Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Learning Support at Windsor concentrates on the individual needs of youngsters. Support is based on the notion that learning occurs in context rather than in isolation – our support is therefore focused wherever possible in the classroom supporting the youngster, the curriculum and the teacher.

We operate with a large team of Teaching Assistants (TAs) acting as a link between the support hub, the youngster and faculties. Learning Support operates under the leadership of a SENCO (who is also a member of the Leadership Team), Deputy SENCO and an Assistant SENCO.

Before youngsters arrive at Windsor we have usually been involved with the SEN cohort, their teachers and their parents for some considerable time. Once at Windsor we embark upon a battery of tests in the first 4 weeks looking at basic skills acquisition.

The information gleaned from these tests is used alongside KS2 information and advice from teachers to form 2 parallel groups of approximately 12 youngsters who will form our ALPS (Accelerated Literacy Programme) and AMPS (Accelerated Maths Programme) in year 7. These groups exist for over 50% of the youngster’s year 7 timetable – providing support and guidance alongside a specialist curriculum.

The Learning Support faculty also provide a wide variety of out of hours clubs which run before school (with breakfast), after school and at lunchtime. The clubs are well attended and stretch from the basic homework support to jujitsu and art amongst many other diverse activities.

In KS4 specific courses are available within the school curriculum. We offer BTEC qualifications in Work Skills and Vocational Studies. Access support with module assessments and examinations is also available to a large group of our youngsters.

Extra curricular activities form a major part of our programme. In year 7, the youngsters under the Learning Support umbrella partake in a week’s residential experience and in KS4 we undertake outdoor learning programmes (as part of the curriculum) which often lead to additional qualifications. The focus of these programmes is self esteem, self belief and leadership.