Interventions
At Stowupland High School, we want every student to feel confident, included and able to achieve. Sometimes a student needs a little extra help along the way, so we offer a range of targeted interventions alongside everyday classroom teaching.
On this page you can find out what each intervention involves, who it is for and how it can help. Support is reviewed regularly, and students may move on from, or between, interventions as their needs change. If you would like to talk about whether any of these could help your child, please get in touch with our SENCo (details at the bottom of the page).
Building Strong Foundations
Ofsted expects every school to make sure pupils secure strong foundations in the skills that unlock the rest of the curriculum, including older pupils who have not yet reached the level expected for their age. These foundational skills are:
- Communication and language, including speaking and listening (oracy)
- Reading, including accuracy, fluency and understanding
- Writing, including composing ideas
- Spelling
- Handwriting
- Numeracy
Many of our interventions are designed to strengthen these skills. Others support students’ wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, which Ofsted also looks at closely through its focus on personal development, attendance and inclusion. Under each intervention below, you can see which of these areas it supports.
Reading and Literacy
Catch Up Literacy
Catch Up Literacy is a structured one-to-one programme for students who find reading and writing a struggle. Each student begins with an assessment, which helps us pinpoint exactly what they need to work on. They then meet regularly with a trained member of staff for short, focused sessions that combine reading, writing and spelling practice. The aim is to close gaps, build confidence and help students get more from every subject.
Who is it for? Students whose reading or writing is below what we would expect for their age where our literacy interventions have made little or no progress.
Broad area of need: Cognition and Learning
What to expect: Short, regular one-to-one sessions with a trained adult. We keep track of progress so we can see the difference it is making.
Lexia
Lexia is an online reading programme that adjusts to each student’s level. Students work through interactive activities that build phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. The programme becomes more challenging as they improve and offers extra practice where something is proving tricky. Staff can see how each student is progressing and use this to plan their next steps.
Who is it for? Students who would benefit from regular reading practice at a pace that suits them.
Broad area of need: Cognition and learning
What to expect: Sessions on a computer in school. Because the activities are matched to each student’s own level, they can work independently and see their progress for themselves.
Lexonik
Lexonik is a step-by-step phonics programme that helps students who find it hard to read and spell unfamiliar words. It teaches how letters, sounds, syllables and word parts such as prefixes and suffixes fit together, using lively, multi-sensory activities. Over time, students gain the tools to tackle new words with confidence, which supports their reading, spelling and vocabulary across all subjects.
Who is it for? Students who need extra help with phonics, decoding (breaking down sounds) and spelling.
Broad area of need: Cognition and learning
What to expect: Teaching in a small, supportive setting, with plenty of opportunity to practise and celebrate progress.
1:1 Reading
Students spend regular time reading with a trained adult, who listens, encourages and talks about the text with them. This one-to-one attention helps build fluency and understanding and, just as importantly, enjoyment of reading and belief in themselves as a reader.
Who is it for? Students who would benefit from extra reading practice or who have lost confidence in reading aloud.
Broad area of need: Cognition and learning
How you can help: A few minutes of reading together at home, whether it is a book, a magazine or an article about something they love, can make a real difference.
Maths
Catch Up Numeracy
Catch Up Numeracy is a structured one-to-one programme for students who find maths difficult. It starts with an assessment to identify the specific areas where a student is unsure, then uses short, targeted sessions with a trained adult to build number skills step by step. The aim is to fill gaps in understanding so that students feel more confident in their maths lessons.
Who is it for? Students who are finding working with numbers hard or who have gaps in their maths knowledge.
Broad area of need: Cognition and learning
What to expect: Short, regular one-to-one sessions with a trained adult, with progress tracked along the way.
Speech, Language and Communication
Language Link
Communication and language development
Language Link helps us identify students who find it hard to understand spoken language, learn new vocabulary or explain their ideas. Following a screening, students take part in targeted activities that build their understanding and use of language. Strong language skills underpin learning in every subject, as well as friendships and confidence.
Who is it for? Students who may need support with listening, understanding, vocabulary or expressing themselves.
Broad area of need: Communication and interaction
What to expect: Activities matched to your child’s needs, delivered individually or in small groups by trained staff. We will share what we learn and how you can support your child at home.
Talkabout
Social and emotional skills
Talkabout is a structured programme that helps students develop the skills they need to communicate and get along with others. Sessions explore things like understanding body language, starting and keeping up a conversation, listening, recognising how other people feel and managing your own emotions. Students practise through discussion, activities and role play in a safe, supportive space.
Who is it for? Students who find social situations tricky or who would like to build their confidence and self-esteem.
Broad areas of need: Communication and interaction, and social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: Sessions led by trained staff, usually in a small group, with students encouraged to try out their new skills in everyday school life.
Social, Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
Soft Starts
Soft Starts offers a calm, welcoming start to the school day for students who find mornings or the move into school difficult. Instead of heading straight into a busy day, students are greeted by a trusted adult and settle in with a quiet activity and a friendly chat. This helps them feel safe, calm and ready to learn.
Who is it for? Students who feel anxious about coming into school, find busy times overwhelming or need a little extra reassurance.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: A relaxed, predictable routine with familiar, friendly adults.
Friendship Club
Belong • Support • Connect
Friendship Club is a welcoming space where students can spend time with others, join in games and activities and build friendships with the support of staff. It gives students the chance to feel part of something and to practise their social skills in a relaxed way.
Who is it for? Students who find it hard to make or keep friends, who find unstructured times difficult, or who would simply like a calm place to meet new people.
Broad areas of need: Social, emotional and mental health, and communication and interaction
What to expect: A relaxed, supervised environment where everyone is welcome and students are encouraged to join in at their own pace.
Key Stage 4 Drop-in
The Key Stage 4 Drop-in is a friendly, informal space where Year 10 and 11 students can raise any concerns they have, including worries about friendships. It also gives us the opportunity to carry out regular check-ins with students who need a little extra support, including emotional support, so that small worries can be dealt with before they grow.
Who is it for? Key Stage 4 students who want to talk something through, who are having difficulties with friendships, or who would benefit from a regular check-in with a trusted member of staff.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: A relaxed, supportive conversation with a member of staff who will listen and help students decide on next steps. Some students attend whenever they need to, and others are invited for regular check-ins.
Mock and Exam Breakfast
Exams and mocks can be a stressful time. The Mock and Exam Breakfast runs from 8.30am to 9.00am on days when mocks and exams are scheduled, giving students a quieter space and some time to settle, calm down and get ready before they begin. It is especially helpful for students who struggle with exam anxiety.
Who is it for? Students who feel anxious about mocks or exams, or who find it hard to feel calm and ready on exam days.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: A quiet, relaxed environment with supportive staff, and time to regulate emotions before the exam begins.
MHST (Mental Health Support Team)
Our Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is an NHS-funded service that works in partnership with schools. Its trained practitioners offer early help for common difficulties such as worry, anxiety, low mood and stress. Support can include one-to-one sessions, group work and workshops, as well as guidance for parents and carers. The team also works with school staff to support the wellbeing of the whole school community.
Who is it for? Students experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health difficulties.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
Good to know: MHST offers early support and is not an emergency service. If you are worried about your child’s immediate safety, please contact your GP or NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
Benjamin Foundation
We work with the Benjamin Foundation, a charity that supports children, young people and families across Norfolk and Suffolk. Their trained practitioners offer emotional wellbeing support, giving students a safe space to talk through their worries and develop ways of coping.
Who is it for? Students who would benefit from someone outside of school to talk to about their emotional wellbeing.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: Sessions with a trained practitioner. We will always talk with you and your child first about whether this is the right support.
Youth Worker Support - The Mix
Students can also be referred through school to our Youth Worker, who offers additional interventions, including Diadem Girls and Valore, our new group for boys. Our Youth Worker also runs a lunchtime drop-in, giving students another friendly place to go for support.
Who is it for? Students who would benefit from extra support alongside the help already available in school.
Broad area of need: Social, emotional and mental health
What to expect: Friendly, supportive sessions run by our Youth Worker. If you think your child might benefit, please speak to our SENCo.
Handwriting and Motor Skills
Handwriting
Handwriting support helps students whose writing is hard to read, slow or tiring to produce. Sessions focus on letter formation, pen grip, posture, spacing and building speed and stamina. The goal is writing that is clear and comfortable, so that students can get their ideas down on paper with less effort and more confidence in lessons and exams.
Who is it for? Students who find handwriting difficult or tiring, or whose writing is hard for others to read.
Broad areas of need: Cognition and learning, and sensory and/or physical
What to expect: Short, regular practice sessions with plenty of encouragement, and progress celebrated along the way.
Fine Motor
Fine Motor sessions use practical activities to strengthen the hands and fingers and improve coordination and control. These skills underpin writing, drawing and using equipment such as rulers, scissors and compasses, so building them can make a real difference to everyday tasks across many subjects.
Who is it for? Students who find pen control, practical tasks or using classroom equipment tricky or tiring.
Broad area of need: Sensory and/or physical
What to expect: Varied, hands-on activities, with ideas for practising at home where appropriate.
EHCP Interventions
EHCP Section F: Support and Provision
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people who need more support than is usually available in school. Section F sets out the special educational provision a student needs: the specific help, teaching approaches and therapies that must be in place to meet their needs. At Stowupland High School, we work to deliver every part of Section F, bringing together teachers, support staff and, where needed, outside professionals such as speech and language therapists.
Who is it for? Students who have an EHCP.
Broad areas of need: Can include any of the four areas, depending on your child’s needs.
What to expect: The support in your child’s plan is put into practice in school and reviewed regularly, including at the annual review, where you and your child have a central voice. If you have questions about your child’s plan, please speak to our SENCo.
Get in touch
If you would like to know more about any of these interventions, or you think your child could benefit from some extra support, we would love to hear from you. Please contact our SENCo, Mr Walters, on sendco@stowuplandhighschool.co.uk or speak to the school office.