Specialist Learning Support
Enabling every child to fulfil their unique potential, both in and out of the classroom.
Learning support for children with specific learning needs is an integral part of the ethos and teaching of the school, and enables every child to fulfil their potential, through their own style of learning both in and out of the classroom.
Teaching staff are responsible for the differentiation and implementation of SEND targets and learning resources, such as laptops, reader pens and speech-to-text, and are guided by Mrs Caroline Ainsworth, SENDCO, who works alongside them and their pupils in the classroom.
The Learning Support Department offers one-to-one teaching by specialist teachers, who provide an individual curriculum to those children who require teaching that is additional to, and different from, existing classroom provision. The department has a classroom with a variety of multi-sensory teaching resources and games as well as computer aids and voice recognition software.
Our learning support follows the SEND Code of Practice 2014 and implements the Graduated Approach of assessing the needs of the child, planning to support those needs, implementing appropriate strategies and interventions, and regularly reviewing the provision and the well-being of the child with their parents and carers.
We offer diagnostic standardised assessments to assess a child’s strengths and challenges. A Pupil Passport is produced to guide our teaching staff in the teaching strategies required to best support individual children in the classroom.
Individual Provision Maps (IPMs) record personal targets to aid pupil progress resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem, and a weekly whole-staff Pupil Meeting allows teachers to discuss individual children’s learning and emotional needs and to review strategies that have been implemented from pupil Individual Provision Maps.
A visit is warmly encouraged to get a feel for our provision and to discuss the best-fit support for your child.
FAQs
How do I know if my child needs learning support?
Some children may show signs such as difficulty with reading, concentration, memory, or confidence. We work with parents to assess these needs early and discuss whether additional support may be helpful.
Will my child be separated from their classmates if they receive learning support?
Not neccessarily. Most learning support takes place within the classroom environment, with personalised resources and occasional one-to-one or small-group sessions to reinforce learning in a supportive setting.
What qualifications do your learning support staff have?
Our learning support staff are highly qualified and experienced in supporting a range of learning needs. The team is led by a qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo). We also have Specialist EAL (English as an Additional Language) teachers to support pupils whose first language is not English. Staff regularly update their skills through professional development, ensuring they provide the most effective support tailored to each child’s needs.
Can you support children with dyslexia or speech and language needs?
Yes. All lessons are taught with a dyslexia-friendly approach, which supports not only pupils with dyslexia but benefits the whole class. Children are given access to appropriate technology where needed to help them learn effectively, and we work closely with Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) services to provide targeted intervention. This ensures support is tailored, practical and well matched to each child’s needs.
How are parents kept informed about their child’s progress?
Parents are kept well informed through clear, ongoing communication. Each pupil has a Pupil Passport that outlines their individual needs and the strategies teachers use to support them, and this is updated regularly as they progress. Special needs targets are recorded on Individual Provision Maps (IPMs), which are reviewed and shared with families at parents’ evenings. This helps everyone stay aligned and ensures support remains effective and up to date.
Does learning support affect my child’s ability to join senior schools like Malvern College?
Learning support is not a barrier to joining Malvern College, but we do look carefully at each child’s needs to ensure the transition would be the right fit. Our staff work closely with families to understand whether a pupil will be able to adapt to and thrive within Malvern College’s timetable, pace and approach to teaching. The aim is always to find the environment where each child can make strong progress and feel confident.