Dyslexia
All new entrants to the Senior School, including all of Year 7, are routinely screened for indicators of dyslexia, with parental permission.
About 35 pupils with dyslexia are offered specialist literacy tuition in the Senior School. At KS3 these pupils are withdrawn from curriculum subjects, and at KS4 the pupils attend support lessons during an activity session each week. They are taught by qualified specialist teachers and lessons are based on the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme, which is structured, cumulative and involves multi-sensory teaching methods.
Pupils at KS4 have generally completed a literacy programme when they were younger and support is offered in the way of ‘drop in’ sessions to help with organisation, revision techniques or essay planning.
Each pupil who is withdrawn for support has an Individual Teaching Plan and their progress is monitored twice a year using standardised tests.Given the appropriate support, most of our dyslexic pupils develop strategies to help them overcome their difficulties and to achieve well
Frequently Asked Questions:
I think my child may have a learning difficulty, but he/she does not have a diagnosis. Will my child be assessed?
All children coming into Year 7 are screened for indicators of dyslexia, with parental permission. Those identified as being ‘at risk’ have further assessment as appropriate and parents are kept fully informed. If you have any concerns about your child, contact the Head of Senior School SEN, who will be pleased to advise you.
Will my child have extra time during the Entrance Assessments?
Your child will be entitled to extra time in the English exam if he or she had extra time in the SATs, or if there is a Medical Report, Specialist Teacher’s Report or an Educational Psychologist’s Report, detailing the special needs/learning difficulties of your child.
How will subject teachers know that my child has special needs when he/she moves into Year 7?
All teaching staff are briefed by the Head of Senior School SEN before the start of the Michaelmas Term and the needs of new pupils are drawn to their attention. Teaching staff are also kept informed if a pupil’s needs change during his/her time here.
My child has had extra help in school in the past. What is the provision for pupils in the Senior School?
Pupils with dyslexia or other identified learning difficulty/special need will be given additional support, after consultation with parents, if this is considered necessary.
My child has already started the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme. Will this be continued?
Yes. If a pupil is benefiting from the programme, it will be continued in the same way with a specialist teacher in the Senior School. The Senior School employs two dyslexia specialists.
Will my child be withdrawn from class lessons?
Pupils are withdrawn from lessons in Key Stage 3. Your child will be placed on a rolling timetable for withdrawal from lessons, so the same lesson will not be missed every week. He/she will receive a timetable for the term, detailing all the times of the lessons. Pupils are not withdrawn from lessons after the end of Key Stage 3.
Can my child drop a subject that he does not like?
No. We encourage access to the full curriculum and expect all pupils to ‘have a go’ at all curriculum subjects in Key Stage 3. A pupil may only ‘drop’ a subject in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Headmaster.
What help is available for dyslexic pupils after Key Stage 3?
Support after Key Stage 3 tends to be on a ‘drop in’ basis. Some pupils choose to see a dyslexia specialist instead of an activity each week. Pupils who are sitting GCSE and GCE examinations are offered extra help with organising their revision. Mentoring sessions are also used to give extra support for SEN pupils.
How will I know if my dyslexic child is improving his/her reading and writing skills?
If a pupil is following the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme in school, progress is monitored using standardised reading and spelling tests and parents receive a progress report twice a year, in December and July.
Will I have to pay for dyslexia tuition?
Currently, there is no extra charge for specialist dyslexia tuition in school. However, we ask parents to pay for independent Educational Psychologist’s Assessments and Specialist Teacher’s Assessments as and when required.
My child is very disorganised. How will he/she cope with Senior School?
Every pupil has a school planner, which is an excellent means of helping dyslexic pupils to organise themselves. All pupils attend a Learning 2 Learn course in Years 7 and 8, which develops strategies to prepare them for independent study.
Would my child receive extra time/assistance in exams?
For a pupil to be awarded access arrangements in public examinations, evidence is needed to support their application to the awarding bodies. Pupils must have a history of need and an up-to-date diagnostic assessment with one of our designated specialist teachers..
My child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Will he/she be offered a place in the Senior School?
Yes, provided he/she passes the entry requirements, and that all involved specialists and agencies agree that attendance in the Senior School would be in the best interests of your child, given his/her particular needs. In most cases, extra funding is provided by the LEA, to help meet the needs of a pupil with a statement. Annual Reviews are conducted in the usual way.
