Additional Needs

Woodchurch High School - A Specialist Engineering College believes that:

• All pupils should have full access to the curriculum
• A specialist provision to meet individual needs should be available
• Pupils with Additional Needs are not the responsibility of one department, but of the entire staff
• Early identification of pupils with Additional Needs is essential

We believe all our pupils are of equal value and equal worth but some children will have special educational needs at some stage during their time at school. We are proud of the achievements of our pupils with Additional Needs.

From Primary School, all pupils who are statemented as having Additional Needs have records detailing specific needs/ problems attached to their transfer documents. During their time at Woodchurch High School pupils’ needs continue to be identified using a range of diagnostic tests and by individual subject teachers. A referral system is then used and staff in the first instance will report their findings to their Head of Department. If required the Head of Department will forward the referral form to the Additional Needs Co-ordinator and Senior Management for discussion.

When appropriate, external support services and agencies are invited in to give help and support to both staff and pupils. All pupils’ progress is regularly monitored by a number of strategies designed to ensure all pupils reach their maximum potential. Small group tuition is provided in English and Maths during Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Parents are invited in to discuss their child’s Annual Review and strategies for the future.

The Base for Pupils’ with Asperger’s Syndrome

The school has a special provision for pupils who have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. These pupils experience difficulties in social and communication skills. Our policy is for all our pupils to take part in mainstream lessons, if necessary with the assistance of Support Staff. However, if on occasions pupils find this difficult, they are able to be withdrawn to the ‘Base’ for individual support and tuition.

It is recognised that pupils achieve higher standards when their day-to-day work is well marked.