Welcome to the Learning Support department.
The Learning Support Team at Great Barr School offers support to pupils individually, to those in small groups and to whole classes. Our links with the pastoral team and outside agencies, such as support services and educational psychologist services are strong and our support is also linked to the CRISP Criteria as directed by the Birmingham Local Education Authority.
Within the mainstream setting of Great Barr School, we have pupils attending with many individual needs varying from Learning Difficulties to Physical disabilities and we work in partnership with the LEA and the Pastoral team. There is also the Guidance and Support Team to further assist our pupils who may need to spend time in a smaller, more structured and safe environment.
The team co-ordinate their approach and hold regular meetings with the Pastoral Panel Team and carers, parents and pupils have an important part to play in the support we offer.
Our teaching assistants offer support for the alternative curriculum and adapt and modify the national curriculum to meet students’ needs. They work within the classroom, ensuring that pupils access the curriculum. The School also offers training for all Teaching Assistants and many are working towards their Level 3 qualifications.
There are approximately 45 pupils at Great Barr School with Statements of Education. Within the mainstream setting, some of these pupils will have teaching assistant support throughout their school day and some require withdrawal from lessons to concentrate on specific needs whilst others require support within the classroom.
The Learning Support Department consists of 14 teaching assistants, 3 full time teachers and 3 part time teachers and the SENCO, Gary Williams. As the team grows, teachers and teaching assistants alike bring their skills and experience to support and guide pupils within the mainstream setting of Great Barr School.
Teaching Staff:
Full Time:
Gary Williams: SENCO, Learning Support Teacher of English, promoting inclusion and ensuring that pupils of all abilities reach their potential.
Lynn O’Reilly: Learning Support Teacher and P.E. Specialist and Advisor for dyspraxia and physical disabilities.
Annette Page: Provision and Funding Coordinator (CRISP),tracking and monitoring progress of SEN pupils and specialising in literacy and numeracy interventions for pupils who require personalized learning.
Part Time:
Ollie Davies: Learning Support Teacher, delivering the Key Stage 3 English Curriculum and personalized learning strategies.
Kate Johnson: Learning Support Teacher, delivering the Key Stage 3 English Curriculum. Kate also specializes in supporting hearing and visually impaired pupils and those who have English as an Additional Language.
Wendy Trueman: Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages to pupils who have special educational needs and specialises in literacy and numeracy interventions.
Nicola Palmer: Higher Level Teaching Assistant – leading the Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistants:
Trace Bennett.
Cheryl Brennan.
Helen Large.
Bev Lancaster.
Michelle Oliver.
Dawn O’Connor.
Sam Robinson.
Diane Sedgley.
Ann Simpson.
Hannah Bryant.
Gaynor Stokes.
Claire Geraghty.
Christine Knowles.
Ademola Oni.
To provide multi-facetted support to the pupils of Great Barr School and in particular to those with special educational needs.
To support and progress the needs of those individuals and groups with learning difficulties and/or disabilities who may require additional support to fully access the wider curriculum.
To encourage individual pupils to reach their potential.
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