Dene Magna School

Expertise.

Dene Magna’s SENCO has the requisite specialist qualification and is thus able to co-ordinate and direct SEN provision within the school.  The SENCO has over 30 years teaching experience and a proven track record of ensuring KS3 and KS4 students make better than expected progress.  He has considerable pastoral and primary liaison experience and as a member of the school’s Leadership Group is at the heart of the school’s policy making forum.  Dene Magna has two Learning Support teachers both of whom have a SpLD qualification.  Dene Magna’s Higher Level Teaching Assistants assist with the day to day management of Dene Magna’s TA team.  One of the HLTAs is responsible for the well-being of those students with a physical or sensory impairment; a second co-ordinates all Access Arrangements; a third is responsible for writing TA timetables whilst a fourth is the RAIS (Raising Achievement in School)  Co-ordinator. RAIS is the school’s Inclusion Unit (see Inclusion Unit policy for further information about RAIS).  Our team of well qualified TAs – all of whom have the minimum NVQ Level 2 in Supporting Teaching and Learning (or are working towards this qualification) – are dedicated to their work and many of them have specialist strengths and qualifications (such as the management of students on the Autistic Spectrum).  Dene Magna is a designated Teaching School and as such our HLTAs run on an annual basis an eight week introductory course in the work of a secondary school TA.  All HLTAs and TAs are appraised each year through the schools Performance Management Review process and individual targets are set for each HLTA and TA.  Dene Magna’s Attendance and Careers Officer helps to co-ordinate the transition process from KS4 to post 16 education, whilst a Case Responsible Officer from Prospects ensures all students with an EHC move smoothly to post 16 education or training, the transition process beginning in Year 9.  The school has well established strong links with the Advisory Teaching Service (ATS) and with the Educational Psychology Service.  Both of these organisations are available to the school which calls upon them to provide advice about support and additional intervention for particular individuals or to provide ad hoc in service training (INSET).