Learning Support

Ethos & Values

Learning Support seeks

• To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the Functional Skills curriculum
• To raise attainment by creating a target-orientated culture based on the enhancement of basic skills in
  • Literacy and Numeracy (Years 7 and 8)
  • Functional English and Maths (Years 9, 10 and 11)
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and teaching methods
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of individual students
• To ensure that each child achieves its full potential, regardless of any SEN issues

Knowledge & Skills

Students will improve their skills in Maths and English through the delivery of Key Skills lessons (in Years 7 - 8 Band 1) and through the delivery of Functional Skills Maths and English (in Years 9 - 10 Bands 1 and 2).

Personalised learning through the Academic Tutorial Programme and targeted one to one teaching is a key feature of the support offered.

Resources & Facilities

In the Learning Support area there are currently four teaching rooms, the Social Inclusion Unit, a full-sized mentoring room, office space and toilets. Within the above there are computers and computer programmes, as well as resources designed to help individual students with specific difficulties.

In all the classrooms wall space is used to create informative and stimulating displays.

Courses & Qualifications

Key Stage 3:

Students use a variety of resources, including Literacy Progress Units and SIM (Success in Maths) text books. They are also taught many specific, basic skills which prepare them for the Functional Maths and English courses they will take in Year 9 (if they stay within the same band).

Key Stage 4:

If students gain a Level 2 qualification in both Functional Maths and English, they will receive a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification, which is the equivalent to a grade B at GCSE. A qualification in one of the subjects will gain them half a GCSE; they need to complete both in order to achieve the full qualification.

Learning Outside The Classroom

An after-Academy Literacy and Numeracy club runs every week (Mar - May) for Year 7 students and their parents to work on basic skills together.

Homework Club runs every day 3:15pm - 4:30pm Mon - Thu and 4:00pm on a Friday. Students from any year group are permitted to attend and computers are available to ensure they can complete all types of homework.

The Academic Tutorial rooms stay open until 4:30pm Mon - Thu and 4:00pm on a Friday for any Year 11 students wishing to complete coursework or revision in quiet and comfortable surroundings. The Academic Tutorial rooms provide excellent after school facilities including assistance from an Academic Tutor and full use of computers.

All students have access to the Academy's resources form the Virtual Learning Environment.

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

The curriculum provided ensures that all students have a good understanding of Functional Maths and English – essential for any future job or further education.