Learning Support

Meeting the needs of students with learning difficulties-information for parents

Who are we?

The Learning Support Team Leader is Mrs Cathryn Beswetherick

The Learning Support team consists of:
Mrs. Baker: a specialist literacy teacher.
Dr. Richardson and Mrs. Aston who are HLTA and are Learning Support Co-coordinators who have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Learning Support department.

A team of twelve teaching assistants who are usually attached to a curriculum area and support students in mainstream lessons.

The ASD Team consists of:
Mrs Haines: specialist English teacher.
Mrs. Kelleher a HLTA who runs social skills lessons within the ASD Enhanced Provision
Mrs Haynes HLTA within the ASD Enhanced Provision who has responsibility for running a Life Skills Programme.

A team of five teaching assistants who work predominantly with students who have an ASD.

How do we view barriers to learning?
We know that everyone, at some time in their life, will have difficulties with learning something new. Sometimes, these barriers to learning will be easily overcome but sometimes extra support will be needed. Our aim is to give that support so that we work with students and their families to break down barriers to learning and participation.

What is the ASD Enhanced Provision?
The ASD Enhanced Provision supports students who have been diagnosed as having an autistic spectrum disorder or have communication and interaction difficulties. Placements are awarded by the local authority to students who have a statement of special needs specifying an autistic spectrum disorder and who can access mainstream activities for a significant percentage of the timetable.

Students who have a placement within our ASD Enhanced Provision will also have access to specialist teaching including social skills lessons, they also have access to the provision at break and lunchtime.

How do we work?
We believe that all our students have the right to access all the learning experiences that our College has to offer. We know that our staff at BC are highly skilled and effective teachers and that they know best how to teach their classes. We also know that many of our students want to learn with their classmates and do not want to be taken out of lessons. We therefore put most of our resources into providing teaching assistants to work alongside students in the subjects on their timetable. In this way, the students have the specialist teaching from the class teacher plus extra support to help them from the teaching assistant. All our teachers are aware of the students in their classes who may struggle with aspects of learning.

Some students, particularly if they have just arrived from primary school, find homework a challenge. We offer homework help at lunchtime four days a week.