[SENco-forum] Literacy Support

No -not acceptable.  Reports have shown that concentration & attention
improves when children are fed.  The ones you have are most likely to have
skipped breakfast anyway.  They also need an outlet for their frustrations
having been cooped up in lessons they cannot access.

Personally with 4 SpLD children I abhor before & after school intervention.
SpLD children get more tired during the school day as they are having to
work hard than their peers.  They do not need to have their school day
extended.  Also it can be seen as a punishment for failing to do something
i.e. learn, whereas with a SPLD it is a learning difference that is not
being addressed by the teaching staff and not the students fault. School is
8.30 - 3.30ish and that is where they should be supported.

What is with this crazy interpretation of not taking students out of class?
My lecturer keeps spouting it as if it is a divine command.

Inclusion was an 'in-community' directive not'in mainstream' or 'in class
support only'.   It is usually cost driven with LSA's in class being able to
better support a teacher full time.  This should be as well as not instead
of other support.

I like the idea of a teacher being able to magically differentiate every
lesson for every SEN and ability group but as we have seen with a simple
visual/auditory style lesson presentation for the 2 groups of SpLD even this
doesn't happen.  Until there is a perfect classroom ( ICT for all?) directed
rather than taught by a teacher where everyone can go at their own pace with
a virtual teacher as well via a computer set with their own preferences -
signed , large font, headphones (not good for all), video displays, colour
or not etc there will always be a need for additional support.

Students may not like it in or out of the classroom.  Some just don't like
leaving certain lessons ( art/PE) that they are good at or enjoy.  It is
about being flexible to get the most out of the student for the least amount
of effort - I try and teach my little groups to work smarter not harder- and
I cannot see how you are going to do this in 35 minutes at lunchtime. As a
parent I would be screaming Disability Discrimination Act.  Hopefully the
SENco's here can offer you some practical tips that your head might accept.

Sharon