Learning Support

We use a variety of sources to help us identify pupils with additional learning needs, and who may require the help of our learning support team including:

• • Information from parents about existing learning difficulties
  • Teacher observations
  • Information from previous educational settings
  • Entrance examination results
  • Ongoing teacher assessment
  • Cognitive ability tests in Year 7 (MidYIS)
  • Screening tests for spelling, reading and writing (Year 7 and Year 9)
  • Screening tests for Examination Access Arrangements (Year 9 onwards)

In addition, we support our pupils to feel confident and comfortable to approach us if they feel that they may have additional learning needs.

In the Infant and Junior School, we provide 1:1 and small group interventions for pupils who need additional academic or pastoral support. In the Senior School, the Learning Support team operates an open-door policy. Students can email us at any time during the day to discuss concerns or support requests. We also drop into lessons to check in with pupils on a regular basis. Our Year 13 SEND prefects help us to run a weekly lunchtime homework club offering Senior students support with homework tasks, organisational skills and revision. We also have a team of Year 12 volunteers who support our Infant and Junior pupils with reading, Mathematics, Science and Art.

Our Learning Support Hub is a place where pupils feel welcome and supported both academically and emotionally.

Pupils who benefit from specialist support with their learning might include those with the following types of learning difference, all of which can be supported at Sheffield Girls’:

• • Specific Learning Difficulties, e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
  • Social, emotional or mental health needs e.g. ADHD
  • Speech, language and communication needs
  • Autism
  • Sensory differences

Teaching staff are provided with pupil profiles for all pupils who have an additional learning need. This indicates the areas of challenge for those pupils and gives strategies for our teachers to follow to ensure that each individual’s needs are met. Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Champions in the Senior School include teacher representatives from each department who will help us to ensure that the needs of pupils with SEND are fully met within their curriculum area.

We know that students thrive when there is a strong partnership between us and their parents and carers. At Sheffield Girls’ we value the knowledge parents have of their children and use this to enable us to work in partnership with them to provide effective learning support. We will always inform parents of any concerns we have and discuss fully any action we feel is necessary.

Our EAL support is tailored to meet each individual’s needs but support includes:

• • Specialist EAL lessons with our dedicated full time EAL teacher
  • Reduced timetables where appropriate
  • Regular meetings with Head of Year for pupils and parents
  • Liaison between EAL lead and subject / Form teachers
  • Support to integrate in school life and take part in co-curricular activities
  • Support with preparation for IELTS and other SELT exams in Sixth Form