Learning Support

Whitgift's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision is designed to support students with learning difficulties, whatever their nature, which hinder their educational development thus preventing them from reaching their potential.

Workshops and In Class Support

The department is well resourced and the staff have excellent qualifications in assessing and teaching students with Specific Learning Difficulties. When students enter the Lower School they are screened for spelling and writing skills and students with identified specific difficulties are offered additional support through workshops and in class support. Students entering the School with a current assessment report have their needs addressed accordingly. 

Strategies to Support Learning

Students with identified difficulties are placed on an SEN register, which is circulated to all staff, and some students have Student Information Sheets with strategies to support their learning. Teaching staff are kept informed of students' needs and there is regular liaison between the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and Heads of Year to monitor students' progress.

Social skills workshops are run for those students who need to further develop their social interaction to ensure they happily and successfully integrate into the School community.

English as an Additional Language

Students with English as an Additional Language may be offered support to develop their spoken and written language.

The SENCo liaises regularly with the exams officer with regard to exam concessions and access arrangements in line with JCQ guidelines. In house assessments may be offered where appropriate.