Special education provision we expect from places of learning

Children and young people may need support for learning difficulties when they learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation.

Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD).

Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), affect one or more specific aspects of learning. This encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

Our full Provision Expected at SEN Support (PEaSS) guidance describes the difficulties and learning profiles a child might have. It describes what the whole school or setting can do to support children.

It also describes the approaches a classroom teacher can use and the strategies a SENDCo can use. These can include:

• Providing accessible resources and strategies to promote independent learning
• Allowing rest breaks. Concentration and motor effort are demanding and can cause fatigue.
• Checking understanding regularly and revisiting prior learning at the start of each session
• Teaching strategies to improve organisation
• Teaching a child or young person to talk themselves through visual and spatial tasks
• Promoting appropriate interpersonal skills with other children

Read the full PEaSS guidance document to find a full list of the different aspects of Learning and Cognition. It also contains suggested approaches for support in the classroom, school, and for the SENDCo.

You can access the guidance document on the Schools and Learning Providers website.