Personalised Interventions
Some students may require a more personalised approach to their learning. We offer a small range of targeted interventions designed to address identified barriers and close gaps both academically and socially. Our experienced Learning Support Assistants work with students in and out of the classroom, providing tailored support that helps them develop key skills, confidence, and independence. Some students may require a more specialised intervention, and this may be delivered by an external agency.
Literacy and Numeracy Support
Learning Support Assistants are trained to deliver Precision Teaching. A dedicated literacy and numeracy intervention to track and monitor progress whilst helping consolidate learning and close the gap in these areas. Students requiring this intervention will have daily intervention. This ensures the skills learnt are accurately applied. Students see success daily and are more motivated to engage in learning.
To support a small number of learners who have been identified as struggling readers, we use Ruth Miskin’s Fresh Start, a proven systematic phonics programme. Learners are carefully screened to identify specific barriers to reading, and where appropriate, they take part in daily targeted interventions to address identified gaps. Fresh Start accelerates reading accuracy, fluency, and stamina. The intervention is delivered by two trained Learning Support Assistants, ensuring consistency and high-quality support.
Social Skills
Some students require help managing their interactions and ability to communicate with peers and adults. Learning Support Assistants run social skills groups following the Talk About for Teens programme. Sessions are held weekly for identified students. We also have a fully qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, ELSA, who holds 1:1 intervention for students requiring a more targeted approach to managing their emotional regulation.
Key Steps Curriculum and ASDAN
A small minority of students are disapplied from Modern Foreign Languages and will instead complete the ASDAN awards; Key Steps and Personal Development Programme. Key steps take place in Year 7. In Year 8 we follow ASDAN’s Personal Development Programme. A student disapplication is decided by the SENDCo working in collaboration with parents, Assistant Heads of Learning, Heads of Learning, department staff and other professionals already supporting the student. A combination of information from KS2 attainment, initial assessments undertaken upon entry to The Highcrest Academy and the specific learning needs of each student are considered on a case-by-case basis before a final decision is made.
In Key Stage 4 a small cohort of students may opt to work towards the ASDAN course Personal Social Development at either Entry Level 3 or Level 1.
If a student is identified as requiring SEN Support families will be informed. Provision will vary according to the needs of the individual student. This may be in the form of in class support from Learning Support Assistants, in house intervention run by Learning Support Assistants or Higher-Level Teaching Assistants. Some students may be in receipt of intervention run by external agencies.
Forest School Group
For some of our more vulnerable learners we offer the opportunity to experience Forest School. Forest School at The Highcrest Academy has a holistic, inclusive, proactive and learner led approach to education in natural environments. We build confidence, resilience and friendships together through small achievable tasks. We work with the Chiltern Rangers, in small groups in the school and with the wider community . We are eco champions for our setting and our natural surroundings. Our Forest School participants will develop skills they already have and learn how to adapt to situations. In a safe and secure environment, we will learn how to assess and take risks. Through working together with new materials, tools, peers, habitats and ways of thinking, Forest School participants and practitioners will achieve and support each other. Through a planned programme on a 6-week cycle with identified students, we will have weekly sessions where we will assess and monitor our achievements through work-based activities. Once a term we will have a whole day excursion to support volunteers in our local community to protect our woodlands, streams and wildlife. Forest School is a safe environment, but most of all Forest School is fun!
Miss A Watson, Forest School Practitioner
Examination Support
Some students may require Access Arrangements and or reasonable adjustments for external examinations. Access arrangements allow candidates with specific needs, such as special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access an examination and show what they can do without changing the demands of the assessment. The Highcrest Academy must follow the clear guidance regulation of JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications). Please see the Exam Policy for specific details.
External Agencies
The Academy works with a range of external agencies and providers who also deliver interventions to support self-esteem, emotional regulation and anger management. These include:
- Educational Psychologists
- Chiltern Therapy – The Lotus Programme
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Nudge Education
- One Eighty Project
- T.E.A.M mentoring
- My Future Self matters.
- Family Support
- Bucks SEN Team
- Specialist Teaching Services
- Autism Teaching Company