Learning Support

At Sherborne, the Learning Support Department provides individual structured support for students with identified specific learning difficulties. We recognise that each student needing help has a unique profile of strengths and weaknesses in learning and therefore offer tailored support, on a one-to-one basis. Our aim is to design a teaching programme tailored to suit each student that we teach. Qualified specialist teachers provide help for students with difficulties in literacy skills, numeracy skills, organisation, memory and other study skills.

Students with identified needs at Prep school can opt to receive Learning Support as part of the school entry. In addition, during the first term at Sherborne all new third form students are screened for specific learning difficulties and we feedback any concerns to parents to discuss the next course of action. Although most students receive one half-hour session of support per week, in some individual cases a reduced timetable may be offered to ensure learning support can be provided in a timetabled period.

The Department is located centrally and works closely with the main school to support the individual needs of each student and information about a student's specific learning difficulty is distributed to all teachers via the school intranet. We recognise that difficulties may arise at any time, and teachers are able to share any concerns about a student with the Learning Support Department in order to assess individual needs. Some students, who are eligible for examination concessions/access arrangements, do not necessarily always require additional support in the form of learning support. Similarly, not all students who receive learning support will be eligible for examination concessions. Assessment for examination concessions will usually take place during the third or fourth form.

Pearl Barnes BSc MA PGCertEd CPT3A
Head of Learning Support