Abbey Gate College

Special Education Needs

Abbey Gate College, though an academically selective school, is aware of the need to identify any specific learning difficulties and to provide all reasonable support from infant level to Sixth Form. Our College ethos of ‘Learning with Courage and Compassion’ ensures we provide a safe, nurturing but challenging environment for all our pupils; enabling them to thrive and be confident in themselves. We have dyslexia screening points for all pupils in Years 5 and 8 and in Year 9 all students are assessed for JCQ access arrangements. Infant, Juniors, the Senior School and Sixth Form are one College but split over two sites. Our wonderful Senior School and Sixth Form are enviably located in the historic Saighton Grange building and our dedicated Infants and Junior School is just down the road in the charming and picturesque village of Aldford. All students are expected to sit an entrance exam, which is adapted for our youngest prospective pupils, to demonstrate that they can access our broad and balanced curriculum. The emphasis at the College is that the student’s needs will be met in the classroom via Quality First Teaching. In order to achieve this, training is regularly provided to relevant colleagues, in a timely manner. Parents of candidates with a diagnosis are strongly encouraged to declare it prior to admission so that requirements and provision can be discussed and fully understood. Conditions routinely accommodated include: autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger's; dyslexia; dyspraxia and related conditions; ADD and ADHD; visual and hearing impairment. Our Learning Enrichment Department comprises Head of Learning Enrichment and two Specialist Teachers (SpLD). Interventions include IDL, Numeracy Catch Up, Pathways to Progress and small group or 1;1 specific learning support for those needing short term intervention.