About Knowl Hill
Our Services
Knowl Hill School has a whole school approach to the problems of pupils who are admitted, and therefore the specialist programmes apply to all pupils. Each pupil has Individual Education Plans prepared by the specialist staff. Each pupil follows a multi-sensory programme for literacy skills based on one or more than one, as is deemed appropriate:
- The Hickey Multi-sensory Language course by Augur & Briggs
- Alpha to Omega by Hornsby & Shear
- The Dyslexia Institute's Literacy Programme
- The Kingston Literacy Programme by Lucy Cowdrey
- Units of Sound based on the work of W. Bramley
The above is given on an individual basis each day with extra one to one tuition as required.
Each pupil follows the Heinemann Mathematics scheme but is given structured multi-sensory specialist teaching as appropriate based on the methods and materials of Professor Mahesh Sharma and the work of Dr Chinn.
Each pupil takes part in a 45-minute drama group per week in which guidance and social training is given, as well as acting out day to day problems and counselling for all social skills and communication problems, conducted by a teacher and the Speech & Language Therapist. For extra cost pupils who require an individual and regular approach can see a school counsellor for an hour a week. In addition to the above, the counsellors have 'open door' sessions available, at no cost to parents, for any pupil to talk through their problems.
All class groups have one/two sessions of thinking skills each week to address difficulties experienced with perceptual, sequencing and memory skills. The course followed are the 'Somerset Thinking Skills Development Course' by Blagg, Ballinger and Gardiner, the 'Instrumental Enrichment' by Professor Reuven Feuerstein and 'Bright Start' for the youngest pupils.
Speech & Language Therapy is available on a daily basis for all pupils either in small groups or individually. These sessions last for 45 minutes and are charged as an extra cost. Each pupil is assessed by the therapist on entry to the school.
Occupational Therapy is available one day a week either in a small group or on an individual basis as appropriate. In the case of both therapists and counsellors regular and close liaison with all teachers and parents takes place.
The National Curriculum is followed but can be modified to suit individual pupil's needs. In all subjects emphasis is placed on a pupil's strengths and they are encouraged to value themselves and their achievements.
Every pupil at Knowl Hill has the use of a laptop computer, which older children can take home. Pupils have lessons in computer skills, typing, word processing and spreadsheets and are encouraged to use their laptop computers to help with their written work.
Most children take Key Stage Tests. Senior pupils follow the GCSE courses and sit these exams in Year 11. Literacy and Numeracy Certificate of Achievement tests are also available for pupils who are unable to cope with the GCSE examinations. Knowl Hill pupils work towards Word Processing qualifications such as Modula Word Processing exams and C.L.A.I.T. All senior school pupils take English Speaking Board Examinations.
We have developed a Careers policy in conjunction with Surrey Careers Service; pupils go out on a work experience week in Year 10.