Learning Support (SEND)

We are incredibly ambitious for all students who follow a broad and balanced mainstream curriculum.

The majority of students with additional needs make progress in their lessons through High Quality Teaching strategies. For those students requiring support additional to or different from their peers, a student passport will share strategies for teachers to implement in class, and the Learning Support processes identify those who may require an intervention for a defined period of time.

We support a large number of students across the school from Years 7 to 13 with a range of additional needs including:

• Speech, Language and communication (including Autism)
• Cognition and Learning (including dyslexia, dyscalcula)
• Social Emotional and Mental Health (including ADHD)
• Physical and Sensory

Our team of Progress Coaches mainly support students with an EHCP. We do not have support allocated to individuals or classes; our Progress Coaches work across the school, providing lesson check-ins, support where necessary, delivering interventions and coaching sessions.

For children with an EHCP, applications are made via the Local Authority. It is strongly recommended to visit the school prior to applying and having a conversation with a member of the Learning Support team about our provision and school environment.

To support as smooth a transition as possible, the Learning Support team work closely with primary schools to find out about any additional needs and support that may be required. Following this, further transition support may take place, including:

• Transition meeting with families
• Visits to primary schools
• Targeted transition

Joining Guildford County – Students with an EHCP

If your child currently has an EHCP and is in Year 4 or 5, we recommend booking a tour so that we can show you the provision we offer at Guildford County.  Tours are deliberately kept small and usually last about an hour.  They cover all areas of the school, the Learning Support department and our Loft provision.  There is also the opportunity to ask questions.

Tours are scheduled throughout the year and must be booked in advance.  Please email learningsupport@guildfordcounty.co.uk  to book a space.

Upcoming School Tours

Day	Date	Time
Thursday	30th Apr	2.15pm
Wednesday	13th May	9.30am
Wednesday	24th Jun	9.30am
Wednesday	8th Jul	9.30am

We also recommend that you read our SEND policy and other documents, so you fully understand our offer if you are planning on naming us as your preferred school for Year 7.

Our provision map provides a comprehensive overview of the Learning Support available at  County. The majority of students will receive Wave 1 and certain Wave 2 interventions with a small number of students receiving Wave 3.

Provision Map

 

Access arrangements are an entitlement for certain students; their purpose is to ‘level the playing field’ not to offer advantage. Anna Marshall is the school’s Access Arrangement Administrator.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has a stringent set of regulations that we must adhere to as a school. Access arrangements must be a student’s normal way of working for us to be able to apply. Unfortunately, we cannot accept privately commissioned reports for access arrangements.  Please contact Anna Marshall should you have any queries.

The Loft is our purpose-built High Coin centre for those who have an EHCP with a primary diagnosis of autism or social communication difficulties.  Students should have the capability to achieve at least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) and access learning within the mainstream classroom.

The Loft welcomed its first students in September 2025 with 5 spaces available in Year 7 and Year 8.  This will increase year on year to be 25 spaces once full. These are allocated by Surrey SEND after consultation with the school. 

Students placed within The Loft provision will spend the majority of their time in mainstream lessons, following the same curriculum as the rest of their year group.  Some core lessons may take place in small groups within The Loft and students will have access to Life Skills sessions, interventions, and a calm space that they can retreat to if the mainstream environment is overwhelming during social times.  

Admissions

If you are considering The Loft for your child, we recommend discussing suitability with your Primary School SENDCo and your Case Officer in the first instance. 

Places in The Loft are allocated by Surrey SEND in consultation with the school.

The expectation is that students will meet the following criteria:

• A primary diagnosis of Autism
• The cognitive ability to access the mainstream curriculum and achieve at least 5 GCSE’s
• The capacity to benefit from a mainstream education 80% of the time, with targeted support
• Evidence of being able to work alongside peers within a classroom environment
• Does not pose a risk to themselves or other students

We strongly encourage you to visit the school if you are considering The Loft for your child. Tours are scheduled throughout the year and must be booked in advance.  Please email learningsupport@guildfordcounty.co.uk to book a space.