Learning Support
Learning support refers to the additional support some children and young people need to engage and achieve in education (Ministry of Education, 2021).
Every child, no matter their ability, has a right to make progress and experience success. If a child has special education needs, they should receive additional support so that they can meet their full potential within a school setting. While teachers prepare differentiated programs to support all students in their class, a student who is not achieving success may be offered extra support by the school.
Teachers refer students of concern to the learning support / pastoral care coordinator (Gretchen Cocks). Teachers and staff frequently discuss, prioritise, resource, and monitor the progress of these students on a schoolwide Pastoral Care Register.
Christchurch East School may provide support that could include specialist support, property modification, equipment, assistive technology applications, resources, staffing, therapy, and advice or support. Outside agencies including Mana Ake, RTLB (Resource Teachers of Learning & Behaviour), RTLit (Resource Teacher of Literacy) and the Ministry of Education Learning Support team, All work closely with staff, children, and families of Christchurch East School.
Structured Literacy
Our junior children are taught reading through a structured literacy approach. This approach incorporates vocabulary development, structured teaching of phonological awareness skills, and letter-sound knowledge with activities making explicit links to the reading and spelling contexts through small group reading sessions. This approach to learning to read, also benefits our ESOL learners and learners higher up the school who may take longer to read.
The Code
Additionally, The Code is a structured literacy approach focusing on explicit and systematic teaching of phonological awareness, the alphabetic principle, syllable types and morphology. We use this structured literacy approach throughout the school from Year 3 to Year 8.
Reading Recovery / Early Literacy Support (ELS)
Additionally, we have the Reading Recovery (RR) Programme which is an early intervention for 6-7-year-old children experiencing difficulty with reading. This programme runs daily with selected children for two terms. Early Literacy Support (ELS) groups are also part of the RR programme and can provide children with additional reading, writing and spelling support.
Learning Support Staff
At Christchurch East School we have 7 learning support workers who are trained in different ways. Some are specifically trained to support teachers with phonics-based reading approaches and teach literacy in a structured way, some are trained in running friendship groups, and some are trained in supporting children with high health needs. All of our learning support workers can support students across any part of their school day if working closely with them.
Christchurch East School's Board of Trustees plays a vital role in contributing funding to support our children with their learning and progress at Heathcote Valley School.
Children who require additional support
If you think your child needs extra support for their learning, behaviour or wellbeing, please feel free to contact your child's class teacher or Gretchen Cocks, Deputy Principal / Pastoral Care.
Please refer to the links below for further information.
Every child, no matter their ability, has a right to make progress and experience success. If a child has special education needs, they should receive additional support so that they can meet their full potential within a school setting. While teachers prepare differentiated programs to support all students in their class, a student who is not achieving success may be offered extra support by the school.
Teachers refer students of concern to the learning support / pastoral care coordinator (Gretchen Cocks). Teachers and staff frequently discuss, prioritise, resource, and monitor the progress of these students on a schoolwide Pastoral Care Register.
Christchurch East School may provide support that could include specialist support, property modification, equipment, assistive technology applications, resources, staffing, therapy, and advice or support. Outside agencies including Mana Ake, RTLB (Resource Teachers of Learning & Behaviour), RTLit (Resource Teacher of Literacy) and the Ministry of Education Learning Support team, All work closely with staff, children, and families of Christchurch East School.
Structured Literacy
Our junior children are taught reading through a structured literacy approach. This approach incorporates vocabulary development, structured teaching of phonological awareness skills, and letter-sound knowledge with activities making explicit links to the reading and spelling contexts through small group reading sessions. This approach to learning to read, also benefits our ESOL learners and learners higher up the school who may take longer to read.
The Code
Additionally, The Code is a structured literacy approach focusing on explicit and systematic teaching of phonological awareness, the alphabetic principle, syllable types and morphology. We use this structured literacy approach throughout the school from Year 3 to Year 8.
Reading Recovery / Early Literacy Support (ELS)
Additionally, we have the Reading Recovery (RR) Programme which is an early intervention for 6-7-year-old children experiencing difficulty with reading. This programme runs daily with selected children for two terms. Early Literacy Support (ELS) groups are also part of the RR programme and can provide children with additional reading, writing and spelling support.
Learning Support Staff
At Christchurch East School we have 7 learning support workers who are trained in different ways. Some are specifically trained to support teachers with phonics-based reading approaches and teach literacy in a structured way, some are trained in running friendship groups, and some are trained in supporting children with high health needs. All of our learning support workers can support students across any part of their school day if working closely with them.
Christchurch East School's Board of Trustees plays a vital role in contributing funding to support our children with their learning and progress at Heathcote Valley School.
Children who require additional support
If you think your child needs extra support for their learning, behaviour or wellbeing, please feel free to contact your child's class teacher or Gretchen Cocks, Deputy Principal / Pastoral Care.
Please refer to the links below for further information.