Learning Support

We believe every student has the right to achieve success and make progress at school, regardless of their ability. Every student with special education needs also has the right to receive extra support to ensure that they meet their full potential.

Teachers plan programmes and strategies to cater for the individual needs of the students in their class. A student who is not achieving success may be offered extra support by the school.

Classroom teachers refer children to the learning support committee when concerns are raised about student progress.  The learning support meets regularly to discuss, prioritise, allocate resources and monitor progress of students on the Special Needs Register.

Support that can be provided may include specialist support, therapy, staffing, equipment and other materials, property modification and transport, as well as advice.

Our Learning Support Workers run a range of programmes to support learning both with individuals, groups and in class support.

Sumner School works closely with the Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) Service.  This group of specialist teachers accept students onto their roll when they have been referred by the school.  The RTLBs work with staff , providing support and recommendations for classroom programmes.

The Board of Trustees provides significant funding to support children with their learning at Sumner School.

We have six learning support workers who work with children requiring learning support in literacy and numeracy. They, along with the teachers, are trained to teach a variety of programmes eg phonological awareness, to the children. Some children receive additional assistance within the classroom programme and some are withdrawn to work individually or in a small group with the LSW.

The Reading Recovery Programme is an early intervention programme designed to assist 6 and 7 year old children with literacy difficulties. This daily programme is run by a trained teacher.

If children enter any of the above learning support programmes the parents are kept fully informed of progress.

ESOL – English as Second Language
We have a trained ESOL learning support worker who works with children where English is their second language.

If you believe that your child is in need of some extra support for their learning, please feel free to contact your child's class teacher to discuss this. 

For further information on learning support please visit the following websites:

Ministry of Education 

Dyslexia Potential