Special Educational Needs
We screen all the new Year 7 pupils for reading comprehension, placing the less able students on the 'Rainbow Reading' Intervention Programme. We cover all other aspects of literacy, such as spelling, speaking, listening and phonics. Some of these students may continue to attend programmes in Year 8, depending on need. This year, we are introducing Numeracy Intervention Programmes.
In Years 9, 10 and 11 we follow the Alternative Curriculum option, where students are entered for AQA Entry Level English, AQA PSHE Level 1 and BTEC Work Skills Certificates. Students are supported with coursework to take some pressure off and allow more time for completion.
The Curriculum Support area is open to vulnerable students at break and lunchtimes. Teaching Assistants organise lunchtime clubs including crafts, board games and watching DVDs. After-College clubs cater for small groups of students to help improve reading and spelling skills and support homework.
Teaching Assistants offer in-class support for our SEN students across the curriculum and the College population. For Statemented and School Action Plus students we organise mentoring sessions with a TA. Individual Education Plans (IEP) targets are discussed and reviewed with the student three times a year and are sent home to parents. At the end of Year 9 we screen students for Access Arrangements in their GCSE exams and then liaise closely with the Exams Officer to offer extra time, scribes and readers. We repeat this process with students in Year 12.
We interact with Local Authority professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language therapists, Hearing and Vision Impairment advisory teachers, Social Interaction and Communication Difficulties advisory teacher and Mobility advisors. All information and recommendations are passed to teaching staff and posted on the shared facility, ensuring effective liasion and communication about every student.
Please click here to view our SEN Report
Please click here to view our Accessibility Plan
Resources on Dyslexia
We recently held a Parent Support Session to share information regarding dyslexic learners. Ian Abbott, our Specific Learning Difficulties Adviser lead the session, sharing his knowledge of dyslexia and discussing the different approaches that can be taken to encourage reading for learning and for pleasure. The resources used in the session are here.
adhdandyou.co.uk This easy to use website offers advice, tips and free tools for all those affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
St. Joseph's Local Offer
The local offer details how the College will provide support for all children who have a special educational need or are disabled. This may involve other agencies and specialists. Parents are involved with what support is made available and how.
Click here to view the St. Joseph's Local Offer