Academic Support
At St Columba’s we aim to empower every student to reach their own potential: students of all abilities can sometimes face barriers to learning and it is our mission to assist them in overcoming their difficulties.
The Head of Academic Support also makes all necessary arrangements with the Examinations Officer regarding appropriate Examination Access Arrangements.
We are always pleased to speak to students and parents and welcome you to make an appointment to discuss any questions you have.
Prep
We observe and assess our pupils from the day they arrive in Reception, taking careful note of input from parents, having previously met the children and their carers at Nursery. From the beginning, we continue to evaluate every pupils’ progress and address most learning needs through our philosophy of Quality First teaching within classrooms generously staffed with expert teachers and well-qualified TAs.
Honouring our commitment to meet the needs of each child, we quickly establish any areas in which a pupil might need support, providing individualized help where it is needed.
“Mrs Lavin helps me so much with my spelling. We do a special game with her and I love it”
As pupils move through the Prep, we continue to assess their progress, putting into place one-to-one interventions, small-group sessions or input from outside agencies as required. We are a selective school, but we know that any child might experience a barrier to learning at any time and we stand ready to help them over their hurdles, be they academic, physical or emotional. As with all we do, our provision is inclusive and collaborative, with students and their peers involved in solving their own challenges: we often find that interventions devised for one pupil can benefit the learning of an entire class.
Parents are closely involved at every stage, working with the SENCO to develop individualised plans and targets. Pupils are given support by caring, expert staff who assist with spelling issues, friendship difficulties or any other aspect of their school life.
Senior
The Academic Support Department aim to enable students in the Senior School with a wide range of educational needs to develop the necessary skills and strategies to ensure positive progress throughout school, fostering each student’s independent learning in order to achieve success.
Those pupils with SEND achieve at the level of their peers in public examinations, indicating excellent progress. ISI Report, Jan 2015
The department is a team of dedicated staff working closely with students both individually and in the classroom, from Form 1 through to the Upper Sixth, with an emphasis on giving students the tools to succeed independently. There is ongoing liaison and training with academic and pastoral staff to support each student as they progress through the College.
Sixth Form
A Level studies place considerable demands on all students, and the Academic Support Department stands ready to support individuals who need help with learning techniques, study skills or other areas of their courses.
Whilst our Sixth Form is selective, we are proud to cater for the requirements of students with a wide range of educational needs or temporary barriers to learning, helping them to develop the necessary skills and self-help strategies that allow them to enjoy their academic studies and achieve examination success.
“A Levels felt like a real step-up. I did well with my GCSEs but Sixth Form studies felt really daunting. My sessions with Academic Support taught me how to organise my notes and keep reviewing things as I go. I feel confident that I can do well now”
Within the Sixth Form, our team of approachable, dedicated staff work closely with students in one-to-one sessions, during study periods and in the teaching environment, always with the aim of inspiring them to develop their autonomy as learners. With this end in view, there is ongoing liaison and training with the academic and pastoral staff, and outside agencies where appropriate, to support each student as they progress through their A Level studies.
