Academic

At Edge Grove, we offer a number of additional support measures to pupils who may need it.

The Learning Support Department covers both SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and EAL (English as an Additional Language). 

The Department is made up of the Head of Learning Support and SENDco Leanne Simmonds, Learning Support Teacher Simba Mika, EAL teacher Harry Bissix, and our Learning Support Assistants.

Our SENDco, Mrs Simmonds has been working in this field for over 10 years, across a range of settings. She has training and expertise in a range of areas of SEND. She strongly advocates removing barriers to learning, working pro-actively and collaboratively with both staff and pupils, providing the additional learning support that children need to reach their fullest potential not only during their time at Edge Grove but also for their future.

Mr Mika has 13 years of experience working in schools across a range of settings. He holds qualifications in both Primary and Secondary (Computer Science) education and has taught Life Skills. Simba is involved in supporting children in groups, one-on-one, and within classroom settings, running a variety of interventions for academic and emotional support.

Mr Bissix, our EAL Teacher, has worked in both European and UK schools supporting learners new to English. Harry supports children to further develop both their expressive and receptive understanding of the English Language using a variety of teaching methods and resources. Harry works across the school from Early years through to the Senior Department.

Our Learning Support Assistants in the Junior, Middle and Senior Departments have a variety of skills and expertise from Dyslexia to Mental Health training and many are qualified teachers.

At Edge Grove, we value the fact that ALL pupils bring to School different experiences and strengths that influence the way they learn. We are committed to identifying each pupil’s individual learning needs and we offer provision that is flexible and varied, to ensure that children work at age-related expectations or above and achieve their personal potential, whatever their needs and abilities.

There is frequent SEND/EAL-based training for staff, and the SENDCO spends time in classes to support teachers to offer outstanding differentiated / adapted learning, and to better understand the needs of their pupils.

The SENDCo works closely with parents to ensure children are supported both at home and at school.

Please contact the School if you are a prospective parent with a child with EAL or SEND needs, to discuss what level of support we can offer. Assessments at the time of application will be used to better understand their needs before any offer can be made.