KS3 and KS4 Support, The Den and The Centre

For students that have are on Wave 3 SEN Support or have an EHCP we have 4 support provisions. Our offer is overseen by the SENCo, Emily Oakley-Pullen and comprises of the following:

• The Centre for those students who have a specific or moderate learning disability, or a physical, sensory or medical condition (managed by Sarah Carter)
• Key Stage 3 and 4 Support for those students who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties or behaviour challenges (managed by Steph Wright and Sharon Baker, Oversight by Deputy Principal, Sean Sycamore)
• Specialist support in the sixth form for students with identified SEND (managed by Laura Peacey)

 

The Centre

The Centre is in the centre of the school and is the original SEN provision. It supports students with an EHCP who may have a range of challenges within school such as those who have a specific or moderate learning disability, or a physical, sensory or medical condition. This provision is managed by Sarah Carter and overseen by Emily Oakley-Pullen, SENCo. Pupils are supported within the mainstream curriculum, sharing a teaching assistant within lessons. The centre has its own library which doubles as an intervention classroom. The centre has its own electronic hoist which can be used to assist pupils in and out of wheelchairs. Students within the Centre access interventions and enrichment, such as Social Circuits, alongside KS3 Support Pupils.

The Centre Support Team

Centre Manager: Sarah Carter Assistant Centre Manager & Year 10 Coordinator: Henry Beresford Year 7 Coordinator: Helena Phoenix Year 8 Coordinator: Julie Marin Year 9 Coordinator: Evie Baker & Rachel Chinnery Year 11 Coordinator: Debbie Dunn

 

Working with outside Agencies

The centre works closely with outside agencies to ensure the needs of pupils are being met, this includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Specialist Nursing Teams (E.g. Diabetes, Epilepsy), Speech and Language Therapists and Educational Psychologists.

 

KS3 and KS4 Support

KS3 and KS4 Support are two separate specialist centres designed for pupils who have SEMH and/or behaviour challenges. These needs vary depending on the pupil.

KS3 Support is run by Steph Wright and Cheryal Young with oversight by the SENCo and Sean Sycamore (Deputy Principal). It is based in a building next to the main school site and its facilities include: separate work areas; a kitchen allowing pupils to have cooking lessons; a utility area with a washing machine and tumble dryer and an outdoor area with a basketball hoop, bench, gym equipment, a goal and a climbing wall. Pupils in KS3 support can express and be themselves, whilst building strong rapports with peers and staff working there. KS3 Support have Teaching Assistants who support pupils during their lessons if they have an EHCP.  Students within KS3 Support access interventions and enrichment, alongside pupils within the Centre. Students graduate in Year 9 from KS3 to KS4 Support.

KS4 Support is run by Sharon Baker with oversight by the SENCo and Mr Sycamore. It is based centrally in the school building. It consists of two large rooms for pupils to work and spend their social times, as well as small work rooms, computers to complete work and a counselling room. KS4 Support operates as a family unit, caring and supporting one another. There are expectations of the members involved, based on mutual care, respect and looking out for one another. Pupils feel a sense of belonging as it acts as a safe space pupils can use. KS4 Support has Teaching Assistants who support pupils in lessons who have an EHCP as well as pupils who may have modified timetables and work in KS4 Support. There are also other members of staff who support the pupils' mental health, behaviour and wellbeing.  

Working with outside Agencies

KS3 and KS4 Support work very closely with the District Team who provide extra support in the form of Educational Welfare, Young People’s Workers, Family Support or In School Support.  To assess this type of support, students need to have been assessed using the Early Help Assessment (EHA).  We also work closely the Police, Social Care, voluntary agencies (such as Centre 33), and Educational Psychologists.

The Den

The Den is a support area to access at lunchtimes. All pupils are welcome, whether that is for a chat, to talk through any worries, or if a pupil would just like a quiet place to eat their lunch. Miss Baker (Student Support and Wellbeing Officer) and Mrs Callaghan (Intervention Tutor) are the staff members on duty and The Den is situated just outside the English office.