Light Hall School offers a comprehensive range of student support services including: Careers: Careers offers an 'in-house' information, advice and guidance service for careers, apprenticeships and work experience. For detailed information on each service please click the tabs above
Students in year 10 and 11 can request a careers interview with the connexions service. They will then be seen during school times on Monday or Thursday in the connexions office (PSC building). Niki Berry and Claire Christian are available on these days during first break if students want to see someone at short notice. (Careers team in full below) There is now a connexions area in the corner of the LRC and a connexions noticeboard outside the library. "In November 2009 the school was recognised for its high quality and effective practice and was awarded the Careers Education Information and Advice Award by the Connexions Service".
Apprenticeships
West Midland National Apprenticeship Service are now adding over 100 vacancies per week, so please take a moment to look at their website to see the range of vacancies currently available www.apprenticeships.org.uk. Currently there are over 1000 live vacancies in the West Midlands. If you have any questions about these vacancies please email wmnas@apprenticeships.gov.uk or call 0121 345 4565.
‘September Guarantee’ LMI News Student Finance for Higher Education
Niki Berry and Claire Christian (Connexions Advisors) operate a drop in sessions at break times for anyone after careers advice and no appointment is required for this. A range of guidance is also available via www.solihull.gov.uk/connexions For help on a range of personal issues including finance and travel go to Connexions Direct at www.connexionsdirect.co.uk. Where did our students go after leaving school?
Light Hall School is a member of the Young, Gifted and Talented community and benefits from the work of the Gifted and Talented Coordinator's Miss Knight and Lead Teacher Mrs Plaza. The basis of our work in this field is: Early identification, subject specific identification, individual support and extension. Avenues pursued include: Master-classes, summer schools, mentoring and early examination entry. Talent is thus identified early and encouraged. What does Gifted & Talented mean? According to the DFES Gifted and Talented students are: “Children and young people with one or more abilities developed to a level significantly ahead of their year group (or with the potential to develop those abilities)”. How are Gifted and talented students identified? Gifted - Students capable of excelling in academic subjects such as English or History. Talented - students who may excel in practical subjects, such as PE, Drama and Art. Staff are asked to identify students who display some of the characteristics below.
Some gifted and talented pupils may be intellectually able but also appear on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) register for behavioural, literacy or physical difficulties. At Light Hall we pride ourselves in identifying potentially Gifted and Talented students who may be underachieving. If you believe your child has Gifts and/or Talents that we are not aware of then please contact the school for further information. Examples of extension and enrichment opportunities to date.
Young Gifted and Talented programme (YG&T) The Young Gifted and Talented programme (YG&T) was set up in 2007 to provide support and opportunities for gifted and talented children aged 4 to 19, including those who were members of the former National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY). National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) runs an independent parent support network to help parents and carers resolve disputes with schools and local authorities. It also offers advice and support to parents and carers of gifted and talented children. Parents play an essential role in the development of their gifted and talented children, a role which the school supports but cannot displace. Useful Resources
The P.S.D. curriculum is designed to promote the social, spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development of all pupils. It prepares pupils for the responsibility and experiences of adult life and also provides sex and drug education. Careers advice and Records of Achievement are included in the curriculum as is citizenship. P.S.D. takes place in most areas of the curriculum. Core and foundation studies make a significant contribution to the delivery of P.S.D. To ensure that all requirements are fully met at Light Hall, pupils follow a five year course and receive one forty minute lesson each week. These lessons are planned and organised by the P.S.D. Co-ordinator and delivered by form tutors. Aims of the Personal & Social Education Course
Health Education forms a large part of the curriculum in each year group and includes sex education, substance abuse, personal hygiene, stress, depression and mental health
Light Hall School is proud of the pastoral support provided to students, parents and caregivers. Our last OFSTED report (OFSTED Inspection Dec 2009) highlighted Care, Guidance and Support as an outstanding feature of the school. Student Services Students are able to access support for general day to day issues such as signing in and out of school, First Aid, uniform and providing reasons for absence. Pastoral Support Centre Known as the PSC, the Pastoral Support Centre is managed by Mr O’Grady. The centre is designed as a temporary measure to support students who are unable to access mainstream education for a number of reasons. As such, the length of time a student spends in the centre is based upon their individual needs. Senior Members and Pastoral staff make referrals, who work collaboratively with students, teachers, parents and caregivers. Pastoral Managers There are 3 Pastoral Managers: Miss Chagger - (Senior Pastoral Manager) Head of Transition Responsible for year 7 Mrs Cull - Lower School Pastoral Manager) Responsible for years 8 & 9 Miss Masters - (Upper School Pastoral Manager) Responsible for years 10 & 11 They are non-teaching members of staff who work in conjunction with Heads of Year to ensure that each student is fully supported in an academic and pastoral capacity. The managers promote an active image and are the first point of contact for our students, parents and caregivers. This role allows identification of any issues or areas of concern. This allows specific and targeted work for each individual. X-Stream Counselling X-Stream is a youth initiative partnership with the local churches in Shirley. The schoolwork inpartnership with X-Stream, who have been involved with Light Hall for a number of years. A X-Stream counsellor talks with our students which has created a unique opportunity for students to engage with non-school staff in a safe and controlled environment. The aim of X-Stream is empower young people to value themselves and others, thus leading to them making confident and appropriate lifestyle choices for the future; An ethos that is at the heart of Light Hall School. Referrals can be made through the Pastoral Managers. External Agencies The Pastoral team also work in close proximity with external agencies such as:
Peer Mentoring The school operates a Peer Mentoring Programme, led by selected year 10 students attached to year 7 form groups. This not only empowers students but also provides younger students with alternative support.
The SEN Department is managed by two part time SENCOs working on a job share basis. They are supported by an Assistant SENCO (who also works as a Learning Support Assistant) and a further 10 Learning Support Assistants working with youngsters across both key stage. The Learning Support Department at Light Hall will continue to expand to reflect the needs of the children within the school. We are fully supported by Solihull Learning Support Service and Solihull Educational Psychology Service. Our close working relationship with the Pupil Support Centre means that we have access to a wider support network which includes counsellors and behavioural support teams. Support: The majority of our resources are deployed to support students who join Light Hall with a reading age of between 7 and 9 years. We deliver a range of withdrawal classes which are offered to students with the greatest need. These include: Peer reading | Writing | Organisation | Reading Level 3-4 | Social SkillsHandwriting The school is able to ensure that SEN groups usually have no more than 15 students, often supported by an LSA. Mrs H Close - SENCO (Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday)
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is an information centre designed to support the learning, teaching and research needs of our students and staff. The LRC is open throughout the school day and is also available to students during morning break and lunchtime for study, homework and research. LRC Opening Times 
Careers - Work Experience Work Experience Handbook 2011/2012 In KS3 pupils have opportunities to link with industry and commerce through links with local engineers and businesses. Substantial advice and support is available when pupils have to make option choices. In KS4 the school draws on the advice and expertise of specialist tutors, the Connexions service and staff from local colleges and other agencies. Pupils have the opportunity of individual guidance prior to leaving school.
* Please note HSBC in Shirley no longer offer places for work experience.
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