Cognition and Learning at Christ Church

What is Cognition and Learning? 🧠📘

Cognition and learning is one of the four main areas of need outlined in the SEND Code of Practice. It simply refers to how a child learns, thinks and understands the world.

Every child learns differently. Some children find certain parts of learning more challenging than others. This can include:

• Specific learning differences: Such as Dyslexia (reading and spelling), Dyscalculia (maths), Dyspraxia (coordination), or Dysgraphia (writing).

• General learning challenges: Difficulties with working memory, concentration, staying organised, or understanding instructions.

Our Approach: Safe, Supported and Included 🔒

At Christ Church, we want every child to feel safe and happy so they are ready to learn. We know that when a child feels safe and valued, their brain is in the best place to grow.

We use an "adaptations approach." This means instead of expecting your child to change to fit the lesson, we change the lesson to fit your child.

How We Support Your Child in the Classroom 👥

We support children through three main steps:

1. High-Quality Classroom Teaching (Universal Support)

We design our classrooms to be calm, predictable, and welcoming. Teachers adapt their everyday teaching so all children can take part. This includes using:

• Visual timetables and pictures to explain tasks.

• Bite-sized, clear instructions.

• Specialist tools like overlays, writing slopes, or fidget resources.

2. Extra Help and Interventions (Targeted Support)

If a child needs a bit of extra help with reading, writing, or maths, we provide small-group or one-to-one sessions. These are designed to build your child's confidence and skills in a positive, encouraging way.

3. Working with Specialists (Expert Support)

We use the 'Assess-Plan-Do-Review' cycle. This means we constantly check how our support is working. If a child needs more specialized help, we work closely with you to bring in outside experts, such as the Educational Psychology team or SENAAT, to get extra advice.

Our Promise: We work as a team with you and your child. Every step of the way, we will listen to your voice and focus on what your child can do, helping them achieve their very best.