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Academic Support.
Head of Academic Support: Mr Trevor Collins
Some of our students have Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia and dyspraxia and need the additional support that the Academic Support Department is able to provide. We offer students from Years 3 to 13 individual or small group sessions with one of our five experienced and well qualified Academic Support Staff.
Some children arrive at BMS with difficulties that have already been diagnosed. Other children are identified through our screening processes and subsequently assessed by our own Specialist SpLD Teacher. We aim to ensure that students are identified as early as possible, this ensures that the most appropriate support is put in place and appropriate learning strategies developed. Some students may additionally be referred to our own linked Speech & Language therapist or to outside agencies such as an Educational Psychologist.
Once children have been identified as having a learning difficulty we produce Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in conjunction with parents, staff and students. These are delivered individually or in small groups according to a student's needs. We use a wide variety of resources such as software programmes, structured phonics, reading or spelling schemes and games. These are constantly being evaluated and updated.
Self esteem is vital for a student's success, so close links with parents play a vital role in ensuring that the students we support feel happy, confident and secure. We liaise with parents, form tutors, Heads of Year and Heads of Faculty on a regular basis to ensure that concerns can be discussed and shared at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Department has its own Academic Support Base at the heart of the Senior School, while our younger students are taught exclusively in our own area within the Junior School which is fully equipped with a variety of computer software and an extensive range of age appropriate resources.
If you would like further information about the Academic Support Department please don't hesitate to contact us on 01234 332210 or tcollins@bedmod.co.uk
