We don't have an LSU!  But we do have an EBD Team.  They're fab and provide intensive support to youngsters with particular emotional and behavioural problems. 

A handful of students in each year group are referred to them and they provide support in a number of ways:

Ü Close and regular contact with families and other support workers.

Ü Support in lessons or for parts of lessons.

Ü Chance to work away from other students at particular points in each day.

Ü Alternative activities and opportunities as appropriate.

The team works from a room directly opposite the Principal's office area.  It has big windows!  We will not let our most challenging students prevent other students from making progress and learning; but we also want to encourage them to feel valued and a part of the school.

We have more Learning Mentors than any other school.  Our extended day with study built in for each student demands it.  Each year group spends up to two hours each day in ‘study' completing the ‘homework' set by their teachers.  This time is supervised by Learning Mentors.  Over and above this, we ensure that students have an individual mentoring session every three weeks.  During this 15-20 minute slot, mentor and student will discuss progress against the targets identified on Progress Days and the learning skills identified on our ‘Learning Wall'. 

Learning Mentors are organised into teams and led by a ‘Lead Learning Mentor'.  The colleague with overall responsibility for the overall mentoring team is our Learning and Study Coordinator.  Mentoring and study support would not be effective without this clear management structure.  Training is another crucial element, with a significant number of our Learning Mentors already having completed courses with the Thanet Excellence Cluster and others now working on degrees through Christ Church and Kent Universities.  Several mentoring colleagues are preparing to train as teachers.