Providing Learning Support

All students at Whitworth Park Academy benefit from high quality teaching, which includes an appropriate curriculum differentiated to meet the needs of all learners, including those who need support or extension.

At Whitworth Park, we adopt a graduated response to meeting the needs of our students with SEND. Learning support is delivered using a three-stage model:

Wave 1 | QFT – Quality First Teaching

This involves: 

• Ensuring that the teacher has the highest possible expectations for your child and all students in their class.
• Ensuring that all teaching is based on building on what your child already knows, can do and understands.
• Putting in place different ways of teaching so that your child is fully involved in learning in class.
• Putting in place specific strategies (which may be suggested by the SENCO or external staff) to support your child to learn.

Wave 2 | Small Group Intervention

If your child is struggling with aspects of literacy, numeracy, speech and language or social skills, they will be given the opportunity to access additional small group intervention. Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) and a Specialist Speech and Language teacher will work with your child on an appropriate programme to boost their skills to ensure that they are able to access the school curriculum.

Wave 3 | Individualised 1:1 Support

Children who are working significantly below national and age- related expectations may benefit from Wave 3 intervention. This type of intervention would involve a highly structured 1:1 support programme which would be delivered by an LSA, Specialist Speech and Language Teacher or in some cases an external agency, depending on the area of need.