At St Peter’s, Learning Support is not a standalone service—it’s a deeply embedded, dynamic part of the educational experience. From the youngest learners at St Peter’s 2–8, through their developing independence at 8-13 and to those preparing for university and beyond at 13–18, the school’s approach is rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and a belief in the potential of every individual.
A Strong Start: Learning Support at St Peter’s 2–8
At the youngest end of the school, the emphasis is on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where support is embedded in everyday classroom life. Kirsty Swales, who leads learning support at St Peter’s 2–8, explains:
“Our aim is to ensure that every child feels supported, valued, and empowered in their learning journey. Additional support is not something separate; it’s an integral part of our whole-school approach.”
Whether it’s through subtle classroom adjustments or more tailored individual programmes, the focus is always on helping children succeed within their everyday environment. Collaboration is key—staff, parents, and even external professionals work together to ensure that the support is effective and responsive.
Kirsty adds,
“One of the things I love most about my job is the incredible variety it offers. But above all, the very best part is working directly with the children—watching their confidence grow and seeing the progress they make is what makes it worthwhile.”
Building Independence: Learning Support at St Peter’s 8–13
As children grow in independence, so too does the learning support provision as we adapt to meet their developing needs. Jules Bousfield leads learning support at St Peter’s 8–13, where the approach continues to be centred on the individual.
The aim of the department is to help pupils along their learning journey so that they believe in themselves, participate fully in activities, fulfil their potential, develop lifelong skills and thoroughly enjoy themselves along the way.
Support comes in many forms—whether that’s classroom based, targeting interventions, regular check-ins, or whole-school strategies that embrace diversity and inclusion.
Jules describes her role as multifaceted:
“In the same day I can be an observer, an assessor, a teacher, a mentor, a plan maker, a communicator with external support agencies… and a playground supervisor! No two days are the same.”
Despite the variety, her favourite part remains consistent:
“Teaching wonderful children and working with amazing staff have always won for me.”
Preparing for the Future: Learning Support at St Peter’s 13–18
At the senior end of the school, the learning support team plays a crucial role in ensuring that students with additional needs can thrive academically and personally. Caroline Blankley-Sharp leads this provision with a sharp focus on measurable outcomes and personal growth.
“We are ambitious and aspirational about the education of all of the St Peter’s community. Through knowing the needs of each individual, we creatively adapt and scaffold the curriculum to support students in achieving their maximum potential.”
Working in close partnership with subject teachers, the pastoral team, and families, Caroline ensures that each student receives a bespoke package of support tailored to their unique needs.
“My role is both specialised and diverse,” she explains. “I work across the teaching, curriculum, wellbeing, and pastoral teams. We rely on effective communication and coordination to find creative solutions for our pupils.”
When that happens, the results are powerful:
“The highlight of this role is always when you ‘get it right’ for a pupil and you see the fantastic outcomes that tweaks and adaptions to the curriculum can bring to their learning journey.”
A Whole School Approach
Learning support at St Peter’s School is not confined to a room or a department—it is woven into the fabric of daily life across the entire school. From the early steps of independence to the threshold of adulthood, the school’s unwavering dedication to inclusive, thoughtful support helps every child grow in confidence, skill, and self-belief.
If you would like to find out more about the Learning and Support Provision at St Peter’s, please contact [email protected].
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