Promoting Personalised Learning for SEN Students Jenny Ewers

Promoting Personalised Learning for SEN Students Jenny Ewers (Head of ICT) Carole Craven (SENCO) Limehurst High School Loughborough Leicestershire

LIMEHURST HIGH SCHOOL 11 -14 multi-ethnic school set in the town of Loughborough in the East Midlands Varied catchment area 400 pupils on roll Just over a quarter of pupils receive Free School Meals 42% of pupils have English as an Additional Language 26% are of Bangladeshi origin 3% from Eastern Europe Judged “Outstanding” by Ofsted under both the previous and current frameworks

LIMEHURST HIGH SCHOOL Pupils with Special Educational Needs 22. 9% pupils on the SEN register 1. 5% with Educational Statement Pupils on register at “Action +” = 8. 7% Pupils on register at “Action” = 12. 7% Judged “Outstanding” by Ofsted under both the previous and current frameworks

Our starting point • Acquisition of the Learning Platform • Finding a ‘need’ • Introduction + trial in ICT lessons • Initial meeting with the focus on the VLE and delivering appropriate resources • Discussions between Head of ICT and SENCO • Rapid change of focus • Using the Learning Platform to access a wealth of information to inform decision-making

Development Focus: how could using ICT and the Learning Platform improve the monitoring of students on the SEN register within our school? § Identify areas in which the current system in place could be improved and made more efficient § Development of an SEN information spreadsheet § Creation of a dedicated Interest Space § On-going discussions – review, evaluation, modification § Involvement of all SEN staff

Our system • Easy access to information through the Student Dashboard. Use of hyperlinks on the spreadsheet. • Initial scanning of relevant documentation • Creation of a well–organised Document Library as a depository. • Use of the Discussion board to share and collate information on students.

Our system • Replacement of traditional IEP system with the Learning Platform facility to create and monitor targets • On-going discussions – review, evaluation, modification • Involvement of all SEN staff • Staff training • Time to work together • A “one-stop system” at your fingertips!

A “walk through” our monitoring system

What does a “Learning Support” user think? An HLTA view

What do other users think?

Review - end of Year 1 • Successes • Drawbacks • Areas for improvement

Where to next? This year so far. . • Creation of PDF portfolios • Extensions of the Discussion Boards to include links to information • Inclusion of a Primary Transfer Profile

Where to next? And then. . • Building an evidence-based system • Monitoring system to include intervention strategies and additional support information • Development of personalised learning programmes to suit the needs of the learner using the Learning Platform • Targeted work with small groups to support a variety of learning needs

There is never a journey’s end – only a ‘lull’ before the next stage!