Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) - dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia

• All teachers have received training and use the Newcastle Mainstream Guidance in supporting the needs of all pupils with cognition and learning difficulties.
• Staff support access to the curriculum and to develop the skills for independent learning e.g. through changes to classroom environments, use of IT, support staff, specific interventions etc.
• Staff use a wide range of resources to promote multi-sensory, practical, creative and independent learning.
• Staff seek specialist advice and the expertise from SEND OS (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Outreach Service) or the Educational Psychologist to ensure the needs of children are clearly identified.
• Additional processing/thinking time for responding to questions, completing tasks, sharing ideas.
• Staff assess pupils for access arrangements for SATs testing and provide appropriate arrangements.
• Differentiated curriculum, concrete apparatus, visual prompts and other resources are used to enable pupils to make progress.
• Along with first quality teaching and interventions we also use IT based programmes used to reduce barriers to learning where possible e.g. WordShark
• Small group differentiated daily phonics teaching for Reception, Key Stage 1 and Direct Phonics is now used for some key Stage 2 pupils.
• Small group or 1:1 targeted intervention programmes are delivered to pupils to improve reading, writing and maths skills – teachers use the ‘keep up, catch’ up approach to instantly address learning needs.
• Strategies and resources to support dyslexic pupils eg. coloured overlays for reading, word banks to support spelling of key words.
• Provision of table top resources to promote independence and ensure that learning is multi-sensory and practical.
• All classes now have access to an SEN Toolkit which has a selection of specialised equipment to support pupils learning and overcome their barriers.

Updated September 2022