Learning Support

Learning Support & SEND

At Aldro, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of six specialists in Learning Support and SEND. Their focus is on nurturing pupils with neurodiversity, disabilities and hidden differences, ensuring that every child receives the care and tailored support they need to thrive.

Located at the heart of the school, the Learning Support and SEND team work closely with teachers to maintain open, positive dialogue and to embed high‑quality, adaptive teaching across all lessons. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are shared with staff to ensure a bespoke, strengths‑based approach is consistently delivered. Progress is reviewed regularly and weekly meetings between the SENDCo and the Pastoral team help identify any need for one‑to‑one counselling or on‑site ELSA support.

Where additional help in core subjects is required, pupils may receive weekly one‑to‑one learning support. This provision is offered in close consultation with class teachers and only when needs cannot be fully met within the classroom environment.

To support this inclusive approach, all teachers receive up‑to‑date, evidence-based training in whole‑class learning strategies. The team also prioritises strong communication with parents, providing a comprehensive view of each child’s development while responding promptly to any emerging needs.

EAL Support

In partnership with Admissions, our Head of Learning Support assesses whether a child may benefit from additional EAL provision upon joining Aldro. Where appropriate, pupils receive a tailored package of support, typically including a weekly one‑to‑one lesson focused on English language skills-speaking, reading, writing and listening, alongside an introduction to British culture and values.

We place equal importance on holistic care, ensuring that pupils with EAL needs are nurtured socially and emotionally. From their very first day, each child is paired with an English‑speaking ‘buddy’ to help them settle in. They also benefit from regular check‑ins with their form tutor and ongoing monitoring by the pastoral team.

Close collaboration between the EAL team and teaching staff ensures that support is responsive and relevant to each child’s needs, enabling us to identify and deliver additional help swiftly when required.

If you would like more information please contact Catherine Walton, Head of Learning Support at senco@aldro.org. 

Catherine Walton

Head of Learning Support & SEND