Learning Support

We assess all children with nationally standardised materials. This is to help us to see that children are making appropriate progress and to diagnose particular strengths and weaknesses. (Of course we also place great weight on the evidence from children's day-to-day work, as a test result may not always be the best indicator of a young child's ability).

All children are special but some have particular skills, which are developed early to an unusual degree. Others need additional help to master some aspects of their learning. For both groups we provide a range of materials and teacher support in the classroom.

We are often able to provide additional specialist help in the classroom so that children have extra support for their class work across the complete ability range. The class teacher and learning support teacher work together on common targets, which the children understand they are aiming to achieve. The learning support teacher also withdraws individuals or small groups for lessons with specific targets. Discussion of each child's specific needs takes place formally at parents' evenings or at other mutually agreeable times as is deemed necessary.

Towards the end of Year 1 if a child appears to have a specific learning difficulty, and would benefit from continued further support in Year 2, the parents are contacted and their permission is sought. We offer individual support or help in a small group with a specialist teacher. (The Dragon charges extra for these lessons in Year 2 and above). A boost at this critical stage can help tremendously and be beneficial in other contexts too. The Learning Support teachers at Lynams have strong links with the Learning Support Department at the Dragon.