Learning Development in Nursery and Pre-Prep
We are fully committed to promoting early identification and support and our child centred, personalised approach acknowledges that all of our pupils learn in different ways.
Initially, the Form Teacher will raise any concerns they may have about a pupil who will then be referred to the Head of Learning Support. Following any observation or assessment that takes place after this referral, the parents will be invited into school to discuss the findings and the next steps. Depending on the needs of the pupil, this may include individual or small group support on a short or long term basis. Arrangements will change as pupils make progress.
Learning Development in the Prep School
All pupils are screened using a Dyslexia Screener as they enter Year 3. The screener is used to give an indication of a pupils strengths and weaknesses and can help identify the likelihood of them having a specific learning difficulty (SpLD). The screener is not a diagnosis but is an accessible way of determining that a pupil may need additional support.
As our pupils move up through the Prep School we begin to focus on the laying down of the fundamental skills needed to live and learn - Executive Functions. Executive Functions encompass a wide range of learning behaviours such as time management, organisation and impulse control.
A focus of our teaching moves to self-regulation and independent study habits in preparation for Senior School life and for success in adult life.
Learning Development in the Senior School
The Learning Development department is central to teaching senior pupils the tools and strategies they need to build self-belief, access the help they need and ultimately to take control of their learning.
We all learn differently and can benefit from opportunities to develop and refine our approach to learning. At this stage of education, Learning Development is not about a session or two a week outside the classroom, but is embedded in every lesson, in every subject for every student. It is not about focusing on the problems of the individual but more positively focusing on the ‘development’ of learning for all.
The Learning Development Department advises on what each pupil needs to do to learn best, spending time in the classrooms to follow up and support with recommended strategies. You see this in practice when in one lesson you observe a pupil reading, a pupil listening to the audio of a text, a pupil dictating an essay, a pupil writing an essay. All may be in the same class and achieving the same objectives, but are learning differently.
Many of our pupils have ‘spiky’ profiles, with high scores in some areas of cognitive functions, but with challenges in other areas. The Learning Development Department does not just provide support where a pupil is finding things difficult, but also advises on areas where pupils can go beyond the curriculum.
Pupils who are in our Monitor category may have had a history of Special Educational Needs, but are now able to function independently without support in or outside of class. We know, however, that these pupils may require Examination Access Arrangements, and therefore we keep them monitored in order to ensure that we have the necessary evidence for these arrangements to be put in place.
The team around the pupil
Based on external assessments, discussions with parents, internal assessments and ongoing monitoring of our pupils, we create learning passports that inform our teaching for each pupil. The Learning Development Department works closely with Teaching Staff and the Pastoral and Academic Teams to ensure that every child’s academic and pastoral needs are understood and met.