Learning Support

 

 

 

(Learning Difficulties and Disabilities)

 

`Our whole philosophy is built around flexibility of support and doing our utmost to create the best environment and facilities for students to be happy and successful. If it is possible – we will try it and if it seems impossible we will look for a way to try to make it happen’.

Our College has a well-established Learning Support Faculty run by Mr Brian Chapman (Borough Road Centre) and Mrs Samantha Garner (Waterleat Road Centre) with over 40 experienced staff specially trained to meet the varied and changing needs of all pupils.

Considerable thought is given by all staff to the specific needs of pupils in all subjects. The help given can range from individual or small group withdrawal for pupils with specific difficulties, on the one hand, to in-class support for pupils within their mainstream lessons on the other.  There is close liaison with feeder primary schools so that pupils already experiencing difficulties are given support as soon as possible. Similarly, we are aware of the needs of more able pupils and are able to alert members of staff in a similar way.

The Faculty has established the use of Nurture Groups in Years 7 and 8 and is expanding their use into Year 9 to provide a pathway through the College curriculum for our most vulnerable and needy pupils.

A vocational Work Related Learning option is also available in Years 10 and 11 for identified pupils who would benefit from a more practical, less examination based curriculum, alongside many variations of individual alternative timetabled provision.

Behavioural, Social and Emotional Support is provided for pupils across the College in a wide range of provisions.  These provisions support pupils at all levels of need and ensure all pupils gain access to any specialist help required.

At Key Stage 3 we provide:

  • Literacy Support withdrawal lessons
  • Homespell and Reading Programmes
  • SEAL – small group and individual work
  • THRIVE
  • Retracking
  • YAR – alternative provision room
  • Phoenix (BESD support)
  • Numeracy Support withdrawal lessons
  • In-class Teaching Assistant Support
  • Teacher Assistant mentoring
  • Homework Club
  • “Safe Room”
  • Dyslexia Support Group
  • Nurture Groups – Years 7, 8 and 9.

At Key Stage 4 we provide:

  • Work Related Learning Groups in Years 10 and 11
  • Mentors for Maths and English
  • Gifted and Talented Support
  • In-class Teaching Assistant Support
  • After school Tuition Programme
  • Off-site Support for all alternative provisions
  • Specialist SEN Support room
  • Reading and Spelling Programmes

We are proud of the comment recorded in the Ofsted report, May 2010:

“The level of support for pupils in vulnerable categories, including those with Learning Difficulties is outstanding.”

Able, Gifted & Talented

There are a significant number of pupils who are able, gifted and talented attending Paignton Community & Sports College, in spite of the fact that Torbay has selective schools.

The Able, Gifted & Talented department was created in the Spring Term 2009, Sara Parker and Sally Robins are the G&T Co-ordinators, based at Borough Road.  It is the G&T Co-ordinators’ role, supported by the SMT and staff, to organise the identification, provision and practice for gifted and talented pupils at the College.  To identify and collate the gifted and talented cohort for the whole school and to maintain the gifted and talented register.

We believe in guiding the pupils towards their own goals and meeting their full potential, and to support them the Co-ordinators provide mentoring sessions throughout year 10 and year 11, monitor achievement and progress, and maintain close links with home.  Our support also extends to ensuring the pupils gain access to enrichment activities provided by the LEA or other organisations, for example, we have taken students to Plymouth University for ICT enrichment workshops, languages workshop and a creative writing trip to Exeter University.   We have started a G&T pupil voice group in the College and we have also joined the South West GATE pupil voice forum.  We have also taken a group of Able, Gifted & Talented year 10 students to Oxford University for an inspirational visit.

The College has been selected to take part in The National Strategies Gifted and Talented Pilot Programme.  The purpose of the Pilot is to identify and develop the often hidden potential of young people by raising the standards of the whole school, with an emphasis on supporting gifted students to acknowledge and achieve their aspirations and ambitions.

Ongoing aspects of Gifted and Talented provision at the College include;

  • Maintaining the Able, Gifted & Talented register/database.
  • Liaising with parents and teachers, regarding individual able, gifted and talented pupils.
  • Liaising with teachers, regarding current provision for able, gifted and talented pupils.
  • Identification and support for underachieving G&T pupils.
  • Supporting staff in their efforts to provide gifted and talented pupils with appropriate challenges.
  • Mentoring and monitoring gifted and talented pupils in other year groups.
  • Working with small groups on extension activities.
  • Arranging and supervising off site trips.

Able, Gifted & Talented pupil identification at PCSC is by CAT scores, KS2 SAT levels or Teacher nomination.  We welcome any information in relation to ‘talents’ outside College that pupils may have.   The college has a Gifted & Talented policy which is available to view.

Head of Learning Support: Mr Brian Chapman