Wade Deacon High School’s policy for special education needs is a whole school one.  All teachers are teachers of pupils with special needs. The Pupil Support and Guidance Centre and its staff are committed to supporting pupils with special educational needs to learn alongside their peers.

STAFFING:
1 full-time Leader of Pupil Support and Guidance Team (Teacher of the Deaf and SENCO)

1 Behaviour Co-ordinator
1full-time Lead Learning Mentor

1 full-time Learning Mentor

2 part-time Year Team Support
3 full-time Learning Support Assistants
1 part-time Learning Support Assistant

1 part-time Specialist Learning Support Administrator

1 part-time Learning Support Administrator

FACILITIES:
At present the Pupils Support and Guidance (PSGC) area includes one large, bright classroom (with six computers and printer), two smaller classrooms for small group work, and a Computer Room (twelve computers and printer for use with SuccessMaker, Tutorial Sessions, Personalised Learning Programmes and general classes). In addition there are two rooms where the Learning Mentors work from and a room where the Year Team Support workers are based. All these rooms are extremely well furnished and resourced, providing students with a comfortable and appropriate learning environment.

These rooms provide support for:
• Basic Skills
This targets Year 7/8 pupils who use the SuccessMaker Programme and other computer based programmes during their English lessons and after-school intervention as they work towards attaining a reading and spelling age above 10 years. Homework Clubs provide support for pupils after school to enable them to receive help with homework they find difficult. In Year 9 pupils who continue to need support receive Basic Skill practice to develop their reading and writing skills further. Tutorial Sessions are offered for pupils in Years 10 &11 to enable them to keep up with their GCSE coursework.

• Hearing Impaired Pupils
Hearing Impaired pupils can be withdrawn to the Pupil Support and Guidance Centre.  At present all pupils are fully integrated into mainstream lessons. Tutorial Sessions are also offered to pupils who opt for a reduced examination timetable at KS4 or are provided with a personalized timetable.

• Mentoring
A large number of pupils have a mentor/key worker to ensure they work towards their potential. A pupil discusses with their mentor/key worker any difficulties they might be experiencing. Mentors suggest strategies that may help the pupil overcome the difficulties identified, set short term targets and monitor pupil progress.

• Behaviour Management
The PSGC has Behaviour Support Co-ordinator, a classroom assistant and two Year Team Support staff. These staff cater for Key Stage 3 & 4 pupils who need additional help and support for a variety of reasons.

• Learning in the mainstream classroom

In-class support is provided, where appropriate, and is available for pupils with special educational needs and those pupils who are not meeting their targets.