LEARNING SUPPORT
Education is not something you can fill a pail with, but rather something that you can light a fire in. — Sir Ken Robinson
At The Moonstone Academy, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, a principle upheld by every member of our school community. As a selective institution, all of our students have excelled in a demanding entrance exam, showcasing their academic prowess. Nevertheless, there may be moments during their educational journey when additional support is necessary to help them fully access the curriculum, whether due to academic challenges or social and emotional well-being.
Head of Department: Mr. J Thompson
Learning Support Assistants: Ms. L Williams, Mr. A Roberts
At The Moonstone Academy, our Learning Support Team (LST) is led by the SENCO, Mr. James Thompson, and supported by a dedicated group of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs). We have a specialized room designed to offer a quieter, less formal space where students can receive tailored support. This space is equipped with a variety of laptops for student use, along with additional resources aimed at helping with organization and promoting social and emotional well-being.
As a fully inclusive school, students with SEND follow the same core curriculum as their peers in KS3, and they are included in the full range of GCSEs and A Levels. In rare cases, when a student finds it challenging to manage the academic demands, we may consider reducing their subject load in consultation with their parents or carers. Our priority is to ensure every student has equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum, complemented by a diverse extra-curricular program. Students with SEND play a significant role in our school’s music, drama, and sports activities, actively contributing to these areas.
We believe that subject-specific teachers are best positioned to meet students’ academic needs. To support them, the Learning Support Team provides ongoing assistance to help teachers create an inclusive learning environment. We supply staff with detailed student profiles, updated regularly, or teacher guidance documents to ensure everyone is equipped to meet the needs of each student. These profiles include valuable input from the students themselves, ensuring their voices are heard, and also involve collaboration with parents or carers in shaping the support provided. In addition, our staff receive professional development in various aspects of special education and disability, and they can attend after-school sessions to seek advice or share successful practices. Should any learning concerns arise, staff are encouraged to report them, and we will investigate and provide the necessary support.
The progress of SEND students is carefully tracked through regular SEND audits and learning walks conducted by the Learning Support Team, alongside assessments reviewed by Heads of Department during data analysis.
Our inclusion register is specifically for students who have been identified as needing additional support from the Learning Support Team, beyond the standard provisions. We also maintain an Inclusion Aware Register for students who have an identified need but are not currently facing significant learning barriers, with their needs being addressed through high-quality classroom teaching. The Learning Support Team takes a personalized approach, focusing on each student’s unique needs rather than just their diagnosis.
Students with EHCPs receive strong support from the Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), particularly to help them participate in mainstream lessons, which they do with success. The LSAs also provide targeted interventions for small groups or individuals, supporting areas such as organization and social communication skills to enhance the overall school experience.
The Learning Support Team assist in the following ways:
- In-class support
- Access to additional extracurricular opportunities
- Support during Year 7 and Year 12 transitions
- Targeted small group interventions
- Organizational help
- Emotional wellbeing support
- Social support during lunch and breaks
- Activities to improve social communication
- Arranging and managing exam accommodations
- Assistance with independent study
- Guidance on developing effective study skills
- Collaborating with and seeking advice from various external professionals and services
Future Pathways
Numerous students who have received support from our Learning Support Team at Moonstone have gone on to pursue their higher education at prestigious universities. Over the past two years, some of the destinations have included The University of Cambridge, Loughborough University, Durham University, The University of Manchester, and The University of Leeds.
Kindly refer to our Policies page for the following documents:
- Policy on Accessibility Planning
- Policy on Exam Access Arrangements
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy
“At Moonstone Academy, we are dedicated to providing exceptional support to ensure our students have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential, both academically and in the broader community.”