A Personalised Education
All children deserve an education that meets their needs
HOW CAN ONLINE LEARNING BENEFIT YOUR CHILD?
Individual Timetables
Small Class Sizes
Time & Space to Think
Regular Breaks
Calm & Quiet Environment
No Disruption to Learning
Personalised Education Plan
Individual Strategies
Freedom to be Themselves
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
What is SEND?
SEND is the common term used to describe children who have a particular need or disability that means they may require extra support to access education. This includes children who have been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD but covers a wide range of challenges.
What could this look like for your child?
- Difficulties with reading and writing
- Dyslexia / Dyscalculia
- Sensory overload
- Communication challenges
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Anxiety around social interaction
LEARNING AT YOUR OWN PACE AND IN YOUR OWN TIME
At Benbridge Academy, we recognise that not all students learn in the same way. Our flipped classroom approach provides students with opportunities for students to move through materials at a pace that suits them. For more on our model, and how it works, see The Flipped Learning Model. Essentially, this three part learning cycle enables students to engage in pre-learning tasks prior to organic live lessons followed by consolidation tasks. This approach is particularly suited to students who find it difficult to engage in ‘traditional’ methods of teaching and learning; eg. sitting in a classroom for hours on end.
- This model is beneficial for those with ADHD as it frees them from the constraints of traditional time constraints.
- It enables learning breaks, time to revisit new concepts and room for communication with subject teachers to seek further guidance.
A Flexible Approach to suit the needs of all students
In traditional settings, students with ADHD can be considered disruptive. However; a simple look at the history of innovation tells us that it is ‘disruptors’ who change the world; they are the movers and shakers whose ability to question and alter perspective brings about advancement in all spheres of human development (Brian Matson) .
So, why are we stifling our creative thinkers within a creaking Victorian model of education?
(Sir Ken Robinson)
What is 'Neurodiversity'?
Neurodiversity refers to the idea that neurological differences, such as those seen in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, are natural variations within the human population rather than deficits or disorders. Recent views promote inclusion and acceptance for everyone, no matter their neurological differences and aims to create supportive and accessible environments for all.
Benbridge Academy does just that.
How We Support Neurodiversity at Benbridge Academy
Flexible Timetables
We will work with you to design a timetable that suits your needs; this could mean extra breaks, specific subject choices or other particular access arrangements. Ongoing communication and collaboration between families and teachers ensures we are always open to adapting; nothing is set in stone.
A Calm Environment
Getting to know your child, and understanding any triggers they may have, means we can ensure the learning environment is as comfortable as possible. Our classes are free from disruption and undesirable behaviour; students are free to learn in a calm and focused space.
Supportive Strategies
All our teachers are experienced in planning for students with Special Educational Needs. We employ a range of strategies to reduce sensory overload; for example, teacher control of microphones, different modes of communication (eg. chat function), encouraging mindfulness and more. The key to success is being prepared to adapt to individual needs and not expect all children to conform to the expectations of others.
Multi-Media Learning
We all absorb information in a variety of different ways. Our experienced teachers not only plan highly engaging lessons but provide a range of materials that ensure all learning is accessible to each and every child, regardless of their level of need. Students are able to engage in a wide range of contexts: orally, written and through multi-media technology. There is something for everyone, so no-one gets left behind.
Managed Socialistation
Many students with ADHD and Autism can struggle with social interactions. While online learning reduces anxiety around this, due to a lack of behaviour issues or disruption, it also provides opportunity for students to gain confidence in their interactions. Through supervised collaboration in pairs or small groups, and short social breaks, students can make meaningful connections that impact on their confidence outside of the school environment.
Students who are Free to be Themselves
Our students are free to be themselves in a positive, learning environment; free from peer pressure, free from bullying, free from the constraints of the anti-learning culture that pervades many traditional classrooms.At Benbridge Academy, students are celebrated for who they are and for their own individual successes. They do not have to fit a mold or conform to expectations. Let your child be who they want to be; the rest will follow.