Learning Development
Learning for Life
The Learning Development Department is at the heart of our school life.
Our approach to Learning Development
Our Aims and Expectations commit to students that ‘we remove barriers to learning’ and ‘we build self-belief and ambition’.
We tell all our students that we ‘will teach you how to how to take control of your life and learning’ and ensure you ‘have the tools and strategies you need to regulate yourself and to access any help you need’. The Learning Development Department is central to this process.
Many schools operate on the premise that some students ‘have learning difficulties’ and others ‘do not’. At Milton Abbey our philosophy is that all learning is difficult – if you are doing it properly! We all learn differently, regardless of having Dyslexia, Dyscalculia or Dysgraphia for example, and can benefit from opportunities to develop and refine our approach to learning.
The majority of our students have identified learning challenges: many have received ‘pull-out’ support for several sessions a week throughout their education.
Too much education for those who learn differently focuses on the deficits and problems of the individual. Segregating children from their peers can lead to negativity, lack of belief, a sense of exclusion and learned helplessness.
We take a different approach and focus, more positively, on the ‘Development’ of learning for all. Our Learning Development (LD) Department serves all our students and staff. Much of their work goes on outside the LD base, with LD teachers (including Maths, Science and English specialists) visiting classrooms, observing teaching and learning, and advising students and teachers on ways to make every lesson work best for every student.
At Milton Abbey, Learning Development is not about a session or two a week but is embedded in every lesson, in every subject, for every student.
A Dyslexic Student’s Journey
The team around your child
Based on prior assessments, discussions with parents, our own assessments of students and ongoing monitoring of our students, detailed learning profiles inform all our teaching and programming for each child.
LD work closely with parents, our House teams, Health Centre and Counsellors, ensuring that every child’s academic and pastoral needs are understood and met by a team who really ‘get it’. LD staff are members of the Boarding Houses, which helps the team maintain excellent communication with subject teachers, personal tutors and pastoral staff, and gives insight into your child’s wider school life.
This teamwork enables us to meet another key aim at Milton Abbey: to ensure that every child ‘finds enthusiasm, direction and purpose’, in and beyond the classroom. Please make an appointment to discuss how our team can understand and meet your child’s needs.
I have dyslexia and I now benefit by having small class sizes, which allows me to concentrate more and this has enabled me to move into the top set for Science, Maths and English.
– Third Form Pupil
We understand that every child’s learning profile is unique. Our individual admissions visits, are designed to give families the time, space and reassurance needed when exploring whether our school is the right fit.
These personalised visits are arranged for pupils who are already registered and are ready to be assessed for a place. Each visit is thoughtfully tailored around your child, their strengths, interests, aspirations and any additional learning needs.
During your visit, your child will meet with a member of our Senior Leadership Team in a supportive, relaxed interview setting. Parents will have a private meeting to discuss their child’s learning profile in detail, including any assessments, strategies or support currently in place. We encourage open conversation so we can fully understand how best to help your child thrive.
Your family will enjoy a guided tour of the school, with the opportunity to explore subjects, facilities or areas of particular interest. You will also have the chance to meet key members of staff, including a Head of Department, the Director of Sport and our Head of Learning Development, to discuss the academic and pastoral support available.
Our aim is to ensure that both pupil and parents leave with a clear sense of whether Milton Abbey can provide the right environment for confidence, progress and success.
Admissions
Our Admissions Team would love to learn more about your child and explore how we can support their journey. We warmly invite you to register your interest and book a personalised admissions visit to discover all that we have to offer.
Register Your Interest
