Additional Needs
The Additional Needs Department is responsible for all students with Special Educational Needs and also those who are Gifted and Talented.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) at AHS
Aylesbury High School is experienced in adapting to the needs of students with specific learning difficulties and is used to providing support for those students with a variety of needs including dyslexia, dyspraxia, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Aspergers’ syndrome), ADHD and physical disabilities or impairments.
The Additional Needs Coordinator monitors our annual intake to ensure that students with Special Educational Needs (with or without Statements) have been noted. The student may then be placed at an appropriate level on the school’s SEN Register and the Additional Needs department plays an important role in the student’s future education in the school.
Screening of students across the school takes place regularly in order to identify any students who might have SEN. Assessments are carried out with the permission of parents to ensure each girl’s needs are met. Notes are compiled for all girls with SEN to assist their teachers in their classroom differentiation. Girls might also attend one to one or small group support sessions if these are needed.
Some girls are eleigible for Access Arrangements in exams. These are determined by assessment at the appropriate time. (Link to Exams section).
Those girls with SEN who are applying for places in Higher Education may be eligible to apply for Disabled Students Allowance. More information about the procedure for applying is available on request.
Gifted and Talented
The Additional Needs Coordinator also monitors our annual intake to ensure that students previously identified as Gifted and Talented have been noted. Each school is required to ensure that their Gifted and Talented cohort is representative of the whole school population. It is possible that students who were listed as Gifted and Talented in their previous school might not be listed at AHS because of the abilities of the general population of students in the school. All students will be reassessed on arrival using the criteria for identification developed by our team.
Many of our students are eligible for membership of Young Gifted and Talented (YGT) and the International Gateway for Gifted Youth (IGGY). Information about both of these organisations is available on request.
Mrs J. Thorpe is the Additonal Needs Co-ordinator and can be contacted via the Main Switchboard on 01296 388222 ext. 282 or email jthorpe@ahs.bucks.sch.uk. Mrs Thorpe is in school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.