Learning support

Children in these year groups with additional needs usually forgo a foreign language in order to participate in small group work led by the Head of Learning Support or a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. This work focuses mainly on literacy, such as improving spelling, reading, and writing skills. For some years it is also appropriate to focus work on development of numeracy skills.

At this age, a child’s needs become more specific and we set individual goals, which may include recommendations for individual, additional lessons. This does not mean, however, that the child will be the only one in his or her age group who needs additional support and we continue to offer in-class support as well as clubs and trips for children who are experiencing learning difficulties. We also ensure that all pupils, no matter their requirements, are well integrated with House life and their peers.
 
The school has experience of supporting a wide-range of Access Arrangements at GCSE and A Level, such as extra-time or word-processing. Assessments for extra-time are usually completed within school in Year 9/10 and are completed by the Head of Learning Support at no additional cost. 

Our English as Additional Language (EAL) programme ensures that pupils are fully integrated into the life of the school and this begins with additional pastoral support from the moment an EAL pupil arrives. In Year 10 and 11 pupils will work towards an English qualification progressing onto IELTS assessment in the sixth form. This is an internationally recognised qualification needed to access university in any English-speaking country.

Vicky Coughlin has 30 years' experience as a teacher and has been a SENCo for the past 12 years in both the maintained and private sectors. During this time, she has gained experience of teaching students with a vast array of needs and has managed an ASD unit.

She has extensive knowledge of supporting students to gain the most appropriate Exam Access Arrangements. Miss Coughlin is also a year 8 Tutor in Catteral House.

                            
Mrs Nicola Redfearn
In 2012, Mrs Redfearn completed a PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Cumbria, following a 15 year career in the chemical industry where she worked as a chemical engineer, specialising in projects and health and safety. She developed her teaching experience in several primary schools in the Craven area before moving to secondary education in January 2014, where she initially taught catch up English and maths classes to Year 7 students with special educational needs. Over time, her role developed into teaching English and maths to groups in both KS3 and KS4, and providing additional support to students with different learning needs. She joined the Learning Support Department at Giggleswick in September 2016.