Learning Zone
Aims
our aim is to provide bespoke wave three intervention programmes for ALL students to enable them to achieve their potential in mainstream classes.
The creation of a 'Learning Zone' identity, culture and facility has been a radical departure from what previously constituted Learning Support. The Learning Zone is more comprehensive in its approach to supporting students with their learning. It caters for all students who are identified as underachieving in relation to their targets and focuses on providing personalised support around the aspects of Literacy, Numeracy and BESD. Over time the Academic Intervention aspect of the Learning Zone will merge more closely with existing Pastoral Intervention, IAG conversations and the Academy wide use of ILP's to produce fully inclusive coordination of support and care across the Academy.
Mission Statement
Our purpose is to support the Academy aims of "Enjoying 'Life in all it's fullness' by achieving your personal best" by delivering Wave Two and Wave Three Interventions in accordance with Government policy.
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Interventions
The Learning Zone has a team of skilled and specialist trained staff who are able to offer various tailored programmes to either individuals or groups depending on their pastoral and educational needs. We support learning in the classroom by providing additional one-to-one or group work, and run specialised literacy and numeracy courses for students who need support to achieve their full educational potential, whatever that potential may be. We work with a wide range of students, from those needing pastoral support, EASL, students with SEN, and Gifted and Talented pupils. We also provide support the learning across the curriculum with Learning Support Workers working with targeted pupils in all subject areas.
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Identification of Students
Identification of the students who need Wave 3 Intervention
Annual whole school testing using:
- CATs, NFER Form C & D, Progress in Maths, Single Word Spelling, WRAT 3, Specialist tests (HOLS), KS2 Results (Transition primary) & Referrals
- Tracking individual progress carefully against national comparisons & identifying at the earliest opportunity all those whose progress gives cause for concern
- Familiarity with the evidence base for different Wave 3 Interventions
By thoroughly assessing students on entry, wave three interventions are matched to students needs. They are then delivered by skilled trained staff to accelerate progress and raise attainment for each individual.
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Intervention categories
Following whole-school assessment students are divided into target groups as follows:
Olympic Standard: Students with a reading age of between 3 and 5 years below their chronological age and students working at or below level 3 in English and Maths. Students who are at risk of permanent exclusion.
Gold Standard: Students with a reading age of between 18 months and 3 years below their chronological age and students stuck at level 4 in English and Maths. Students who have a PSP/AIA.
Silver Standard: Students with a reading age of between 6 months and 18 months below their chronological age and students stuck at level 4 and 5 in English and Maths. Students who have a referral from the Inclusion panel.
Academy Standard: Students who need to improve their handwriting.
Global Standard: Students who have English as a second language
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Intervention courses
Students undertake a variety and combination of Intervention programmes matched to individual needs, that run from between six weeks to selected periods throughout the whole year, with frequent reviews.
Half termly evaluation of the impact of Learning Zone Wave 3 Interventions ensures that students are, on average doubling the normal rate of progress.
Each department runs specific courses either in numeracy, literacy or BESD (Behavioral, emotional and social development). Details can be found below of specific resources available, and programmes delivered dependent on the individual student referred.
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Assessment
Each student who is offered support in The Learning Zone is assessed by our Specialist Teacher to ensure that they are given the right programme of support. Literacy Interventions are normally determined by Reading Age. APP or any AEN the student might have. There is also the option for teaching staff to request support from The Learning Zone, for example to provide extra help for gifted and talented students in their coursework. All new arrivals to the Academy will be assessed and placed in the appropriate set.
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Literacy
The Learning Zone offers an extensive library of high-interest books aimed at reluctant readers or those with a low reading age. We use this library to run two specific group interventions targeting those who have a reading age three years below their chronological age, and who need regular reading practise to improve their skills:
Buddy Reading
Buddy Reading is our very successful peer mentoring system. Students from years ten and eleven are paired with year seven students and provide support and encouragement during registration reading sessions as they continue their reading journey from year six. This also provides valuable support with the transition process to high school.
Reading Challenge
Learning Support workers are strategically paired with students with a reading age two years below their chronological age, and read for two fifteen minute sessions each day for a period of six weeks.
For pupils with AEN who may need specialist support, or those who have a reading age of three or more years below their chronological age, we provide two main schemes of work to support their studies:
Synthetic Phonics
Learning Support Workers who have received specialist training deliver the Ruth Miskin 'Read, Write, Inc' programme of synthetic phonics to those students with a reading age three or more years below their chronological age. Alongside the basic programme, we also deliver units on spelling, writing and comprehension.
Toe-by-Toe
A tried and tested specialist programme of study aimed at dyslexic students or older non-readers.
We also offer a library of specialist literacy reading schemes, resourced and run as intervention schemes of work. Texts and worksheets are specifically designed to provide high-interest material for teenagers who have a reading age of between one year and three years below their chronological age
Rapid Reading
An intensive reading programme which includes both one-to-one tuition with a specially trained member of staff and a computer element whereby computers are equipped with voice recognition software, allowing the student to read to the computer and hear their recording, before completing worksheets with a strong phonic and comprehension focus. This study programme is structured to bridge the sometimes difficult transition between primary and secondary education, by providing vital continuity between reading programmes.
Fast Lane
A follow-up programme for those who have completed all the levels of Rapid Reading, this intervention is similar in nature but with an emphasis on different types of texts, strong links with the curriculum, and an opportunity to interact with characters and themes suited to the age and interest of early teenagers.
Dangerous Games
With exciting graphics verging on the graphic novel and exciting plots, this intervention aims to engage the struggling reader, and support their understanding of character, sentence structure, punctuation and basic comprehension skills.
Shadows
A darkly atmospheric guided reading programme aimed at attracting readers aged 11-14 with a reading age of seven and above. Worksheets are aimed at developing language skills, comprehension, knowledge of story structure and imagination, and often have an element of role-play.
Double Club
English Based around the adventures of a local football club which has hit the big-time, this high-interest approach to a range of texts is very successful in engaging boys with low-literacy skills. The intervention is designed in line with APP levels, and aims to move students between levels 3-4 and then to secure those level 4 skills.
Magic Mates
Initially bought to encourage female students who wished to read in pairs rather than alone, this guided reading scheme follows the fortunes of a group of girl friends through a series of adventures. Worksheets are closely linked to national curriculum objectives, and have a focus on speaking and listening skills, as well as comprehension and language. The series has been so successful that we now offer a similar scheme for boys - 'Mystery Mob'.
The Jags
Again with a focus on football, this series follows the adventures of a group of footie-mad boys both on and off the field. Reading gives opportunity for dramatic expression, and worksheets focus on language skills.
Superscripts
Encouraging readers with a reading age of between six and seven, but a chronological age of 9-14, these exciting and often humorous plays are very popular with students, and encourage those with low confidence levels to engage in drama activities. Worksheets have an emphasis on understanding character, plot and give students the opportunity to explore dramatic technique, and are closely tied to the Secondary National Strategy English Framework.
Skillsbuilders - Reading and Writing
Aimed to help students progress between levels three and five, these integrated workbooks give students lots of practices to develop their skills. Reading Comprehension offers advice on how to infer and deduce, and exercises to help understand the craft of the writer, and how they use language for effect. Writing gives students practice and support in improving their writing in a range of styles, and advice on techniques that they can then transfer to mainstream classes to improve their levels.
Pelican
This provides an effective guided reading programme and is ideal to deliver to small groups, and support students in their comprehension of non-fiction texts. It provides a range of well-presented non-fiction texts on subjects ranging from Mountains to WWII, with graded worksheets that give students guidance and practice in techniques such as skimming, scanning, inference and help in structuring answers to comprehension questions.
Barrington Stoke
These high-interest fiction texts and differentiated worksheets encourage progress across the ability ranges. Subject matter encourages students to reflect on diverse issues and the way the narrative is presented helps develop knowledge of themes and the craft of the author. Accompanying worksheets develop further a conscious knowledge of the writers' use of language and scaffold techniques such as how to closely read for meaning. As interventions, we use these in group work, and on a one-to-one basis for students across the key stages who may need much or little support both in their reading and comprehension skills.
Handwriting
Students can be referred by subject teachers, parents or themselves for handwriting intervention. We teach basic letter formation, letter joins and help improve legibility and/or speed of writing through a structured workbook which provides support in learning essential techniques, and plenty of chances for basic writing practise.
Downloads
These non-fiction texts are presented with exciting colourful graphics, on a range of high-interest topics such as Fast Cars, and BMX. They appeal particularly to boys, and help with information retrieval skills such as skimming and scanning for information. An interactive CD-Rom element adds to the interest, as do worksheets that scaffold progress, building confidence and introducing imaginative writing tasks alongside traditional cloze passage exercises.
For Students with English as an Additional Language we provide two main intervention programmes. In addition, the above interventions can also be helpful, to extend students and enable practise in reading or writing skills. We also provide resources to help stretch EAL students who already have a firm grasp of English, with specialist vocabulary and grammar books available, and an interactive 'Practical English' CD-Rom independent course of study. Our EAL library includes a range of English/Polish dictionaries, both traditional and visual.
Project
Designed for EAL students with little or no knowledge of the English Language, this programme is a five-level course for young learners aged 10-14/15. It aims particularly at presenting language in realistic and motivating contexts, and places emphasis on bringing English to life within a structured learning environment. Projects themes are cross-curricular but and it starts with providing a grasp of practical everyday vocabulary. Audio resources and interactive programmes complement workbooks and so essential skills in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing are covered thoroughly. This intervention is either delivered by a dedicated LSW to small groups of students, or run as a one-to-one intervention for new arrivals.
Headway
Aimed at Adult Learners, Headway is a well-known EAL course which provides essential help in grammar, sentence structure and checks students' comprehension. Led by an LSW, this is delivered to students with EAL who speak and understand English well, but who can fall into incorrect grammatical patterns when writing, and need extra help to achieve the grades they deserve.
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EASL
Pupils who have English as a second language are assessed on arrival to enable the correct placement in lessons and are supported by very experienced LSWs. One LSW has extensive experience and qualifications in supporting the learning of pupils who have EASL. Another LSW is a polish National and supports EASL pupils across the curriculum.
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Numeracy
topThe Learning Zone offers targeted numeracy schemes of work and has available a bank of resources such as courses with an interactive computerized element, and educational mathematical and puzzle games, developed to increase students' cognitive skills alongside increasing their knowledge of key mathematical concepts. We provide support using the following schemes:
Buddy Maths
Buddy Maths will be a peer mentoring system.Students from years 10 and 11 will be paired with year 7 students and provide support and encouragement during registration.
This also provides valuable mathematical support with the transition process to high school.
SuccessMaker
An integrated learning scheme with a strong interactive computer element. Students are assessed and automatically moved up to appropriate levels of questioning, whilst appealing age-appropriate graphics ensure that they are engaged with the activity. With a strong focus on the most critical maths concepts, individualized learning for every student. Embedded assessment finds just the right starting point in the curriculum and the program's dynamic presentation of content focuses instruction on areas where each learner's skills need to be strengthened.
The program is highly interactive, addressing multiple learning modalities and making students active participants in their learning. Plus, the game-like formats of many activities are challenging and motivating so learners can't wait to use the program.
Phoenix Times Table
This interactive, multi-sensory software supports learners by using image, shape and colour. This has particular benefit to students who are visual or kinesthetic learners, and may struggle in a traditional classroom It is ideal for use with all abilities, but particularly visual-spatial and dyslexic pupils who learn best through images and shapes, embedding the multiplication facts in a coloured shape that learners can securely commit to long-term memory .
Its integrated system of assessment encourages students to think positively about their knowledge, and supports their practical application.
Time
Using multi-sensory resources, with plenty of colourful graphics, practical examples and real-life role-play, our time-telling course is delivered to either individuals or small groups, re-enforcing prior knowledge and extending life skills.
Functional Skills
Presenting students with real problems they find in everyday life provides them with the necessary practical support to ensure they reach their potential, whatever their chosen career. These tests not only provide a valuable qualification in their own right, but provide a good basis from which to approach getting the grades students need during their GCSEs. The Functional Skills syllabus is structured from entry 3 to Level 2 and incorporates NC Levels 3-6.
Grade Booster Maths
Using questions from the EDEXEL GCSE Mathematics papers, our intervention provides valuable booster lessons for those taking the GCSE and not yet achieving their target grades. One-to-one support in this area, together with the correct resources, can have great impact on moving between a grade 'D' and a grade 'C' in the final examination.
Level-up Maths
A step-by-step guide designed to break problems down into small stages, thus ensuring each student has a firm grasp of the concept and improving their maths skills level-by-level. The programme takes students from between level 1 to level 5, with six-weekly assessments built-in to each study area, which ensures that students are not moved on until they have a firm grasp of each key area.
Evolve
Re-enforcing basic mathematical concepts and delivering a programme of study which will aim to move students between a level three and a level four, Evolve provides colourful and easy-to-understand texts with appealing graphics. It covers key areas such as length, weight and data handling.
Quick Fix Maths
From September we will be trialing this as a twelve-week programme which will both scaffold the learning of those who need further support and challenge students who are more able by providing differentiated worksheets. In line with National Curriculum frameworks, this charts students progress, enabling them to take control of their own learning as they watch themselves progress through bronze, silver and gold levels.
Pastoral Support
We support identified pupils from key stage 3 and 4 who might have difficulties accessing the curriculum due to pastoral reasons. These pupils are given the chance to follow their class work or 'catch-up' with individual tuition, and we have a range of resourceThe Learning Zone offers targeted numeracy schemes of work and has available a bank of resources such as courses with an interactive computerized element, and educational mathematical and puzzle games, developed to increase students' cognitive skills alongside increasing their knowledge of key mathematical concepts. We provide support using the following schemes:
We offer a well-staffed 'safe haven' lunchtime area, plus a before and after-school facility where pupils can relax in a non-stressful environment.
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How We Provide Support
Specifically, our focus is to concentrate on the individual's needs, providing a well-planned range of activities which will assist that students' academic development and emotional well-being. Thus, programmes are designed around the student. A sample course of study will start with an assessment of reading age, and discussion with class teachers, alongside data such as APP targets.
For example, a typical course of study for a student who is not reaching their literacy targets might include sessions on handwriting as part of a small group work, some information retrieval study using the 'Download' programme, and one-to-one tuition in targeted areas.
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