Special Educational Needs & Disability

For all new Sixth Form students, we run a screening assessment to look for any possible difficulties with processing speed, reading or writing. This takes place early in the academic year and may involve further assessment in some circumstances. Existing Trinity students will already have been screened. The information gathered provides our Head of Learning Support, Mrs McDonald, with useful information and standardised scores which can form the basis of further investigation, if needed. The assessment in itself does not diagnose learning difficulties and is solely a snapshot that can provoke further discussion.

The Learning Support Department contacts all students new to Trinity with a SEND condition to ensure appropriate provision continues and an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) is drawn up. The IEP of those already at Trinity will continue unless new information is provided to Learning Support.

Access arrangements (including extra time and typing) may be possible if certain criteria stipulated by JCQ (Joint Council of Qualifications) are met. This almost always involves a ‘history of need’ of at least a term and evidence of two cognitive deficiencies across the whole curriculum. It is possible for an access arrangement to be lost if it is not used by the student, or the SEND condition is not exhibited in their lessons.

Any concerns regarding a potential SEND condition should be addressed to the Tutor in the first instance. The Tutor will ask all classroom teachers to build a picture of need across all subjects. After this point, the Head of Learning Support will suggest diagnostic assessments and produce an IEP (Individualised Education Plan).