LEARNING SUPPORT AT KENT COLLEGE, CANTERBURY
The Learning Support Department at Kent College, provides support for students with different Learning Needs, from average to high ability and across all year groups. Our highly qualified team of teaching staff receive regular training on meeting the needs of pupils with a Special Educational need. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCO) ensures all teachers are aware of the needs of the pupils in their classrooms in order to inform Quality First Teaching.
Most importantly, the Learning Support Centre offers students somewhere they can feel comfortable; feel supported and feel understood. For many of our students, we are the first port of call if they need someone to talk to. This is due to the relationships we have built with them and the fact they know they are always welcome and we will always listen. The Department is located in the heart of the school ensuring it is easily accessible to pupils throughout the day. There are 5 small classrooms to enable small group teaching and 1:1 provision.
REGISTERING FOR KENT COLLEGE
Before registering your child for a place at Kent College we recommend that you contact us with details about any learning support requirements that your child may have and provide us with any reports or assessments that have been completed. These will be reviewed with our SENDCO Mrs Wade, who may then also want to meet with you. In this way we can ensure that Kent College can cater for your child's needs and work with you to deliver the best provision possible.
WHAT WE OFFER
Quality First Teaching in all classes and subject clinics will meet the classroom needs of the majority of students. Teaching staff receive additional training on meeting the needs of pupils with a Special Educational need in the classroom and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCO) ensures all teachers are aware of the needs of the pupils in their classrooms in order to inform Quality First Teaching. In addition to staff training, teaching staff receive a SEND strategy of the week, have access to SEND strategy folders and ongoing support from Learning Support Team leaders for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, Autism and Hearing Impairment. All students with an identified Learning Need are added to the school SEND register, a working document which is shared with all teaching staff.
All students identified with a Learning Need will have:
- An individualised Pen Portrait* with identified key worker
- Specialist Lead/Mentor as required
- Specialist Google Classroom (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia) with updates and support
- Access to the Learning Support Centre (LSC) facilities
- Learning Support Dog
- Access to touch typing club (sign up)
For Year 10-13:
- Exams Access Google classroom
- Exams Access clinics
- Invite to Study Skills Clinic
Only pupils with an EHCP will have specific SEND targets included on the pen-portrait. All other targets are set by subject teachers.
*Pen-Portraits
Using our individualised approach, we create a personal pen-portrait using diagnostic reports and pupil voice. These are written alongside the pupils, and are reviewed as needed. All teaching staff have open access to Pen Portraits to ensure need is met in the classroom and to inform target setting. The pen-portraits include individualised information about what pupils find challenging and strategies teachers should use where possible to support learning and to meet need. Our aim is to promote independent learning therefore we encourage students to identify strategies that they should develop to support their own learning.
| Learning Support Group Provision |
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Some students may opt for additional support in the form of Learning Support Classes (LSC) rather than learning a foreign language, which is charged at an additional termly fee. These classes are taught by qualified specialist teachers in the Learning Support Department. The groups are kept small in order to allow targeted support and have 3-6 pupils per group. Pupils who attend the Learning Support Classes have 1 single lesson a week of learning support mathematics in the Learning Support Department taught by a Maths specialists.
In addition, in year 8, the department is also able to offer British Sign Language (BSL) as an alternative to languages, giving students the opportunity to learn a language using visual and kinesthetic learning and without the need to focus on written language at all.
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| 1:1 Bespoke Provision |
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1:1 support is provided for those in years 10 and 11, who require a more bespoke and targeted approach, charged at the published fees. These sessions are taught by qualified, specialist teachers who tailor support to the individual needs of the student and their curriculum, in cooperation with the class teachers. This can include mentoring, study skills, literacy and numeracy support and consolidation of subject specific vocabulary.Specialist and Bespoke Provision fees can be found via the link below:
SENIOR SCHOOL FEES
"Across the school, the achievement of pupils with EAL or SEND is strong and at least in line with that of their peers because of the care taken to identify their particular needs and the provision of high levels of support."
- THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE (ISI)
MEET OUR HEAD OF LEARNING SUPPORT
The Department is led by our highly qualified SENDCO, Mrs Sally Wade.
With over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience, Sally brings a wealth of expertise to our team.
She has a strong background in modern language teaching and has served as a SENCO for more than 9 years in both the state and independent sectors.
As a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs, Sally brings a personal commitment to addressing the needs of our students.
She holds the National SENCo Level 7 Award and Dyslexia Specialist Teacher Qualification at Level 7, and is a qualified Modern Language Teacher.
OUR LEARNING SUPPORT TEAM
SEN Teacher and Dyslexia Lead: Zoe Barker, Dyslexia Specialist (L5)
SEN Teacher and ADHD Lead: Kay Lewis, SENCO Qualification (L7) & QTS
Exams Access Coordinator: Sharon Baker, (L7) & QTS
HLTA and Dyscalculia Lead: Patrick Watkins, Dyscalculia Specialist (L7) & PGCE
HLTA and Autism Lead: Priscilla Walkington, Dyslexia Specialist (L5) & QTS
HLTA and SEN admin: Jessica Bassant
Our Learning Support Dog: Barlow is a popular member of the team.
EXAM ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS
Under the Equality Act of 2010 schools have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for candidates who have the required knowledge and skills but who can’t demonstrate this in an exam due to a special educational need, disability or temporary injury, such exam access arrangements must not affect the integrity of an exam or give the candidate an unfair advantage.
Exam access arrangements are regulated, in the main, by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
JCQ Parent Guidance Information sheet
TRANSITION
At Kent College, we understand transition to secondary school, or from another Senior school, needs to be thoroughly planned, particularly for students with SEND. To ensure a smooth transition the SENCO and Learning Support Team will:
- Review any diagnostic reports before assessment day
- Contact parents of children with an identified SEND before the assessment day for Yr 6.
- Ensure exam access arrangements (normal way of working) are in place for assessment day
- Liaise with previous school if necessary or requested
- Hold an additional transition day in the summer term
- Begin to create pen-portraits using diagnostic reports
- Visit feeder primary schools where possible
- Hold a SEND information evening for Yr 7 parents in the Autumn term
- Meet with parents as requested
- Organise visits to Learning Support for parents and prospective students if requested
