Learning Support Department
Teaching Staff
The Learning Support department consists of two full time teachers:
Mrs C Long (SENCO / responsible for English)
Miss J Evans (Responsible for Maths)
Learning Support Group
Mountain Ash Comprehensive has a Learning Support group attached to each year group. Each class consists of 10 – 14 pupils and is supported by an assistant.
Identification
Pupils are identified for the class usually before entry into Year 7 from information received from the primary schools and initial reading and maths testing. Pupils who struggle with literacy and numeracy and who require differentiated work and greater support in the classroom are placed in the group, with the aim to improve basic reading and maths skills through being supported in a smaller group with appropriate material.
Assessment
Pupils are tested twice a year – December and June in Reading Comprehension, Spelling and Maths using standardized tests. The results of which, are used along with teacher assessments to measure pupil progress and where appropriate move pupils out of the group.
Curriculum
Learning support classes follow a mainstream timetable and are taught in all curriculum subjects benefitting from specialist SEN teachers for Maths and English. At Key Stage 4 pupils complete Entry Level qualifications in Maths and English, which consist of a combination of coursework and written examinations.
The department follows the S.E.N Code of Practise for Wales, generating IEPs for all pupils in the learning support classes and holding annual pupil reviews to which parents are invited.
Learning Support Assistants
We also have 5 Learning Support Assistants who support pupils in the classroom environment and also provide withdrawal support in both literacy and numeracy.
Mrs C Shaw (Spotlight Maths)
Mrs L Edwards (Catch Up Reading / Cumbrian Reading Intervention)
Mrs C Jones (Catch Up Reading / Cumbrian Reading Intervention)
Mrs A Williams (Successmaker / Catch Up Reading)
Mr A Davies (Catch Up Reading)
Literacy Support
Pupils who are identified with reading ages two or more years below their chronological age in Years 7 and 8 are provided with withdrawal literacy support, which encompasses a variety of schemes, depending on the needs of the individual pupil.
Catch Up Reading
Catch Up reading is a recognised literacy support scheme which involves the pupil being withdrawn for two 15 minute individual reading sessions a week with a trained assistant. The session also includes specific work on spelling to aid pupil’s writing skills. We have successfully run the scheme for 7 years at MACS with very positive results.
‘Successmaker’
‘Successmaker’ is an I.T. based scheme which includes programmes in reading comprehension and spelling. Pupils spend 15 minutes on each programme which provide individual targets based on progress. The system has achieved excellent results over the past 10 years. Pupil progress is tracked by a teaching assistant.
Buddy Reading
A smaller group of pupils each year benefit from the buddy reading scheme, which takes place in the library two registration periods a week. Year 7 and 8 pupils are paired with a Sixth Form Student to follow a reading scheme and work on building confidence in reading and comprehension. The scheme is enjoyed by both groups of pupils with positive relationships being formed.
Cumbrian Reading Intervention (CRI)
The CRI is our newest from of literacy support. It provides very intensive support for those pupils with specific difficulties in reading and spelling. Pupils are withdrawn 4 times a week for 35 minute sessions with a trained assistant for 12 weeks.
Numeracy Support
Spotlight Maths
Year 7 pupils identified as having gaps in their basic maths are provided with Spotlight Maths sessions. These pupils are withdrawn for one 30 minute individual session with a trained assistant to concentrate on their greatest areas of weakness in numeracy.
Outside Agencies
The department has strong links with a variety of outside agencies including:
- Educational Psychology Service
- Specific Learning Difficulty Department (Dyslexia)
- LEA Learning Support Service
- Behaviour Support Service
- Visually Impaired Service
- EAL (English as a second language)
- CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
All referrals to these services are made through the SENCO, who receives information from both teachers and parents. The SENCO co-ordinates the support of all the pupils on the S.E.N register and liaises with the appropriate services, disseminating appropriate information to both staff and parents.
Parent Partnership
The department encourages parents to be involved in pupil learning and progress by supporting homework tasks, attending pupil reviews and contributing to target setting for a pupil IEP.
