Support for Learning

At Canford we aim to support all our pupils in their learning, according to their needs.  Many students across the spectrum will, at some time in their school career, encounter difficulties of some kind whether it be in essay planning, revision, general organisation or exam technique.  Support for Learning can offer advice and strategies to both pupils and the staff who teach them, to overcome such difficulties which are very often temporary in nature.  More structured support is offered for those with long term needs and identified specific learning difficulties.

The Centre

The Support for Learning Centre is a purpose built,  light and bright building fully equipped with networked PCs and offering a pleasant, welcoming environment. 

Specific difficulties

The most commonly occurring specific difficulty at Canford is dyslexia which ranges from mild to moderate in nature.  Mild dyspraxia and language attention difficulties are two other areas.  There are no pupils at Canford who have, or would be eligible for, a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

Structure

Support is offered throughout.   In Shells, groups can take extra English instead of Latin.  In the Fourth and Fifth Form, Learning Skills is offered instead of one GCSE subject and focus is placed on developing the skills required for GCSE English as well as study skills for other curriculum subjects.  One-to-one tuition is also available when the need arises.

  • P Knott
    Patricia Knott
    MA (Cantab) PGCE (Open) Cert RSA, CAES (SpLD), AMBDA

    Tricia Knott is a full time member of staff at Canford. Her principal responsibility is Support for Learning but she also teaches some English and Latin and is a tutor in Salisbury House.

  • P Knott
    Pagan Bishop
    BA Hons. (University of Newcastle upon Tyne), Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy, Dyslexia Action, validated by University of York

    Pagan has taught English as a Foreign Language at Canford over the last eight years. She recently joined the Support for Learning Department to teach Study Skills which involves helping pupils with personal organization, time management, revision and memory skills and exam technique. She is married to Henry Bishop, Housemaster of Franklin House and they have three sons.

The department is supported by fully qualified peripatetic staff detailed below:

    Mrs Rosemary Smith