Learning Support
Learning Support Department
Highfield School is committed to accepting children within a wide range of academic ability. The school recognises that individual children will however have particular strengths and abilities as well as particular academic weaknesses and areas of learning that may require support.
The Learning Support Department and the Deputy Head monitor the academic progress and development of all children in the school very closely. Regular meetings with Subject Departments are held to discuss individuals and groups of pupils. A close analysis of exam and test results is routinely carried out. The Learning Support Department screens all pupils for Dyslexia and annually carries out assessment tests to measure attainment in basic Reading, Comprehension, Spelling, Mathematics, and Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning.
The Deputy Head regularly observes lessons to monitor the progress that pupils are making and to ensure that teaching is effective and matching individual pupils needs.
Where pupils are identified as having areas of weaknesses in their learning, an Individual Educational Plan will be drawn up after consultation with all those who teach the pupil. A support programme may be put in place that is tailored to the child's individual educational needs. This programme may involve extra support in the classroom from a qualified Learning Support Teacher or Teaching Assistant, withdrawal for one or more sessions of 1:1 individual tuition in English, Mathematics or General Learning Skills each week, or a programme of strategies and targets that subject staff put in place across the curriculum. The school is also able to organise Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy or Educational Counselling for those pupils for whom it would benefit.
Currently the school has a number of children who have a diagnosis of Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autistic Spectrum disorders or similar who receive additional support, plus a number of pupils who simply require a little more support than the average pupil.
The school has a record of excellent achievement with pupils who have specific learning difficulties, with many of these children ultimately achieving excellent CE results and admission to top Senior Schools.
More information about Learning Support at Highfield can be obtained by contacting Mrs Anne Binnie (Head of Learning Support) or Mr Giles Entwisle (Deputy Head).