SEN Provision

At Farleigh College we employ a wide range of trained professionals to work with our pupils. As well as individual and group sessions, they offer advice and training to the rest of the staff to ensure that we are working with our pupils in the best possible way.

Rachel Smith - Speech and Language Therapist

Our experienced Speech and Language Therapist works with students and staff, supporting students with Asperger’s Syndrome. This offers an integrated approach to the development of communication by providing speech, language and social skills training relevant to each student’s abilities and needs.

Communication skills are vital to learning and to integrating successfully with others in the school and in the work place. Students with Asperger’s have difficulty acquiring and using appropriate language skills in a social context. The Speech and Language Therapist is involved with staff in Assessment, Devising Programmes, Individual and Group Therapy, Target-Setting and evaluation of Outcomes relating to communication skills.

Parents are encouraged to take an active role, to meet with the Speech and Language Therapist and to discuss ways of promoting their child’s communication at home. The Speech and Language Therapy Service is well established and continues to promote new ways of collaborative working with staff.


Alice Fowler - Occupational Therapist

The aim of Occupational Therapy is to facilitate the child’s development in areas of daily functioning and independence.
Within Farleigh College, the Occupational Therapist uses the standardised assessments of movement and visual-motor integration to assess each pupil’s strengths and weaknesses.  Through this and reference to previous reports and information from other people involved in each pupil’s care and education, a programme ofactivities is designed.  The main focus is to develop gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, pen and scissor skills.


Rachael Simper - Literacy Specialist

Rachel is highly qualified in supporting pupils with literacy difficulties, notably dyslexia. She works full time with pupils who find learning in this area difficult and uses her 1:1 and small group sessions to improve practice across the school. Pupils who join the college often make huge strides with their literacy, not uncommonly making a year's progress in just a few months. This of course, gives a much needed boost to our pupils who come with the impression that they are incapable of making real improvements in this area.


Bridget Palmer-Waller - Asperger's Co-ordinator

Bridget works with pupils who need extra input for a whole host of reasons. She provides a vital link between care and teaching staff and ensures that everyone is doing all they can to support pupils in a positive way