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Specific Learning Difficulties
What is dyslexia?
Specific Learning Difficulties
Resources for the classroom
Student Using WordTalk
The Barnwell SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties) Base was established in 1993 and is one of two secondary bases for students with severe and complex specific learning difficulties in Hertfordshire.
The Base team consists of three specialist teachers – headed by a Base Leader, two trained SpLD Teaching Assistants and a secretary. They are situated in a purpose built mobile unit that has an up to date open office area with workstations for the students and three individual teaching rooms.
What are Specific Learning Difficulties?
Some children may have very marked difficulties in reading and/or writing, spelling, number, which are not typical of their other abilities and which impact on their performance in other areas of the curriculum. They may quickly gain some skills in some subjects and demonstrate a higher level of ability orally which does not correspond to the difficulty they experience in gaining literacy or numeracy skills. Specific Learning Difficulties may also sometimes be associated with significant difficulties, short-term memory, verbal recall or significant delays in language functioning. Guidance Criteria for Statutory Assessment. CSF 2005
What does the SpLD Base do in Barnwell School ?
- The Base teachers and Teaching Assistants provide in-class support and work individually with Base students who are fully integrated members of the school community.
- The base works with Barnwell School to increase understanding and knowledge of specific learning difficulties.
- All new staff have an induction presented by SpLD teachers.
What does the SpLD Base do for the community?
- Courses and training are offered by the Base to other secondary schools about identification and managing dyslexia in the secondary classroom.
- The Base provides a County resource Centre for teachers and other educational professionals including a wide range of publications, PC programmes and Base-generated resources.
- The Base teachers offer advice to
ICT and The Base
The SpLD Base has always been at the forefront of ICT with each individual teaching room having an up-to-date PC, plus 2 workstations in the main area that the students use.
The students use programmes that help develop their literacy and numeracy skills and the Base trials and recommends educational software that will benefit SpLD students.
Recommendations
Software:
Nessy – www.nessy.com
WordShark – www.numbershark.co.uk
Lexia – www.lexialearning.com
WordTalk - www.wordtalk.org.uk
Links:
www.nhdyslexia.co.uk – Local North Hertfordshire Dyslexic Group
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk – a provider of services and support
www.patoss-dyslexia.org - Association of Teachers of Students with SpLD
Related Documents
- Outreach Services (121kb)