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At Cromwell Community College we are committed to meeting the educational needs of all our pupils. Learning Support caters for the needs of all students with special educational needs both with and without statements. Learning Support strives to address the needs of:

• Students with specific learning needs
• Students with both long and short term learning difficulties
• Students with short term emotional and behavioural difficulties

Staff plan, set and mark work which is appropriate and relevant to the needs of all students. The College has adopted the model of special educational needs assessment and provision recommended by the Code of Practice from the Department for Education. The Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is responsible for overseeing relevant assessment and provision. The Department has 19 Teaching Assistants and a Head of Learning Support, who is also the SENCO.

Most of the support work in accessing the curriculum is done in class, supporting children with statements but also those without statements who may need some support. Support is provided over all age groups and subject areas.

In addition to the in-class support mentioned above, support staff deliver ‘The Corrective Reading Programme’ to those students who have considerable difficulties in reading and general literacy. This intervention programme is designed to improve reading ages at the basic level through a ‘direct teaching approach’, teaching students through rehearsal and over learning techniques. Students are taught in small groups and sometimes on an individual basis.

Students with special educational needs are encouraged to become increasingly independent and take responsibility within the College. Learning Support provides assistance for students within the classroom, advice for staff on appropriate materials and strategies and withdrawal of individuals or small groups for specific activities. The name of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is Mr. R. Whitehand.

Learning Support values working in partnership with all parents. We will seek to involve parents/carers in all decisions about their children.

“Care, guidance and support are good. The school has an inclusive and caring ethos that supports pupils’ welfare consistently well as they progress through the school”. OFSTED - November 2008