Learning Support

Mrs K Siddle - Head of Learning Support

Mrs K Siddle liaises closely with the Boys' Junior School and other Primary Schools to ensure continuity of support and provision for those boys who encounter learning difficulties - whether on a temporary or longer term basis.
Boys may have been diagnosed in their Junior School as having Dyslexia, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Visual or Hearing impairment, Speech and Language difficulty or as being on the Autistic Spectrum. Their learning is then supported either through in-class support or withdrawal from lesson.

Lower School
Spelling, reading and handwriting difficulties are addressed and the programmes of study are reading age appropriate. It is very important to build relationships and thereby develop self-esteem.
In addition, strategies to develop personal organisation, short - term memory and the ability to sequence information effectively are employed.
The BBCSkillswise website provides an extensive range of activities to develop Literacy and Numeracy and complements learning and the acquisition of skills.

Middle School
Mentoring and monitoring are vital components here as boys move towards GCSE. Some will continue to require support with reading and spelling. Most will require support with personal organisation, target setting and meeting Coursework deadlines. Some drop a subject and value extra study time. Many require guidance with revision and Study skills.
Sixth Form
At this stage boys may require help in completing Personal Statements, advice regarding UCAS forms or simply some help with personal organisation during the transition to A Level. Study Skills and Revision strategies are vital here.
In addition, the Learning Support Department have introduced a test to ascertain a pupil's leanings to various styles of learning. Mrs Siddle would also like to test the readability of the textbooks in School!

Junior School

Since January 2009, I have had an oversight of Learning Support in MTB Junior School. This has involved liaison with staff and parents. I currently withdraw pupils in Year 5 and 6 on a weekly basis and support their learning/socialisation and transition to Senior School.

The rationale of early intervention will hopefully lead to greater liaison between the Schools and parents, smooth transition and enhanced staff awareness in the Senior Schools of learning difficulties entering Year 7.

The objectives of the Department are:

To address the needs of the whole child.
To develop self-esteem through the use of successful learning strategies.
To develop ‘on task' behaviour via improved academic ability.
To provide smooth transition through school.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or require further information about Learning Support.

Karen Siddle

Learning Support

Schools

Information