Special Educational Needs

Yavneh College is a mainstream school and does everything it can to help all its pupils within its resources. The school recognises that all pupils are different and believes that all pupils with special educational needs at Yavneh College should be identified and assessed as early as possible and as quickly as is consistent with thoroughness.

All pupils are assessed using standardised tests on entry to the school. Thereafter, all SEN pupils are tested at times appropriate to their needs and on-going assessment is adapted for the needs of each pupil.

The department has expertise in a range of Specific Learning Difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, attention deficit (hyperactive) disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning austism.

We work closely with the Local Authority and communal agencies to provide the best care for all of our pupils. The special educational provision takes into account the wishes of the pupil and family concerned. All pupils are integrated fully into mainstream classes except in those circumstances where the nature of their special need prevents full integration.

The range of provision includes small group sizes, differentiated learning, laptops, catch-up sessions for literacy and maths, buddying, social and self-organisation skills. We are able to provide a range of exam access arrangements when appropriate.

The SEN department currently comprises a SENCo, who is a qualified teacher, and seven full time Learning Support Assistants. The LSAs mainly work with individuals in the classroom, as well as providing support to whole classes when needed. The LSAs also run support groups before school and during lessons where appropriate.

The SEN Base houses a number of PCs which have many of the latest technologies including speech recognition and literacy and numeracy support software. It also has laptops which can be loaned to pupils. The department has books which are designed for reluctant readers as well as many games to support their various needs. The Base has a ‘chill out area’ which is used during lesson times for support groups and for individual help and which is used at break times by a small number of pupils as an area away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the school.