FAQs

Yes. Learners who are identified as having additional needs but do not yet have an EHCP, will need to undergo the Education, Health and Care Assessment Request (ECHAR) process.

All children have a personal plan, which they are involved in creating. This plan outlines the actions we will take to support them and their needs based on their EHCP.

Emotionally informed practice is embedded throughout the school. We are Proact Scipr trained, which is a positive behaviour support approach. This approach delivers pro-active techniques to support children and young people to feel able to identify their emotions. They are then able to collaborate with these emotions to find positive ways of exploring and expressing them. We also use Zones of Regulation.

At TLC, we pride ourselves on providing education that is engaging and innovative. Through a varied and adapted curriculum we aim to teach learners how to grow into positive, responsible young people who are able to not only have a positive impact in their local community but to also  successfully transition into further education, employment, volunteering and adulthood.

The Learning Centre works with learners aged between 11 and 18 who have special educational needs mainly within the areas of Social and Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and communication and interaction. However, we can also support learners with a wide range of needs falling within the broad categories of Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Physical and Sensory and SEMH.

We offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications and subjects to our learners including GCSEs, Functional Skills and ASDAN.

We also pride ourselves on the wide range of educational visits and trips which underpin our learners’ educational experiences at the school.

Our staff are trained in all areas of Special Educational Needs, from Social Emotional and Mental Health to Autism.

We also offer a range of training and mentoring opportunities which give our staff the tools they need to inspire and support all learners to fulfil their potential.

We have fully qualified subject teachers and both Teaching Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants who are qualified from levels 1-4.

All staff are safeguarding trained and undertake a wide range of training courses across the year to enhance their knowledge and practices.

TLC assesses all learners in the areas of communication, education and social skills development. We believe these are the foundations for lifelong success, and enable our learners  to  thrive in school and beyond.

Each year an Annual SEN Review is held, which both the parents/carers and SENCo are invited to, as well as any other key professionals. At this Annual Review meeting, the progress of the learner is discussed together with any further support requirements which may need to be put in place. There is also an EHCP Review meeting that takes place as part of the Annual Review meeting at every key-stage transition period.

Internally, learners are assessed on their learning and development using a range of techniques, from classroom reflection to more formal assessment tools including BKSB. Their development is recorded and reported in various ways to parents/carers and other relevant involved agencies.

Learners are invited to attend their Annual SEN Review meeting so they are able to be involved in discussions about their learning and development and to provide their own feedback on their education and progress.

Teachers and Teaching Assistants involve the learners in discussion about their progress and learning on an ongoing basis, both inside and outside the classroom.

We believe that effective communication with parents and carers is of the utmost importance. Parents and carers are fully involved throughout their child’s time with us, from the induction process and beyond.  We believe you know your child best and your views and support are key to a positive integration and journey through our school.

We communicate regularly with parents and carers, including weekly check-in calls with tutors and/or school management and half termly reports to keep you fully involved in your child’s education. We operate an ‘open door policy’ and parents and carers are welcome to visit the school at any time.

We hold termly parent/carer events where families are invited in to the school to discuss their children’s progress, meet the TLC team and celebrate their children’s achievements.

Should you have any questions regarding your child, telephone the school using the contact details on our contact page, and our reception team will direct you to the relevant member of staff. If you would like further information about the school, you can telephone or email, or submit a message using our website contact form.

The school employs a full-time Attendance, Welfare and Family Liaison Lead who supports our children and families, as well as an Assistant Principal for Behaviour and Pastoral Care.

Support is available on a daily, weekly or ad hoc basis. Contact us for further information.

TLC has an induction process which is personally designed to meet the individual needs of each learner.

This process is underpinned by following a structured, academic, social and pastoral initial assessment process, capturing the views of learners and their families, creating bespoke and personalised learning plans, and by supporting learners educationally and emotionally throughout transition and beyond.

The school prides itself on its developing careers programme and 16+ support initiatives and has fantastic ‘positive destination’ data which demonstrates its success in this area.

Throughout Key Stage 4, learners will be provided with opportunities to be exposed to work experience, to varying degrees depending on their needs.

Learners have access to careers advisors and will also learn how to write job applications and practice interview techniques. We support learners to  liaise with Post 16 Colleges to ensure they are matched with the most suitable courses when they take their next steps in education. We also accompany learners on college visits where appropriate and requested.

Through delivery of our Careers and IAG programmes (which are embedded in the timetable for KS4) we equip every learner with the foundations, education, qualifications, skills, and opportunities needed for lifelong success.

We welcome an open dialogue with parents/carers and hope we can resolve any concerns as quickly as possible. If you have any concerns or are not happy with any aspect of the  school, then please request an informal meeting with a member of school staff and/or the Principal. If this does not resolve the concern, then please refer to our Complaints Procedure which explains how parents/carers can lodge a complaint. The Complaints Procedure is available from the school office or on our website.