Welcome to the Learning Support Department

 

Much like the heart in a human body, we are placed in the middle of the school. We continue to offer unparalleled levels of provision to students and guidance to the teaching staff at Richard Challoner School, no matter how big or small the educational, social or pastoral difficulties might be.

A broad team of dedicated and hardworking Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), Specialist Staff, Teachers, Administrators & SENCOs make up a team of 35. By far the most extensive department in Richard Challoner and equal in size to many specialist schools. Learning support includes 3 Provisions (Enhanced Specialist Teaching Arrangement for Autism (ESTA), Our Newman Centre for SEMH and our exceptional Xavier Centre) operating and supporting in various areas throughout the school. 

However, our primary focus is what goes on in the classroom. Throughout Richard Challoner, you will find an extensive number of students being closely supported in the classroom by skilled LSAs, fully included within a mainstream curriculum. The Learning Support department is currently supporting approximately 900 mainstream lessons per week.

LSAs have regular and continuous support themselves to guarantee that the best possible methods are being used to support students. In addition, LSAs will overtly or discretely support a lesson with a range of proven methods, ensuring inclusion is paramount. Part of this inclusion is that students will build and learn resilience and independence as they develop up the school, no matter the severity of need.  

The school's Catholic ethos is integral to what we do and no doubt part of the school's wider success of supporting all students. However, as a department, we go further and have explored and developed our department staff values. 

• Patience
• Understanding 
• Sense of Humour 
• Kindness
• Support 
• Sensitivity 
• Willingness
• Adaptability 
• Versatility 
• Diplomacy 

 

Learning support Staffing Structure 

We divided the department into different teams and age phases to enable such a large team to coordinate and offer personal support at all levels. A staffing lead will manage each team, however, all department staff are overseen by our Lead SENCO and Head of Learning Support. 

You can see how this works on our Staffing Map below.