Learning Support

The Learning Support Unit helps children with a range of needs on either a short- or longer-term basis. We aim to build children’s self-confidence and independence as learners so that they are better able to manage individual barriers to learning and fulfil their potential.

We have a team of four specialist teachers who are experienced in teaching pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism, Attention Deficit Disorders, Memory and Processing weaknesses. We offer structured, cumulative, multisensory Dyslexia programmes alongside targeted Reading, Writing and Maths support, help with study skills and revision and tutoring in Touch Typing and Assistive Technologies. In addition, we support children to boost their memory, organisation, fine motor skills and handwriting.

Once a need has been identified and usually following an internal assessment, lessons are designed and delivered individually to a bespoke plan. There is regular liaison with the form and subject teachers and regular feedback is given to parents.

Although elements of assessment and review are built into each session, a more formal review of the intervention and progress is made each term at a minimum. Parents have the opportunity to meet with the Learning Support teacher and/or Head of LSU at Parents Evenings and on request. Boarding parents often choose a video call or arrange a meeting before Exeat or Half Term/end of Term.

If concerns about a child’s progress persist, we have links with local Educational Psychologists, who can visit the school to carry out a full assessment and make recommendations for targeted support and intervention. This is a private arrangement between parents and the EP but as a rough guide, the cost is around £800 and includes verbal feedback and a full written report. Our waiting list is usually around 4-6 months.

We are very fortunate to have an Independent Speech Therapist visit us weekly to offer therapy to individual pupils. Angela Graham is a specialist in Autistic Spectrum Conditions and, alongside therapy for pupils with speech sound delay and dysfluency, she offers social communication and emotional regulation support using programmes such as “Talkabout” and “Zones of Regulation”. Angela offers private Speech and Language assessments which inform any subsequent therapy work.

Charges for LSU lessons and Speech Therapy are on the fee list. 

SEN Information Report  SEND Policy

My child has benefitted enormously from the LSU provision and made some remarkable progress under their tutelage; it has been first class. This combined with the most wonderful Form Teacher and staff have enabled her to recover massive gaps left by her previous school while not damaging her self-esteem and confidence. It has been quite something to watch.

Mrs Rebecca Seery, Head of Learning Support

A languages graduate from the University of Birmingham, Rebecca taught across the Primary range before working and training as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and achieving the National Award for SEN Co-ordination in 2015. In her teaching career, she has worked as a Class Teacher, Intervention Teacher, ‘Catch Up’ Tutor and Learning Support Teacher. She has worked as Head of Learning Support in the Independent sector since 2018, joining Hazlegrove in September 2021. 

“I strongly believe that with knowledge and understanding of child’s strengths and weaknesses combined with the right support at the right time, all children can flourish and achieve their potential, be happy and experience success at school, If we help children to achieve this then I believe we will have met our aims.”

As Head of Learning Support, Rebecca is responsible for improving outcomes for children with identified needs. Alongside teaching individual pupils, she assesses pupils and puts together recommendations for support. This can either be in-class adjustments or lessons within the Learning Support Department. Regular liaison with parents and teachers forms a key component of her role, ensuring that support needs are communicated and met and the profile of SEND is raised across the school. Rebecca prepares referrals for further assessment and funding requests for children with parents in the Armed Forces. Rebecca visits children in class and offers support and advice and also runs a Touch-typing club in the Upper School.