Students with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities: Special Educational Needs
“A Key strength of the School is the resolute action taken to fulfill its commitment to inclusion” (Ofsted March 2009)
Danum School Technology College is an inclusive school, and provides individual support for all pupils, including those on the Special Needs List, those considered to be Vulnerable and those with a Statement. The School was awarded the Inclusion Chartermark for its excellent practice in this field. The Ofsted report (March 2009) said “Students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make equally good progress” to the overall good progress across year groups.
Students with special educational needs, for whatever reason, are not set apart from the rest of the school. They are integrated fully into form tutor groups and have lessons with their peers. They receive help inside their teaching sets in a variety of ways. Children who need extra support in literacy and numeracy are given additional adult support in lessons and may be withdrawn to be taught for these lessons in very small groups, where appropriate. In both buildings, there is a well equipped Learning Support Centre which provides a wide range of specialist SEN support. Ofsted (March 2009) reported “Curriculum choice for Vulnerable Students and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is good and personalised to specific needs and abilities.” It also said that the curriculum provision is “transforming learning and significantly improving, for those pupils, their overall achievement and standards.”
Students with special educational needs are also integrated fully into the general life of the school and have access to the extra curricular activities available. Special provision and arrangements will be made so that each individual pupil can access at their own pace. The School also has a Co-ordinator for more able and talented students who is responsible for developing programmes to enhance their abilities.
