Learning support / SENCO EAL - Mrs Fiona Heywood

Hendon Prep is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure that all our pupils are able to access the curriculum and work at the top of their ability level. For some of our pupils, this will include additional support from our Learning Support Team, led by specialist coordinator Mrs Heywood.

In our recent Ofsted report, it was recognised that "Support for English as an additional language and for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is outstanding. Teaching assistants are deployed effectively to provide both English language and special educational needs support." (Ofsted, January 2010).

Support is provided in a number of ways. For some children, withdrawal from class for intensive one-to-one or small group sessions is appropriate. For others, support within the class setting, through the provision of specialist materials and expertise, will be more appropriate.

A hallmark of all our Learning Support provision is the close working relationship that Mrs Heywood fosters with parents. 

In practice, support falls into four broad areas:

• Remedial support for those with mild learning difficulties
• Support for those for whom English is an additional language
• Support for pupils with visual, auditory and other mild physical impairments
• Opportunities for those with identified gifts and talents to be extended beyond the level appropriate for their peers

Special Educational Needs Support

A pupil with a learning difficulty is defined as someone who has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age. (DEFS Code of Practice, 2001)

Pupils may be referred for assessment by either their teacher or their parents.  If the teacher refers a pupil, parents will be informed and permission sought before an assessment takes place. An Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be drawn up on the basis of the assessment. Subsequent support usually takes the form of short, intensive one-to-one or small group tuition sessions. Problems are generally rectified after a short period of time, with parents being kept fully informed of progress.

If the assessment indicates more significant problems, Mrs Heywood will put parents in touch with suitable practitioners for further assessment and support.   

English as an Additional Language

Pupils with limited English will be assessed within a few days of their arrival. Individual targets are then set on the basis of the assessment. For pupils in the junior school, this generally takes the form of in-class support.  For senior pupils, it generally takes the form of intensive one-to-one or small group tuition sessions, led by a member of the teaching staff.

Support for mild physical impairments

It is essential that parents indicate any such impairment during the admissions process, so that a full assessment can be made. Once the assessment is complete, Mrs Heywood works closely with parents to ensure that a suitable support plan is in place before the pupil commences school.

The school's Special Educational Needs and Gifted and Talented policies are available from the school office.