SEN Newsletter - Summer 2013 - Staffordshire Learning Net ...

At the beginning of Y8, J came in to visit on the staff training days before start of term to reduce the shock
of returning to school after the long break. He was in good spirits and pleased to meet up with the staff.
Teacher time was made available to give J extra support and some subject staff also visited, bringing and
marking work for him. He really appreciated this contact and gradually returned to more lessons.
Assessment grades were good and despite the lack of time in lessons, J continued to make good progress.
During this time J worked closely with two or three members of staff and built up good relationships. Staff
were prepared to give up their own time and worked with J developing his areas of interest – planes (train
spotting with wings – although J disagrees with this view of his hobby) and photography. J’s lack of
tolerance of students and the school environment led to some extreme reactions and it was not unknown
for him to hide under tables and refuse to speak to staff for considerable periods of time.
In Y9 J attended every lesson with the support of an excellent teaching assistant who challenged and
encouraged depending on the task. His parents, members of staff in school, and outside agencies
involved were extremely proud of his achievements and his willingness to work with staff and accept and
follow their advice in challenging situations. Occasional outbursts of frustration caused by other students
winding him up still occurred but could be discussed rationally and strategies put in place to prevent a
reoccurrence. At the end of the year J was awarded a subject prize in science, a 100% attendance
certificate and a special award for perseverance. By this time J was receiving very little TA support in
lessons.
In Y10 J now has extremely limited TA support and he is much happier with fewer subjects of his choosing.
He has 4 hours of mentoring in PE time – the only lesson J does not attend. He has taken part in an
overnight Geography trip, supported by a member of staff, and recently went on a three night trip to the
battlefields in France and Belgium without any additional support.
This article was jointly written with J and has his full approval and his rather large folder of records was
helpful in compiling it. J’s early years at Cheslyn Hay have not only seen his progression but have aided the
progression of members of staff, the Learning Support Department and the school.
Article written by Libby Beesley (SENCO) at Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High and J.
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