Study Support
Welcome to Study Support where we endeavour to provide the most suitable support for all students. As a school we support all students through the provision of quality first teaching and adaptive teaching throughout each subject. Should a student be making less than expected progress the SEND team can assess and identify where additional support may be beneficial through a variety of methods. Based on assessments, intervention and delivery of suitable qualifications tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
We currently cater for students with a wide variety of learning differences, together with physical and sensory needs, social, emotional and mental health issues.
Study Support Staff
Mrs Steans is the SENDCO at Fernwood and Mrs Prentice is the Assistant SENDCO. We work closely with our student support team which is made up of Teaching Assistants with differing levels of qualifications. Each TA has a SEND area of specialism in which they are highly trained and are able to offer support and advice. We also have 2 Specialist Care Assistants and core subject specialists.
How does Fernwood identify and assess SEND?
We may include and use a variety of information to identify and assess the needs of our students:
- Information from feeder schools
- Parent/carer views
- Students’ views
- Subject teacher comments
- Tutor comments
- Assessments data
- Reports data
- Outside agencies comments
- Diagnostic assessments
We work closely with our local primary schools so we are aware of students who may have had difficulties in the past. The school also monitors students regularly to identify any issues or difficulties.
How are parents of children with Special Educational Needs involved in the education of their child? How are students with SEN involved in their own education?
If you have a child with SEND or have any concerns about your child’s learning needs we are always happy to discuss these with you. We work alongside parents and carers to ensure that their child is happy and able to achieve their full potential.
The views of the parents/carers are important to us here at Fernwood School. Students identified as SEND will be issued a keyworker. A child’s keyworker will contact parents in the first term, share their provision plan and continue to be a point of contact for any issues or concerns.
SEND student who have an EHCP will have annual reviews involving parents, key members of staff, the SENDCO and any involved outside agencies.
Key Stage 3
At KS3, students receive intervention in a number of ways including in-class support across the full range of academic and creative subjects, a Nurture Group, 1:1 interventions or other small group work. Highly structured programmes provide support for reading, spelling, handwriting, homework, life skills, social skills and organisation.
Key Stage 4
We offer a range of qualifications at Key Stage 4 through Pathway 3 which allow students to develop and recognise a variety of skills that will be invaluable for further study, starting work and living independent lives. The programmes provide for students working within the lower ability range and run alongside GCSEs and vocational qualifications. The programmes include: Food and cookery, ICT, Prince’s Trust and Land Based Studies. Students are advised to take qualifications at a level which suits their attainment whilst not restricting opportunities for further qualifications.
Information for Parents
Padlet - SEND Information Board