The Learning Support Department

The Learning Support Department provides additional help for students with special educational needs (SEN).

This may include girls with basic literacy or numeracy difficulties, moderate learning difficulties or specific learning difficulties; girls with emotional or behavioural difficulties; girls with hearing or visual or language impairment; and girls with physical disabilities and medical conditions that may effect their success as learners.

We have a Learning support Department that works across all year groups, including Negus. It consists of three full-time teachers, 5 part-time teachers, 15 Learning Support Assistants, one part-time counsellor and one part-time art therapist. Also, the borough's Literacy Inclusion Team and Traveller's Education Service work in the department on a part-time basis. The teachers and assistants are organised into Year Teams, so that they can work closely with the school's Year Co-ordinators and tutors to address the needs of the girls on the SEN Register.

There is now a very clear focus on working with subject departments. The Learning Support staff develop differentiated materials and work with students in-class alongside their peers, with an emphasis on the girls making progress in their National Curriculum subjects.

On occasions the Learning Support staff may withdraw small groups or individuals to focus on developing particular literacy or numeracy skills. The programmes of support are carefully devised to ensure the girls' success at school. The learning Support department will, during this year, be responding to changes in the revised Special Needs Code of Practice.

At present Plumstead Manor will continue to adhere to the key procedures within the Code, where girls can move up and down stages on the SEN Register according to their Special Educational Needs. The department liaises extensively with the school's Educational Psychologist, other external agencies and with primary schools to ensure that all students with SEN are clearly identified, monitored and provided with support.

The Learning Support Department welcomes parental support and involvement at all stages to enable the girls with SEN to achieve their full potential. The Department is expanding to include students with significant moderate learning difficulties in September 2002.

Please refer to the policy for students with significant moderate learning difficulties. Ms Sue Gyde is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). Ms Diana Smith is the governor responsible for Special Educational Needs.