Learning Support | Vista Nova

LEARNING SUPPORT AT VISTA NOVA HIGH SCHOOL

1. What is Learning Support?

A series of structured interactions between learners and the Learning Support educators with the purpose of empowering the learner with new skills or knowledge.
The interactions are based on the needs of the learner as demonstrated during informal or formal assessments in a written or oral format, assignments, homework, class activities, homework and assessment corrections.

2. Who receives Learning Support?

At risk learners (at risk of not meeting the pass requirements of a subject).
Learners who missed work due to absenteeism.
Learners who are underachieving (due to e.g. behavioural problems, reading/ comprehension).
Learners who are unable to manage time/tasks or meet deadlines / due dates.

3. Who identifies learners for intervention / Learning Support

Subject teacher, LS teacher, Psychologist, Librarian, Scribe, Class assistants/facilitators, Parent, Learner

4. When are learners needing Learning Support identified?

As soon as a learner is at risk of failing a subject (subject teacher identifies).
As soon as learner shows a pattern of absence
As soon as a learner is absent for medical reasons, operation, hospitalisation
As soon as learner starts to miss deadlines / due dates for tasks.
As soon as scribe picks up gaps in knowledge during a test/exam (i.e. has learnt, but cannot give answers back)
As soon as parent(s) request.
As soon as learner indicates he/she needs help.
As soon as any other staff member discovers a need for learning support.
At handovers (e.g. Gr 7 teachers)

5. How do educators determine and plan intervention / Learning Support strategies and content?

Analyse (look for patterns in) formal and informal assessments, then determine the learners’ needs.
Analyse homework, assignments and co-operative learning; determine needs.
Analyse answers and responses during class; determine needs.
Plan interventions according to learner’s needs and his/her “gaps in knowledge/skills.”
School-based Support Team meeting decisions and awareness of learners’ barriers to learning.

6. How & when does Learning Support take place?

The whole class (scheduled on the timetable)

Small group (per arrangement)

Individual (per arrangement)

in class during a lesson, or
in the Learning Support class
extra worksheets/homework tasks dealing with specific skills/knowledge, e.g. a structured reading programme