Learning Support at Ackworth School
Our dedicated Learning Support Department is there to help your child, whether they are identified with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) or just to go over a certain area of learning.
It’s our aim to ensure that pupils with SEND have the maximum opportunity to achieve and succeed in line with their peers. Timetable adjustments, in class or out of class support, and exam arrangements can, and are, frequently made to support a level playing field.
Sometimes pupils just need some short interventions to understand a part of a subject that they are finding difficult to master. Others may need a higher level of adjustments in order to support them, their broader learning aims and their preparation for life and work.
Some pupils either have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or, if appropriate, apply for them with help from the Assistant Head (Inclusive Learning and SENCo).
An important part of the pupil’s journey may be adjustments to testing and examinations. Through the Examination Access Arrangement process, your child may, following assessment, be granted extra time, a reader, scribe etc.
While, through the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle, we will identify these needs throughout key stage 3, and discuss them with you. We will assess at the end of 3rd Form (Year 9) to see if there is any continuing need for exam adjustments throughout your child’s GCSEs.
Each child is unique and may require specific adjustments. If you wish to discuss your child’s needs in a more bespoke and personalised ways, please call Ackworth school and ask to speak to Learning Support.
The Bridge
The Bridge is a newly developed provision and is part of the Senior School.
B (Belonging): Creating a sense of being part of a community.
R (Respect): Valuing every individual and treating everyone with dignity.
I (Inclusion): Ensuring that everyone is included and their voices are heard.
D (Diversity): Embracing and celebrating differences in all forms.
G (Growth): Encouraging personal and collective development.
E (Equality): Promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all.
Pupils being supported by Bridge provision will benefit from:
- Full access to all that Ackworth School has to offer, including subject-specialist teaching, excellent sport, music, drama, visual arts and recreational facilities, clubs & societies and outstanding pastoral care.
- A safe and supportive environment staffed by a dedicated team, including the Assistant Head (Inclusive Learning and SENCo), the Engagement Lead and Learning Support Mentors.
- A flexible and individual timetable to allow for 1:1 and small group interventions within the Bridge provision, based on needs identified through the consultation/assessment process.
- Support from a dyslexia specialist and access to Lexia, an online programme designed to improve reading competence for pupils of all ages and abilities.
- Termly speech and language assessments and subsequent progress reports.
- Support from our qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistants.
- Half termly counselling sessions with our qualified counsellor. Additional sessions can be arranged if required.
- Access to the Wellbeing Hub, staffed by our Designated Safeguarding Lead (qualified social worker), Wellbeing Officer, attendance officer, school nurse, visiting school GP and school counsellor.
- The option of studying alternative qualifications, such as Functional Skills in English, Mathematics and Digital Skills.
- Exam access arrangement and exam registration costs included in fees.
- Travel to/from Ackworth School to/from an agreed location.
- Wrap-around-care from 7:45am to 6:00pm.
For pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and for those with an Education, Health & Care plan (EHCP), suitability of placement will be assessed by the SENCo.
Ackworth School is non-selective, but the SENCo will ensure that:
- The placement is suitable for the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the young person
- The attendance of the young person is compatible with the provision of efficient education of others
- The attendance of the young person is compatible with the efficient use of resources
Following a formal consultation, we will arrange visits, taster days and informal assessments.
Please note that consultations for placement in Autism Resource should be sent to: SENDenquiries@ackworthschool.com
