The learning support department is absolutely intrinsic to the academic life of the school and is seriously impressiveGood Schools Guide
St David's College provides specialist learning support for every pupil, built into everyday teaching rather than set apart from it. As a mainstream, academically ambitious independent school in North Wales, we support the full range of specific learning differences, including specialist dyslexia support, support for dyscalculia and maths difficulty, dyspraxia and dysgraphia, alongside stretch and challenge for the most able. On entry, every child is assessed on numeracy and literacy to build a Pupil Passport, which shapes their Individual Learning Plan. From the classroom to the Cadogan Learning Support Centre, support is personalised so pupils of every ability are understood and helped to thrive.
All classroom and wider curriculum teachers have experience working with multi-sensory teaching techniques, allowing them to tailor their teaching to individual learning styles. All teachers are experienced in supporting pupils with barriers to learning such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
Where a formal diagnosis would help, the Cadogan Centre offers a full diagnostic assessment for dyslexia and other specific learning differences. We also provide English as an additional language support for our international pupils.
“I just couldn't learn the way most schools taught. I know how lucky I am to have had this much support from school, so I don't use dyslexia as an excuse, I work with it and I have learned to have belief in myself.” – Jack (OD, 2017), who has recently graduated from University of Wales Trinity Saint David with a BA in Automotive and Transport Design.
What learning differences does St David's support?
The school supports pupils across the full range of specific learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia, alongside stretch for the most able. Support is built into everyday teaching rather than separated from it.
Is St David's a special school or a mainstream school?
St David's is a mainstream, academically ambitious independent school. Specialist learning support strengthens teaching for every pupil, but the school is not a specialist-only setting, and pupils achieve across the full ability range.
How does learning support work day to day?
Every pupil is assessed on entry to build a Pupil Passport, which informs an Individual Learning Plan. Small classes and staff trained in multi-sensory teaching mean support is part of the classroom, not a bolt-on.
Who leads learning support at the school?
Learning support is led by the SENCo and Head of the Cadogan Centre, Dr Faye Favill, working with teaching staff across the school.
Is there an extra charge for learning support?
Additional one-to-one or small-group support, and therapies such as speech and language or occupational therapy, are charged in addition to the standard fees. See the fees page for current rates.
