This allows pupils to easily access the support of an adult during their lessons, which enables them to achieve further success in their work whatever their ability level.

Group Support

Where a small group of girls have been identified as having a similar need, the SENCO or an adult under the supervision of the class teacher may work on a specific skill while supporting the task set for the lesson.

Individual Support

Where a child has specific needs that can only be catered for on an individual basis, we work with parents to establish whether extra help from an external tutor may benefit. Sometimes we may offer individual tutoring in the short term to boost particular skills in reading, spelling, mathematics, comprehension, handwriting or listening. This support is delivered by the class teacher, the SENCO or an adult under their supervision and generally takes place in the classroom.

All support provision is reviewed each term and can be adjusted at any point during the term if the need arises.

LEARNING SUPPORT IN SENIOR HOUSE

Learning Support is available all girls to help maximise their potential. It is offered to individuals (mainly those girls with Educational Psychologist reports), to groups and sometimes to whole classes.

Class Support

Whole class lessons are given on Study Skills. This includes time management, organisation, note-taking methods and revision techniques.

Group Support

Groups of girls in Years 6 and 7 have early morning spelling sessions, where a structured phonetic approach is followed. Girls in Year 8 are offered Extra English lessons throughout the year.

Individual Support

Individual guidance is offered mainly to those Year 10 and 11 girls preparing for public examinations who have been identified as needing extra support. These sessions take place before school, during lunch hours or during girls’ study periods. The girls know that they can use these slots in whatever way is most helpful to them. Occasionally this may require a pastoral role from Learning Support staff, but generally the help given is with academic work (e.g. reading a text, practising for French oral exams, going over a unit of work that has not been fully understood). Some girls opt for lessons in touch-typing while others ask for help with general study skills. Individual Education Plans are written for girls who are seen individually. These are given to parents and teaching staff and can be a helpful reminder to all concerned about an individual’s particular issues. In the summer term the focus is very much on how to revise efficiently and effectively for examinations.

The Learning Support room is a user-friendly place where girls are encouraged to drop in if they have any concerns, academic or otherwise. There is also a timetabled “clinic” for any girl who needs an occasional bit of help. Our aim continues to be that of raising pupils’ achievement and self-esteem by providing them with personal strategies and encouragement to enable them to succeed.