Learning Link – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Department

Welcome to the SEND department homepage

Introduction

This department is led by Mrs E Griffiths with the support of two specialist SEN teachers.  There is also a team comprising of a HLTA, Learning Support Specialists and Learning Support Assistants.

We are located within the Learning Link department where we have three dedicated teaching rooms and a break out space.

What we do:

The department provide support for students who have additional learning needs as specified in the SEN Code of Practice.  The four categories are:

• Cognition and learning difficulties
• Communication and interaction difficulties
• Sensory and physical difficulties
• Social, emotional and mental health difficulties

The interventions and support packages on offer are personalised to meet the student’s individual needs.

The Graduated Response

In line with the SEN Code of Practice, the school follow a graduated response to intervention:

Quality First Teaching All teachers are made aware of student’s specific needs and therefore plan and differentiate their lessons accordingly. All students have access to pastoral support through our Student Support Department and their year teams.

SEN Support This may include small group intervention, such as a registration intervention sessions or access to a Learning Support Assistant for targeted support within a lesson.

SEN Support with External Agencies Further investigation, support or intervention is required to accurately identify the student’s needs and ensure that an effective support plan is implemented within school.

Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) The school will work with parents to apply for an assessment and based on all of the evidence submitted the Local Authority will decide whether to issue a plan.  The school will hold an annual review meeting each year to monitor the student’s progress against the planned outcomes.

Specialist Intervention and Support

The support available includes:

Key stage 3

• The ‘Inspire, Challenge, Achieve’ Curriculum is designed to support students who enter The Holt School below national age related expectations. Students are taught in smaller teaching groups for all humanities subjects and English.  All students cover the same curriculum content; however, the ICA group have a higher adult to student ratio to accelerate student progress.
• Registration intervention sessions are delivered by our Learning Support Specialist team. This includes specialist intervention packages for Literacy and Numeracy needs.
• Learning support is available in lessons for students identified as requiring SEN Support or for those with an Education and Healthcare Plan.
• The department have a specialist nurture assistant to offer mentoring to students struggling with social, emotional or mental health needs.

Key stage 4

• ASDAN and Health and Social Care Level 1 are offered across two GCSE option blocks (10 hours) for students unable to access GCSE courses. Further information about ASDAN can be found on the ASDAN website.
• Learning support may be offered in specific subject areas based on need.
• Extended work experience placements may form part of a personalised curriculum package.
• Registration intervention sessions are offered to focus on study skills and revision techniques.
• After school English revision sessions are offered to selected year 11 students.
• Personalised revision timetables are offered during the study leave period.

External Agency Support

The school work closely with a range of external agencies who provide specialist support and advice for individual students depending on their needs.  These agencies include:

• Educational Psychology Service
• CAMHS
• Counselling services
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Berkshire Sensory Consortium
• ASSIST

Assessment and monitoring

All students complete a screening test to identify if they need any additional support.  Students needing support are also identified in liaison with class teachers, parents and where appropriate external professionals.  All interventions are targeted to a specific need using the assess, plan, do review model.  Students who require ongoing support and intervention are placed on the SEN register.

The SEN register is regularly reviewed in line with the SEN Code of Practice.

Contact

If you have any further questions then please contact: learninglink@holt.wokingham.sch.uk