About the Learning Support Department

SENCO—Mr J Lewis

Assistant SENCO – Mrs A Simmons

Ercall Wood has a special needs department consisting of 6 teaching rooms, an open plan area and 2 administration offices.

We have 11 Higher Level Teaching Assistants, 6 further teaching assistants and a Special Needs coordinator.

We have considerable experience and expertise in meeting the needs of students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, ADHD, visual impairment, hearing impairment and other difficulties with literacy and numeracy

Transition
A full programme is put into place to make the transition from primary to secondary school as smooth and stress free as possible both for the child and parents!

Support
Each student with a Statement of special educational needs or a particular level of need has a Key worker

Teaching and Learning
We teach children in small groups for English, Mathematics, Life Skills and Personal, Social & Health Education.

Other Support Available
We keep in regular contact with parents by phone call, e-mail, or any other agreed means if this is thought necessary
Please Feel Free to contact the Learning Support Department
Tel 01952 387313

This involves special needs staff working with primary colleagues in year 6: organising planning meetings, talking to parents and additional pupil visits to Ercall Wood prior to the taster days.

Key workers meet regularly with the pupil, liaise with home and subject teachers and generally look after the day to day welfare of the child.

Some pupils require a high level of supervision and care throughout the day. They are able to spend unstructured times (Break, Lunch, before and after school) being supervised in the Learning Support Department if necessary

If students find GCSE examinations too difficult they follow Entry Level courses in subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Life Skills and PSHE.

We adapt the timetable for some children to best meet their needs. We may withdraw them from certain subjects for extra literacy or numeracy tuition all with the agreement of the parents and child

There is the provision for children taught in the department to have help after school with homework until 4.15pm under the supervision of HLTAs.

Some students with particular issues in school can be seen by our Learning Mentor (Miss Warrington) if needed.

All our students enjoy attending the Learning Support Department. We have found that it is important for children with special educational needs to have a “base” within a large secondary school to build their confidence and to help to make their secondary school experience a happy and successful time.