The learning support department in the infant part of St Christopher's school aims to provide individual, structured programmes to children who are able to cope with main stream school but who require additional help above that which is offered in the classroom.

This support is provided by one full-time learning support teacher and two part-time learning support assistants. Support is offered within the class or withdrawn in small groups to the learning support room.

Children's difficulties are identified and addressed as early as possible. This is done using results from tests such as PIPs, teacher assessment and diagnostic tests used by the learning support department. Once a child has been identified as requiring additional support an Individual Education Plan is compiled with learning targets for the child to achieve. The child's progress is closely monitored and fed back to parents.

A partnership between parents and school is encouraged and children are given packs of games and worksheets to help them at home.

The learning support department works closely with two speech therapists that come into school to carry out assessments and set up programmes of work. The department also works closely with other professionals including Educational Psychologists, Behaviour Therapists and Occupational Therapists for further advice and guidance.

In Year 1 the learning support department organises the Early Literacy Support Programme which is a catch up programme for children in Year 1 who need to revisit key objectives from the National Literacy Strategy Framework. The aim of the programme is to ensure that by the beginning of term 3, all children are working at the appropriate objectives and are able to participate fully in the Literacy sessions within the class.