The AEN (Additional Educational Needs) Department at Minster College strives to meet the needs of all students within a supportive and inclusive curriculum. The college has a whole school policy where subject staff differentiate their lesson accordingly to include students of all abilities. Staff within the AEN department are always available to offer specialist advice and guidance.Within the department we have specialist support for:

• Irlen Syndrome
• Dyslexia
• Working with the hearing impaired
• Counselling

Students with additional needs have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), which highlights their area of need. Cross-curriculuar targets are set and reviewed yearly by all teaching staff. Parents are invited on a regular basis to discuss their child's progress. The Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) and staff within the department are always available and attend parents evenings to answer parent and or student  concerns.

The department regularly tests, tracks and monitors students progress offering additional support when it is deemed necessary. Specialist teachers assess students for exam dispensation. The College's teaching assistants support teaching and learning within and outside of the classroom. Staff are encouraged to attend courses to further their expertise and gain qualifications within AEN. Students with low level literacy skills throughout the school are offered additional support and students in year 9 access our Success Maker suite, a computer generated learning system. Small group work and one to one sessions are led by TA's offering additional help and guidance. Courses are run over a 6-week period and include:

• Reading
• Spelling
• Math
• Revision Booster Sessions
• Thinking Skills
• Social Use of Language Program
• Handwriting practice
• Anger Management

Our Basic Skills Deparment enables students to follow the National Curriculum within a structured and supported environment.