Learning Support

Welcome to the Learning Support Department

Ethos and General Policy Principles

Newquay Tretherras School supports, and works within, the framework set out by the new SEN Code of Practice and the Disability Discrimination Act, SENDA. We believe that all students have a right to an education that is accessible, interesting and worthwhile. The student with special educational needs has the same right as every other student and it is the aim of the school to ensure that we are providing the correct work, in the correct way for each student. The term special needs encompasses the 4 Areas of Need, Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Behaviour, Emotional and Social Development and Sensory and/or Physical.

We are committed to a policy of integration and inclusion in all areas. All students have a right of access to all area of the curriculum, but it is not enough that all students attend all lessons. Actually being in the classroom does not necessarily mean that they have access to the subject being taught. We aim to ensure that each student, whatever their special need, will achieve their full potential in all areas by supporting students, teachers and the curriculum.

We believe that close parental contact is essential. To this end we are happy to see parents, or speak to them, whenever they contact us. Partnership between school and home is valuable for the development of each student and parents receive regular notification as students improve.

Newquay Tretherras School operates an admission policy whereby all students are treated as equal. We liase closely with our partner primary schools so that student progress can be monitored from infants school. Our building has access, to most areas, for wheelchair users, and has implemented a rolling programme of improvements from September 2002 as set out in the Disabilities Discrimination Act. We aim to enhance the education of all students with special needs by providing the ethos that a whole school policy brings with it, without losing sight of the fact that some students need extra support to achieve. All teachers have a responsibility to special needs students and the Learning Support Department aims to provide the support that staff, students and parents may need.

We have regular meetings with the Educational Psychologist, CAMHS, Social Care and LA Support Services.

The number of students on the Record of Need varies during the year as reviews take place. The key to meeting the needs of students lies in flexibility, the effective deployment and use of support staff, the support of the governing body, parental involvement, contact with outside agencies, supporting and advising colleagues and the ability to see the potential of every student.