ASTs at Alexandra School

Name: Nicky Chance AST Specialism: A.S.D. / Assessment Age Range: Primary

My Philosophy
My remit is to aid children with special needs to be fully included within mainstream learning environments. My philosophy is that this is best provided by offering the adults who work with the children practical approaches and strategies to complement the systems they already have in place.

How I like to work as an AST

• Whole school training if relevant
• Input to individual staff and class teams on how to address issues of behaviour and inclusion, relating to individual children with M.L.D., S.L.D. or A.S.D.
• Support over the phone
• Inset training
• Seminar lessons at Alexandra

Name: Suzy Lea AST Specialism: SEN Curriculum differentiation Age Range: Primary

My Philosophy
Differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of all learners in a mainstream class can feel like an impossible task. However, I firmly believe that all children should have access to as wide a range of learning opportunities as possible and that children with SEN have an equal entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. If we limit the opportunities and experiences we provide for children, we are also limiting their capacity to achieve and enjoy their education.
With a creative approach to differentiation, collaboration with colleagues and a bit of extra support I really believe that it is possible to find a way to make most curriculum topics accessible for all learners (a challenge I relish). However, I am realistic! I worked in a mainstream KS2 class in Harrow for 5 years before joining Alexandra School and am very aware of the trials that teachers face every day. I feel it is my role as an AST to support mainstream colleagues in finding ways to make learning personal and relevant to children with SEN. What is more, I feel that any steps taken to support children with SEN will have a positive impact on all the learners in a class and serve to reinforce their learning.

How I like to work as an AST

• Curriculum planning with teachers, learning support assistants or whole class teams
• Sharing ideas, discussing lesson approaches and helping find a way into those really tricky topics
• Suggesting resources, assisting with differentiation and adapting worksheets
• Meeting with parents and contributing to annual review meetings
• Seminar lessons - colleagues are always welcome to observe or teach collaboratively in my classroom
• Working individually with children SEN alongside their LSA

Contact:

Call us on 020 8864 2739 or send us an email at outreach@alexandra-school.co.uk