Learning Support

In the Pre-School Nursery, the average pupil:teacher ratio is 1:6.  Children with specific educational needs are therefore more easily identified and can be helped, within the classroom by class and subject teachers, much more readily than in schools with larger class sizes.

Classroom Assistance

Classroom support from Assistants is available to teachers, especially in the Infant Department, to make teaching groups even smaller and more effective.

Learning Support Teacher

Individual assistance, particularly for children with a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, is available from a specialist teacher within the School.  Children are taught on a one-to-one basis, and given re-enforcement work according to their own specific needs, utilising a variety of methods, including specially designed computer software.  These lessons are charged separately.  Parents are encouraged to become directly involved in the learning support process, and a close liaison between the teacher and parents is actively sought.

Dyslexia Screening

When children reach the age of at least 6 ½ years, all pupils atChardSchooltake a Dyslexia Screening Test (DST) which is designed to check whether a child shows signs of dyslexia or related problems in reading.  The DST is not a formal test, with each of the four parts of the test being designed to be fun and stress-free for the child.  Lasting approximately 30 minutes per child, the test covers a range of early skills, including the child’s knowledge, language skills, speed, balance, and hand-eye coordination.  By looking at a range of skills, strengths as well as weaknesses can be pinpointed, and this can be very helpful when considering how to help an individual child reach their potential.  From the results of the DST, it can also be assessed whether a child may have subtle hearing or memory problems, which could make learning to read more challenging.  Parents are always asked for written permission for the test to take place.

Assessment

All pupils are assessed, by both written and teacher assessment at regular intervals, so that progress can be continually reviewed and acted upon where necessary.

Child Protection: Safeguarding Children

All staff employed at Chard School have enhanced CRB disclosures.  The school has a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which can be viewed here or by request to the Head at any time.