We are fortunate to have four dedicated rooms to support students with specific needs.  The Learning Base is divided into four areas:

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support: a room dedicated to teach and support students to develop their understanding and vocabulary in English and other languages.  Language resources like Linguascope are used to support learning.

Reflection and Restorative Room; a room for students to reflect on their specific issues or behaviours before they return back to their timetabled lessons.

Classroom 1; this area is used for small group interventions, with use of our interactive whiteboard.  We have four computers available which comprise computer based software to enhance literacy skills like Wordshark, Mylexia and Accelaread Accelawrite, also numeracy skills using Numbershark and Mymaths.

Classroom 2; this area is used for one to one learning support, interventions and assessments.

            

Teaching Assistants play a major role in assisting learners by supporting them in class, working with small groups and 1:1. Wherever possible, they are assigned to a department so that they become familiar with the curriculum and work closely with subject teachers. They also have the opportunity to plan with departments on Wednesdays.

 

Their role is multi-faceted and includes facilitating individual literacy/numeracy programmes, working with key Stage 4 students who are studying alternative courses to GCSE, organising visits, preparing differentiated work and administration and providing social activities during lunch time to encourage social interaction.

 

Certain Teaching Assistants act as named key worker for those pupils at school action plus or for pupils who have a Statement of Educational Need.

 

BGN also has 2 Higher Level TAs who work in the Maths and English departments. There are also specialist TAs in ASD, Handwriting, Dyslexia and Behaviour.

 

Pupils with Special Educational Needs

Students are held on our SEND register at 3 levels; School Action, School Action Plus and students with a Statement of educational need. Each student has a profile which is accessible through the staff shared area, in the SENCo folder, in the folder titled “2012 SEND INFO FOR STAFF”. This is the main place to find information on student levels, specific needs and strategies to support the pupil. Further information can be accessed through the SENCo (Mr R Lloyd) and ASENCo.(Mrs S Wyatt).

 

All staff are given a copy of the SEND register and new copies are provided as the register changes. Senior Management, Subject Leaders and Learning Leaders are also given a hard copy of the SEND Handbook.

 

Students at School Action are reviewed twice yearly, students with a statement are reviewed termly (3 times a year). All reviews are normally time-tabled around the 3 PDRs in autumn, spring and summer.

 

The learning base supports the use of external professionals. We pay for the use of an Educational Psychologist, a Behavioural Support Team member and an Exam Access assessor. We also assess for dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. As well as processing speeds and any other barriers to learning.