SEN (Supported learning)

Right in the centre of the school – overlooking the atrium and the beautiful school grounds – you’ll find our kind, purposeful and nurturing Learning Enhancement Department.

We have a dedicated team of Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers who are able to support pupils with different learning requirements. We are very proud of the progress all our pupils make at Great Walstead, but it is worth pointing out that it's important that their level of need does not stop them from accessing and enjoying our academic curriculum.

The department benefits from seven qualified specialist staff. Our main focus of enhancement is in core literacy and numeracy skills together with children’s associated wellbeing.

We collaborate with teachers and assistants across each section of the school from Pre-School right through to Year 8, helping children overcome barriers and celebrate progress in their learning.

Most children are supported in the regular classroom setting by their knowledgeable teachers who are informed of individual children’s specific learning differences. The Learning Enhancement Department is able, where appropriate and reasonable, to offer small group and individual interventions to children. Some of the interventions offered are as an enhancement and at an additional cost.

The department is able to offer investigations, assessments and guidance to help better understand an individual’s learning strengths and needs. Where it is considered helpful to seek further guidance from external specialists, for example educational psychologists, occupational therapists or speech and language therapists, we are able to support parents in accessing these services.

The department works in partnership with children, parents and teachers to enable each child to thrive and succeed. We are immensely proud of the achievements of the children we work with, and the positive partnership we have with parents and colleagues.