Learning Support

The Learning Support Department plays a vital role at the Dragon. It assists those for whom work is made more challenging by Dyslexia or similar learning difficulties. The Department works in close conjunction with subject and form takers to ensure that support is provided when and where necessary, and within the context of the broader curriculum. A separate charge is made for this (currently £23.65 per lesson).

The Department has recently moved into new, specially designed rooms, situated in the heart of the school. All those who teach in the department are fully qualified teachers with classroom experience and have an additional qualification in teaching children with Specific Learning Difficulties as recognised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DfES).

Referrals

Children will be referred to the department by tutors, or subject takers, if there are concerns that they are having more difficulties in the classroom than their peers. These difficulties could be in a variety of areas including spelling, reading, number, organisation, presentation and lay out of work, or study skills. Children for whom English is an additional language may also be referred for support.

A referral form is sent to all of the child's takers so that there is an opportunity for a full picture of strengths and weaknesses to be obtained. The Head of Learning Support, Jan Rimmer, will then carry out an assessment, having first requested permission to do so from the parents. Following this, a copy of the assessment is sent to the child's parents and tutor, along with an invitation to meet with Jan Rimmer for a discussion.

If the conclusion is reached that help is needed from the Learning Support Department, then the number of lessons per week is decided. The maximum number of lessons currently on offer is two per week. These can be individual, or shared with another child, or a combination of both.

Feedback

Full reports are written at the end of the Christmas and Summer terms. There is a parents evening in the Christmas Term for E Block (Year 4), A Block (Year 8), and pupils new to the department. There is a second parents evening in the Easter Term for all other children. However, parents are encouraged to email, or telephone, to discuss any concerns as they arise. They can also make an appointment to come in and meet their child's Learning Support teacher at any time.

History

It is essential that parents give the Learning Support Department copies of any Educational Psychologist's, or other, assessments carried out on their child prior to their entry to the Dragon. The department will also need to receive copies of any assessments carried out while the child is at the school if they are not arranged by the school.

Other Support

• Handwriting: A clinic operates once a week to which children can be referred by their subject takers or tutors. This is to help those who are finding writing neatly problematical for a variety of reasons. Children are taught in a small group, and help is given appropriate to their individual needs. There is no charge for this, but children are expected to attend once a week (8.15 - 8.50am), usually for a term.
• MAP (Motor Activity Programme): The Department runs a course for those children who are assessed as likely to benefit from such support. They attend three sessions per week, for one term. Children are taught by specially trained teachers in a small group. A charge is made for this - currently £92.
• Group Sessions: SRA (Reading Laboratory): A clinic is run once a week (8.15 - 8.50). There is no charge for this. This clinic is for those children who require more practice with their reading comprehension skills than can be offered in class. Children are referred by their Learning Support teacher and usually attend for a term.
• Outside Help: External assessment is sought where appropriate, but only after full discussions with the parents. We have lists of people known to us, who know the school well, such as Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavioural Optometrists and Speech Therapists. Arrangements can be made for these assessments to be done in school, and parents are then billed directly.

For further information contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Head of Learning Support