At Turing House School we have a very strong, committed Learning Support team who work hard to support students in overcoming barriers. The work of the Learning Support team focuses on improving academic progress and outcomes, as well as complementing the pastoral work done by PLUS in our support of social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).
In our Learning Support team we are all absolutely committed to improving outcomes for our young people and reducing barriers. We work with all school staff to ensure that learning in lessons and in all aspects of school life are accessible to every student. We work with the students themselves, building strategies to encourage them to be self-directed, independent and self-assured learners. Fundamental to this is the initial accurate identification of any needs which may involve screening, testing and referrals. We are then able to facilitate timely provision of appropriate strategies.
We provide some in-class support for students with the highest and most complex needs, we also do some work in intervention groups outside of lesson time. There is very little withdrawal from lessons however, as this is the most important aspect of school for all students. For this reason, we also prioritise supporting students with excellent attendance and punctuality.
Support at school is sometimes in the form of differentiated work, keeping on task, having a safe person to turn to. At other times it is more structured provision, e.g. programmes recommended by our Educational Psychologist, and other evidence-based interventions.
Examples of interventions and groups that we might draw on to support students include:
| Precision teaching | Social thinking groups | |
| Touch Typing | Self-esteem groups | |
| Reading & Spelling | Emotional regulation support | |
| Wordshark & Numbershark | Anxiety management | |
| Exit/movement cards | Autism specific intervention, e.g. SCERTS | |
| Safe place/person | Front of lunch passes | |
| Start or end of day check-ins |
Our support teachers build strong relationships with the students which maximises the effect of support. We monitor all students, and the learning support team are key in ensuring that where any rising concern becomes persistent, longer term and a significant barrier to learning, those students are placed on the SEND register. We also monitor any students who no longer need to be on the SEND register to ensure that their success continues.
Another significant element of our work is support with assessments, exams and access arrangements. This involves specialist testing, teacher evidence, trialling and establishing arrangements, applying on-line where necessary.
We maintain the following processes to manage our support and monitor its effectiveness:
- We work closely with families to ensure provision is reviewed effectively
- We listen to the student’s own voice in building a support plan
- We use an on-line provision mapping tool to plan, record, monitor and review support
- We meet regularly in teams and discuss support of our SEND students
- Staff are given regular, quality training and professional development
- The SENCo is on the Senior Leadership Team
If you would like to speak to someone about any concerns you have regarding Special Educational Needs or Disability please complete the form below or click this link.
Focus Toys and Tools
If your child has special educational needs that impact focus and concentration, you may feel that they would benefit from use of items to support this, such as focus toys and tools. In this case, please contact the Learning Support Department by sending an email to info@turinghouseschool.org.uk or completing the online form above.
Your request will be directed to a member of the Learning Support team who can discuss with you reasonable adjustments regarding items to help maintain focus for your child. If the decision is made to allow your child to use such an item, you may provide a suitable focus tool, but please be advised that you should always follow this guidance:
- Tools should be silent
- No balls
- Should be non sharable
- No magnets
- Should be reasonably small – can be discreetly used
- Should not be distracting for others
The SENCo has some focus tools available for those who cannot provide one from home. Please note, no toys are permitted at school other than those agreed with the Learning Support Department. Please also see this related page on our website: Banned Items