Learning Support at John Lyon School

At John Lyon, each pupil is valued and is expected to access our full curriculum. The Learning Support department across both the Prep and Senior School aims to ensure that pupils with learning needs are identified early, make the best possible progress and continue to develop self-confidence as well as a positive attitude to academic study. The additional support provided will adapt as the pupil progresses from the Prep School through to the Senior School. 

• Prep School Learning Support: The Prep School ensures that every pupil is provided with opportunities to meet their individual needs, thus enabling them to achieve their potential. Alongside teachers, the SENDCo aims to identify and provide assistance for those pupils who require additional support to overcome any barriers to learning. Support is carefully tailored to the needs of the individual, with a strong emphasis on multi-sensory learning, integration and support within lessons, and developing strategies and methods that can be used by the pupil to underpin independent learning across the curriculum.  

• Senior School Learning Support: Pupils with learning needs make good progress thanks to their strengths, teachers’ awareness of needs through information provided by the Learning Support Department, regular training and communication with classroom teachers and manageable in-class strategies. Please note that the John Lyon provision at the Senior School does not include any Teaching Assistants in lessons. We also do not have alternative spaces such as a time-out/sensory room. 

Identifying Needs

If a pupil has been diagnosed or identified with a learning need, the Learning Support department will work closely with the teachers, parents and pupil to meet the identified needs whenever possible. It is therefore essential for parents to disclose any learning needs/support during the admissions process. 

Screening is carried out at all points of entry into the school.  

Supporting Needs

Depending on needs, Learning Support sessions may be offered on a short-term basis (one to three booster sessions). Parents are informed and encouraged to be active participants in their child’s learning to support these strategies at home. 

Experiencing learning difficulties can lead to low confidence and/or anxiety. This is why the Learning Support department works closely with the pastoral team, the school nurse, the careers advisor and parents. With the right strategies, an open dialogue and commitment, pupils gain confidence, motivation and aspiration. 

Transition

Transition, especially to Secondary School, is a major milestone in a child’s life. We work closely across all key stages and throughout the Prep and Senior School to ensure a smooth transition. Prep School students will already be familiar with the Senior School by the end of Year 6 due to many collaborative curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities across the John Lyon campuses. Students from other schools who are identified with SEND will also experience a smooth transition with the Head of Learning Support speaking to new parents and primary schools to understand each child’s needs before they start.  

Examination Access Arrangements

It is important to disclose information regarding any history of exam arrangements (such as 25% extra time and/or the use of a word processor) as well as all levels of current needs/support to admissions prior to the entrance exams to ensure that pupils have the appropriate arrangements in place. Access arrangements for public examinations (GCSE and A-level) will need to be assessed and are monitored/applied for by the qualified assessor in the Learning Support department. Any application will need to be supported by evidence of need, as observed by classroom teachers, and such access arrangements established as the ‘normal way of working’ through earlier internal tests and examinations.  

Learning Support and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) are embedded in the School’s ethos to ensure that the teaching and learning, academic achievements, personal development and wellbeing matter for every pupil.