LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT The Learning Support Department plays a major role in the identification, assessment, monitoring and provision for pupils with special educational needs. In doing so the department works according to the Code of Practice for SEN and liaises closely with colleagues, parents, primary schools and external agencies. In years 7 – 9 the department provides small group tuition in literacy skills, French and Welsh, through withdrawal from mainstream modern languages. Some children may also receive their English and Mathematics lessons in small groups which allows for greater scope in delivering the National Curriculum according to individual needs and permits a high degree of teacher attention. In years 10 and 11 pupils may follow a course which leads to an ASDAN Award. Pupils will be awarded a Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (COPE) Level 1 which is equivalent to a GCSE E grade or Level 2 which is equivalent to a GCSE grade B. Pupils can also study vocational BTEC courses e.g. Construction, Sport and Active Leisure, Land Based Studies. Colleagues are advised on the specific strengths and needs of individual pupils so that they may implement strategies to support them in the mainstream, mixed ability classroom. The department also provides In-Service training for colleagues on special needs issues. In line with the Access to Learning Service of the City and County of Swansea the school has implemented a 'Dyslexia Friendly' Policy and has undertaken training in the speech and language friendly schools initiative. The department is well resourced with a network of computers and an interactive whiteboard.
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