Our mission is to safeguard and support the emotional, social and academic wellbeing of all students at Uplands and to offer targeted intervention when appropriate in order to ensure that every student is able to reach their full potential.

The Student Support Unit comprises our English as an Additional Language teachers, our Learning Support teacher and our Counseling Team. This team works collaboratively to ensure we provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to student support as they progress on their learning journey at Uplands.

Middle School Student Support Unit

2022-2023

Students are placed into the EAL programme based on data gathered and analysed by teachers at the point of admission to the school as well as during the school year. As a student's English proficiency increases, they will move out of the specific EAL programme but remain on our register to inform teaching and learning.

EAL support may involve one or all of the following:

• Academic Support/ EAL: students develop their English for Academic Purposes skills in separate lesson blocked against our Modern Foreign Languages classes. A dedicated curriculum is delivered during this time to develop English Language proficiency as well as provide additional support for students related to the skills needed within their other curriculum subjects. The programme provides a sound knowledge of, and practice in, the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. We aim for high levels of student participation in class, while stressing a balance between accurate and fluent use of English. The programme teaches students knowledge of the structure of the English language, including grammar, syntax, vocabulary and the organisation of different types of texts, including reports, letters, narratives and essays. It also develops students’ skills in such areas as vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and strategies to enhance listening and reading.

Students taking the Academic Support/ EAL programme will not take an additional (Modern Foreign) language.

• In classroom support: Our dedicated EAL team work alongside subject specialist teachers to collaboratively plan for instruction and teach lessons within the classroom with a specific focus on English, Humanities and Science.

Students with an identified learning need are provided a wide range of support through our dedicated learning support teacher including the preparation of an Individual Education Plan that is agreed with the student and parent and shared with all teachers. Students who require it will have dedicated Learning Support lessons during the school day and be provided in-classroom support through the Student Support Team.

Beliefs

• Learning Support firmly believes that each child, regardless of academic or physical difficulties, has the right to take part and enjoy every aspect of school life

• Each student is an individual, so when considering the needs of each student, their strengths, personalities and preferences must be taken into account as much as possible

• Learning Support can be successful only by working in close partnership with students, parents, and staff

• Learning Support believes in inclusion and providing support within the classroom wherever possible.

Counselling provides a confidential support service for all students.

Students come to counselling for many reasons. They may are experiencing strong feelings, maybe something has happened that they need support with (bereavement, illness, family separation, etc.), maybe they are not sleeping or eating or managing to balance their lives, or maybe they want to bounce ideas or work on improving a part of their life. There is no problem or issue too big or too small for counselling.