KS3 Study Support

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is open for students each day until 5pm. Students can work in the LRC to do their extended learning (homework), do research, meet with other students as part of a study group or to read.

Mrs Evans, LSA’s and tutors supervise the LRC between 3pm and 5pm, and are available to support students who need help with any aspect of their work. During the day from 8am, Mrs Evans supervises the LRC and will help students with their research or work.

There is an extensive programme of study support that runs in the Student Centre, a summary of this is provided below.

Student Centre Lunch time drop in for any student:

A quiet space for students who want to sit and play board games or use the Lego; LSA and computers available to  help with homework tasks.  Open every lunchtime 1.30 – 2pm in the Student Centre.

For invited students only (parents/carers of those students attending will have received a letter):

Ruth Miskin Reading Club: Our new Literacy Club based on the Ruth Miskin Reading and Phonics Programme, which is designed to stimulate and challenge students thinking and create lifelong readers and writers, runs three mornings a week. The students are assessed prior to starting the programme, to ensure that they start at the correct level. Three different reading level groups ensure that each student receives appropriate support.

Wordshark Club: The idea of the club is to encourage and develop student’s spelling skills, through interactive games and multisensory ICT programmes. The programme has been personalised with activities to match their specific needs and it is over-learning and consolidation of skills through games.

Numbershark Club: The club is designed to encourage and develop student’s numeracy skills, through interactive games and multisensory ICT programmes. The programme has been personalised with activities to match their specific needs and it is over-learning and consolidation of skills through games.

Time: Mrs Askew, our Maths link LSA, or Mrs Nicholson will be running the Club once week using clocks and other multisensory resources, to help students be able to tell the time using an analogue clock.

Paired Reading: The club encourages and develops reading skills, in order to improve a student’s ability to read more fluently.  We will also be working on improving their word attack and decoding skills.  Reading aloud is a recognised method of improving student’s reading skills and, combined with the support and encouragement of a partner, it can help them to access material that they may otherwise be unable to read by themselves.  Please see attached paired reading leaflet.

Group Reading: Small groups of students reading from plays and other relevant texts with the support of an adult or 6^th form student. The club encourages and develops reading skills, in order to improve a student’s ability to read more fluently.  We will also be working on improving their word attack and decoding skills.  Reading aloud is a recognised method of improving student’s reading skills and, combined with the support and encouragement, it can help them to access material that they may otherwise be unable to read by themselves.

Casual Admissions Club: All students who start at St. Mary’s after the start of Y7 will be invited to attend catch up time. Work will be set by teaching staff and support will be given so that students catch up with their peers.

EAL Club: Students who start at St. Mary’s with English as an Additional Language (EAL) will be invited to join a discussion group one morning a week. This will be to support their use of English and give them confidence to speak more in lessons and social times.

Lego Construction Club: A small number of students are invited to build lego creations and practise their social skills. They will work with a specialist LSA.

Breakfast Club: A small number of students will be invited to have breakfast together, play team work games and improve their social skills and confidence.

Stationery

Basic stationery, (pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, protractors), can be purchased from the LRC before and after school or during break times.