Blundell's School A GSG School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Special Education Needs

There are about 150 pupils in the school with special needs of one sort or another, so we are very much aware that some children need special help and there is close liaison between the English department and other subject teachers. SpLD. pupils are tested informally in the Learning Support Department and given help by a highly experienced Learning Support teacher, or her assistant. This support usually takes place once or twice a week, by withdrawal. As it is a specialist individual requirement, there has to be a termly charge. Learning support staff report regularly on the progress of the, 80 or so, students they currently see. Work is centred on discovering what the individual's problem is and concentrating on it. Poor spelling is covered by repetitive work on basic rules, indifferent vocabulary by extension and slow reading by improvement of skills. Pupils are given support in subject areas where they are having problems. A great effort is made to spark imaginative writing. Dyslexics are encouraged to devise strategies to overcome difficulties of spelling and organising work. For some this may include the use of special filters or glasses as well as the use of techniques such as mind mapping or visualisation. Dyslexic diagnostic tests (Aston, Digit Span, etc.) at a simple level are given and referral made, where necessary, for full testing to enable students to claim extra time allowance in public examinations. Official testing is usually done by Dr Hornby from St. Luke’s, Exeter. Her certification is accepted by exam boards and tests are usually carried out in the Autumn. About twenty-five pupils are tested each year. In 2002 for the first time, the Boards agreed to accept just one certification for the student’s entire secondary career. (In Further Education, such certification often entitles students to IT equipment discounts.) There are no standard textbooks, as worksheets are prepared individually. However Hornsby's "Alpha to Omega", Butterworth's "Using the Oxford Dictionary" and The Sunday Times "Word Power" are helpful. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Syndrome: it is very difficult to pinpoint or label problems as every child is different, but at Blundell’s we aim to ensure sympathetic treatment, individual support and a positive approach, focussing on the learning difference with its positives rather than any negative associations connected with a learning disability. It is not unusual for dyslexic pupils, with the full extra time allowance in exams, to gain the highest grades in both GCSE and A level examination. Above all, our students are taught to think of themselves as Blundellians, not as Dyslexics, developing confidence and expertise in as many areas as possible.

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