One of the key aspects of education at Rye is the importance of each pupil as an individual. Teaching is tailored towards individual strengths and interests with needs fully supported. Our Learning Support team works with each pupil who needs it, whatever their age or ability, with sessions integrated as seamlessly as possible into the school timetable.

Diagnostic testing and regular progress reviews ensure that pupils are receiving the best possible help and support, while the pupil passport system gives a helpful overview of their learning profile. Our experienced Learning Support team recognises that communication is the key to success – whether this is with the pupil, with parents, with other teachers, or with outside agencies.

For pupils with a specific learning difficulty – for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia – our Learning Support team guides pupils with the development of study skills, personal organisation, and learning strategies. The purpose of our integrated Learning Support programme is to ensure that pupils can develop the skills needed to follow an inclusive programme of study throughout their school years.

Our School Counsellor, Liz Eldridge, also works with the Learning Support teachers to promote mental and emotional health.

The Head of the Learning Support team is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Sophie Winwright. Ms Winwright can be contacted directly: swinwright@ryestantony.co.uk

The Learning Support Process

In advance of each pupil’s entry, a school reference and the most recent school report will have been requested, together with any relevant additional information (for example an educational psychologist’s report), so that this material can be made available to subject teachers, form tutors and Learning Support teachers. Pre-entry reports and assessments give valuable baseline data, and pupil progress is then carefully monitored and recorded to keep pupil, parents, and teachers clearly aware of the pupil’s learning profile and how best to support the pupil’s progress. Any pupil having help from a Learning Support teacher will have an individual education plan as well as a pupil passport.

Fees for Learning Support are charged at an hourly rate, details as given in the annual fee schedule.

Learning Difficulties and Special Educational Needs

‘The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice (2015) takes into consideration the Equalities Act (2010) setting out the right for disabled pupils not to be discriminated against in education, and we follow this Code of Practice. We recognise that that pupils with learning difficulties or special educational needs might need specifically adapted learning experiences. We also aim to integrate these pupils as far as possible into all activities. For further details, please see the Disability Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Learning Support Policy.