Learning Support

Supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Wolsey Hall Oxford

Wolsey Hall Oxford believes that all our students should be able to achieve their full potential, including those with additional needs. The online teaching and learning environment provides an excellent space for students to work at their own pace, choose ways of study that fit their needs and tailor their work environment to create their ideal learning space.

Many students achieve academic success using the right strategies and support systems and we believe that we have the experience and resources to remove barriers to learning and promote progress through programmes of support that teach explicit skills and provide expert guidance. This additional, paid-for service can be used to maximise academic achievement for all students, whether they have an additional need or not.

IGCSE Student with special educatinoal needs

Neurodiversity and Homeschooling Open Event

Join us on Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 10am (UK time).

Our open event covers how our courses work for students with neurodiverse needs and the extensive learning support we offer to students and their families. There is also a question and answer session for parents at the end.

Homeschooling in Singapore with learning challenges

The Role of Learning Support

Guidance
As well as direct work with families, Learning Support promotes effective partnerships within Wolsey Hall by working alongside Student Progress Managers and Tutors, sharing best practice and resources.

Collaboration
There is a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the Learning Support team at Wolsey Hall Oxford. This knowledge can be used to support families throughout their homeschool journey, empowering them to lead and deliver excellent education in the home.

What makes our Learning Support department special?

Learning Support Staff – There are over 40 years of combined specialist experience between the staff in the department. We possess a passion for supporting students with additional needs and extensive knowledge of how different students learn. Learning Support has supported students with a wide range of needs including:

  • ASD
  • ADHD
  • ADD
  • PDA
  • Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
  • OCD
  • Sensory Processing difficulties
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dyspraxia
  • Hearing impairments
  • Visual Impairments

We also support students with academic struggles because of:

  • Challenges with focus and motivation
  • Problems with personal organisation
  • Underdeveloped study skills
  • Exam stress
  • Mental health and wellbeing needs

Students do not need a diagnosis to access learning support at Wolsey Hall. The service is open to all.

Meet the team

Learning Support and Wellbeing Manager

Deja Pygott

Deja is a learning support expert with a wealth of experience and knowledge which she has used to support students with additional needs for nearly two decades. She has taught across all age phases and has experience teaching in the UK and USA. Deja has studied extensively and achieved several relevant qualifications after achieving her undergraduate degree. These include: National Award for SEND Coordination, Level 7 Diploma in Supporting Students with Literacy Difficulties Postgraduate Diploma, Child, adolescent and family mental wellbeing, Therapeutic Childcare Certificate Association of Family Therapists foundation training, as well as further CPD in behaviour, wellbeing, social communication needs and attachment styles.

Learning Support Administrator

Steph Williams

Steph works alongside Deja to support families who reach out to the Learning Support department. She is a key person who can help assess what support a family will need from the start and answer questions that a family may have about the services available. Steph’s experience and qualifications are invaluable and include: an extensive understanding of wellbeing and mental health, as well as experience of supporting students with educational needs. She is a teacher of Psychology, Sociology & Thinking Skills and also a School governor, Qualified Life Coach with experience in both UK and international settings.

How does Learning Support help Students?

There are a range of programmes and interventions that can be used to support students to reach their full potential.  Learning Support staff can: 

  • Share best practice and training with other members of staff who are working with the student 
  • Give guidance on key issues to the family 
  • Lead one-to-one sessions with students and those supporting them to address areas for development.  

It is the last intervention that has become our speciality and an important offering for many of our students.

Learning Support programmes at Wolsey Hall Oxford

I must say enrolling Nicole at Wolsey Hall has been one of the best decisions we ever made. At school, Nicole’s progress remained extremely limited due to lack of support with her learning difficulties. Since being at Wolsey, Nicole’s English has come on leaps and bounds, from her spelling, to grammar, to organisation and formats of essays. The amount of time and support Nicole’s tutors, Pat and Michelle have invested in Nicole has been fantastic. Nicole’s academic knowledge and confidence has soared since being at Wolsey and I am extremely grateful to you all. (Nicole has segmatic pragmatic disorder high functioning autism, as well as suspected dyslexia).
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Michelle Rudge – IGCSE Parent

UK

Great success with Year 4 Wolsey Hall courses, therefore continuing onto Year 5. Now, concluding our second year of Homeschooling, I can only say how glad we are that we chose Wolsey from the start. Everything about the Wolsey Hall Oxford programme; from the easy to follow daily lessons, the extra online resources provided, to our fantastic Progress Manager and wonderful Tutors who are just an email away if we need help, have all made our homeschooling adventure the best decision we ever made for our family.
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Amanda Scott – Homeschooling Parent

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