Head of Learning Support:  Mrs Katie Etheridge

The school caters for students with a variety of special educational needs such as physical impairments (including mobility difficulties), sensory impairments (speech, vision, and hearing), autism spectrum disorders, specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia), and emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. Full details of the Disability Access Plan and   adaptations made for individuals are available on request. In addition we give extra support to students who have English as an Additional Language and students in the care of the local authority.

The Learning Support Team currently consists of 5 Learning Support Assistants and a part time Specialist Teacher under the management of the Head of Learning Support. The Learning Support Assistants have a high level of training and skills to help students achieve their best. They work with individual students or with groups inside and out of the classroom.

The Specialist Teacher is qualified to assess the nature of specific learning difficulties, give individual support to help overcome problems and to prepare applications to the exam boards for Access Arrangements for public examinations.

The Learning Support staff liaise with parents, medical professionals and LA staff (Educational Psychologist, Education Welfare Officer etc.) to ensure that all students receive the best possible support.

Students with special educational needs will be placed on the SEN Register. Advice on their particular needs will be circulated to teaching staff and a plan will be devised of how best to support them. Parents and students are encouraged to contribute to planning the provision and providing feedback on the effectiveness of strategies.

Students with special educational needs are welcomed at Poole Grammar School. Members of staff make every effort to ensure that   they can access the full curriculum and they are encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of school life.

Useful documents:-

SEND Policy