Personalised Learning Centre
What We Offer
The PLC is committed to building on and developing existing good practice
and offers personalised learning to a wide range of students by providing
a variety of support models including in-class, small group and one to
one. Support staff work right across the curriculum, liaising with subject
specialists in scheduled PPA sessions to ensure in-class support is effective.
We also meet student needs within the PLC by delivering programmes that
accommodate different timetable commitments that range from weekly withdrawal
to gradual reintegration into mainstream classes. Students attend the
PLC to work at both KS3 and 4, the former following individual literacy
and numeracy programmes, while the latter receive support with coursework
and exam preparation.
Gifted and Talented Provision
Students are identified for inclusion in the G&T
programme through Cognitive Ability Testing and staff recommendations.
Once identified, their progress is monitored and they are invited to participate
in activities such as workshops with visiting authors and targeted seminars
at universities. For example, students this term have attended whole day
activities at UEA on ‘Careers in Medicine’ and ‘Computer Game Design.’
Students identified within subject areas are similarly challenged and invited
to skill-based master classes.
Academic Success
This summer’s GCSE results for students on the SEN register exceeded last
year’s with over 80% achieving or exceeding their target grades in English,
Maths and Science. For the first time, as part of our alternative provision,
students had been entered for the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
and we were delighted when 100% of them achieved a Level 2 (the equivalent
to a B at GCSE.) Following this success, we are now offering a Foundation
Learning qualification for targeted students, which comprises a range of
short courses including Work Skills and Jamie Oliver’s ‘Cooking for Life.’
One-to-One Tuition
Last year saw the introduction of the government-funded initiative, One
to One Tuition in English and Maths, which we successfully ran for a total
of thirteen KS4 and twelve KS3 students. This year has seen a significant
increase in funding and we are currently offering tuition to forty two
students in both Key Stages with more places available in the summer term.
Support Beyond the Classroom
The PLC continues to work with a number of outside agencies offering student
counselling, home-school liaison and workshops that address self-esteem
and social issues. This term sees students attending Complementary Education
sessions at the Hermit Club and visiting professionals delivering team
skills through theatre and spray art workshops to both Key Stage 3 and
4.