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Individual needs 

 

Pennthorpe has an Individual Needs Co-ordinator responsible for ensuring that every child's learning journey is uniquely tailored to them. 

Teachers are vigilant throughout the school to identify pupils in need of individual support. If a teacher suspects a child has Special Needs this is reported, as appropriate, to:

  • The Head of the Pre-Prep School (up to Year 2)
  • The Individual Needs Co-ordinator

The pupil's needs are then discussed with his/her teachers and parents and strategies agreed.

 

Specific Learning Difficulty

In cases where a Specific Learning Difficulty may be present, an Educational Psychologist's Report may be requested. 

A pupil who is found to have a Specific Learning Difficulty (e.g. Dyslexia) will be referred to one of the School's SEN Co-ordinators and with the agreement of parents, will receive individual, specialist tuition with one of our qualified and experienced Learning Support tutors.

Individual learning programmes are planned for each pupil.  These include a structured phonic and rule-based framework for reading and spelling. There is also a focus on reading for meaning. Help with handwriting will be included if required, and assistance may also be given with numeracy skills.

Learning Support tutors liaise closely with Class Teachers (up to Year 3) and Form Tutors (Years 4 - 8) to ensure that learning strategies are carried forward into the classroom.

Parents have regular opportunities to meet with the Learning Support tutor for progress updates and to agree the ongoing programme. The agreed programme is put in writing and sent to parents for approval.

 

Academically gifted and talented

Pupils who show special academic promise are given differentiated provision in order to ensure that they achieve their full potential. In addition to their record of 100% success in 13+ Common Entrance examinations, a great many Pennthorpe pupils win academic scholarships to top senior schools.

Effective preparation for scholarship is achieved through subject setting (ability grouping) and through the provision of additional scholarship tutorials.

In exceptional cases a gifted pupil may be moved up to work a year above his/her chronological age group.

PALS

In the Middle and Senior School academically able children may also be invited to join PALS (the Pennthorpe Accelerated Learning Scheme). PALS members are invited to attend school on one Saturday morning every half term, when they take part in intellectually challenging activities in each of the three ‘core' subjects of maths, English & science. The activities are designed to develop the pupils' higher level thinking and problem solving skills. PALS is a highly stimulating environment where like-minded children can enjoy sharing a challenge.