Bexley
Excellence Cluster
Learning Support Unit (LSU) Strand
(Business Academy, Erith School and Trinity School only)
Learning Support Units (LSU) are sometimes given another name
by schools. In Erith School the LSU is called the Progress Centre, and at Trinity
School it is called the Learning Support Centre.
As with the learning mentor strand, the LSU strand helps to motivate children
to learn, and to develop positive behaviour. They are intended to help children
stay in school and to carry on learning. They are particularly helpful for children
who could be at risk of exclusion, but they are also helpful for other children,
such as those who are having difficulty settling into, or coping with, normal
school life.
In fact the children who could benefit from time within a LSU include those
who have, or who are:
- Poor record of attendance
- Lack enthusiasm for work
- Lacking confidence
- Do not feel good about themselves
- Do not adapt well to change
- Falling behind with work
- Not doing as well as they could
- Have difficulty in organising themselves
- Have difficulty in following instructions
- Lack direction and commitment
- Passive learners
- Variety of behaviour difficulties
- Young carers
- Suffered death/loss in the famliy
- Truants
- Have difficulty in settling in to school
- Have difficulty in making friends
- Have difficulty in controlling their emotions
Children who could benefit from being in a LSU are identified through a referral
process. The LSUs contain only small numbers of children, normally no more than
10-12 at a time.
Children can be in LSUs on a part-time basis, so that they have some lessons
in the LSU and other lessons in the mainstream school, or on a full-time basis,
where they stay in a LSU for a period of time. The idea is that children are helped
in order for them to return to full-time lessons once they are ready.
Children could stay working in LSUs for a few days or for up to two terms.
The manager of the LSU will work very closely with children's teachers,
so that they are able to keep up their studies and not fall behind their classmates.
Quite often, LSUs will have learning mentors working in them. They may also
include a Connexions Personal Adviser, and others who can help the children return
to and stay in normal school life as successfully as possible.
If you have any concerns about your child working in a LSU, or if you want
more information about how the LSU is working in your child's school, then
please contact the head teacher of your child's school.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Learning Support
Unit strand...
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