Mayville High School A GSG School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Special Education Needs

The Dyslexia Unit was established in 1992 to provide specialist support to pupils across the age range 4-16. Most pupils are assessed prior to school entry, in addition to this, small classes and a whole school awareness of dyslexia enable staff to quickly identify and refer pupils who may be experiencing difficulties so that they can be supported in the most effective way. All members of staff are trained to utilise the principles of Accelerated Learning, visual, auditory and kinaesthetic (VAK) model and Multiple Intelligence profiling to assist pupils, especially those with dyslexia, in the most effective way. Each pupil is regarded as a unique individual, with a unique pattern of strengths and unique ways of being clever and successful. The focus is on positive feedback, building self-esteem and confidence - maintaining high expectations while providing a "safety net". Support can be delivered in a variety of ways from classroom support via an effective team of Learning Support Assistants, to work in small groups, to individual specialist tuition with a dyslexia tutor, to support on one of our own programmes, for example Target Reading or Target Maths. IEPs are devised from education psychology reports and in-house assessments. They are used to focus and inform teaching and to monitor the attainment of targets set. They are frequently referred to, discussed with other staff, parents and wherever appropriate, with the pupils themselves. The structure and content of the support lesson depends on pupil age and individual needs. Each lesson is based on targets from the IEP and developed via several linked tasks with reinforcement delivered via multi-sensory games and computer programmes. A School Advisory Plan is also drawn up summarising all SEN documentation held on the pupil with hints to help mainstream staff. Many of the games are tailor made for individual pupils and make learning so enjoyable that pupils sometimes get quite upset if they have done so well that they no longer need to attend the Unit!