Learning Support

Salesian College is committed to enabling every pupil to attain their full potential, including those with special educational needs. For this reason, Learning Support is available to students throughout the College, from Year 7 to the Sixth Form to enable them, whatever their special needs, to have full access to the curriculum.

The department has four members of staff, the Head of Department who also acts as SENCo and three experienced Learning Support Assistants. The department is located in a well-equipped, multi-purpose room, the Don Bosco Centre. We have an open door policy and students are welcome before school, at break and lunchtimes for a range of activities such as supervised individual study, additional help, supervised homework, board games or a general chat with friends. The advice and support from the department is open to all students at Salesian College, not just those that have been identified with specific learning difficulties.

'The well-equipped and staffed learning support centre provides a safe and calm space.'

ISI Report 2025

All students with an identified need have a One Page Profile which advises the student’s teachers of their individual needs and suggests suitable support strategies for the classroom. Additional support may include time spent in the classroom working alongside the subject teacher. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be permitted to follow a slightly reduced curriculum by discontinuing one of their subjects. In such cases, the student may have Learning Support in place of the subject which has been discontinued.

An independent School Counsellor is available by appointment; all counselling is undertaken in a private room in the Music Centre.

Students who may need additional help can be referred to the Head of Learning Support by their parents or a member of staff. Provision of support is at the discretion of the College.

'Leaders with responsibility for pupils who have SEND scrutinise pupils’profiles carefully...and ensure that appropriate targeted support is in place.​' ISI Report 2025