Pinnacle
An integral part of Meridian High School is Pinnacle; our enhanced learning provision (ELP). At Meridian, we are proud to offer personalised learning for all students, including those who have been identified as requiring additional support; liaising with students and parents to arrange the best possible provision so that all students can reach their potential.
- Inclusive education caters for the needs of all students.
- Inclusive practice are strategies and methods that ensure all learners can access education.
- It is important that all learners feel valued and supported where every students needs are being met.
- Personalised provision that has been deliberately designed to support the needs of our students.
- This includes literacy and language, neurological differences and social, emotional and mental health.
Pinnacle is a hub of learning. As part of our students’ personalised learning experience, we offer an extended curriculum provision including:
Neurological Differences Provisions:
- ASDAN https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=oh8cBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA99&dq=research+about+ASDAN&ots=I3Sl3ABiWf&sig=s1qUgbEt4B8lSFzVNgIQRSrLxos#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Forest School https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/forest-schools-impact-on-young-children-in-england-and-wales/
- Land based studies https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/land-based-services/agriculture/0170-technical-award-in-land-based-studies#tab=information
- Finance https://sjes.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41937-019-0027-5
- Home Cooking https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/15948/1/Lavelle_et_al-2016-International_Journal_of_Behavioral_Nutrition_and_Physical_Activity.pd
- Lego Therapy The-Effectiveness-of-Lego-Therapy-Intervention-UCL.pdf
Literacy and Language Provisions:
Thw purpose of the literacy and language provision is to support students to become effective communicators both verbally and in writing. We aim to challenge all students to use Standard English and high level vocabulary as tools to present the best version of themselves in education and beyond. Promote students to become avid readers of both fiction and non-fiction text and our goal is to foster a love of reading for pleasure
- Speech and Language Sessions
- Literacy Sessions (including Lexia and Dyslexia Gold)
- Numeracy & Literacy Catch-Up
- Reader leaders
As well as offering academic support, Pinnacle is a key pastoral provision for students with ASD or SLCN. Some students attend a Pinnacle tutor group and have a Pinnacle form tutor, others access the provision as a safe social space at break and lunch times. Our two sensory rooms are equipped with the tools and resources that students can use to help them refocus and prepare themselves for learning.
We also support students to regulate and return to learn through the use of our sensory circuit and active walls.
The Graduated Approach
At Meridian High School we use the Graduated Approach to supportg our students. An effective Graduated Approach draws on more detailed approaches, more frequent review and more specialist expertise in successive cycles in order to match interventions to an individual child or young person's needs.
Students who continue to face challenges in their learning, despite receiving high-quality teaching, are likely to need additional strategies, or different provision, in order to meet their needs. The SEND Code of Practice states that, for these learners, teachers are required to remove barriers to learning and put effective special educational provision in place through SEN support.
This SEN support takes the form of a four-part cycle (assess, plan, do, review). Through this cycle, actions are reviewed and refined as understanding of a student’s needs and the support required to help them secure good outcomes increases. This is known as the graduated approach.
At Meridian High School, we believe every student has the right to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. Our SEND and Inclusion provision, including Pinnacle and Summit, is built on the belief that all students have learning differences, not difficulties. We celebrate individuality and provide the support needed for every student to make secure progress.
Our inclusive approach ensures all students have equal access to a rich, engaging curriculum. Learning is adapted and personalised to meet diverse needs, supported by a team of dedicated professionals who promote wellbeing, confidence, and resilience.:
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In classroom support
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Interventions to support the individual student
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Exam access arrangements
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Staff training from our Inclusion and Behaviour Leads
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Specialist advice and a growing resource base
Pinnacle provides a calm, inclusive setting for students with ASD and SCLN, helping them to confidently access mainstream education. Each student follows a personalised timetable, including life skills-focused learning at Key Stages 3 and 4, with support from specialist staff and learning mentors both in the Pinnacle and in mainstream classes.
Explore below to find out more about our offer and access useful documents to support your child’s journey.
There are 30 places available within the Pinnacle and Summit and students are referred by Croydon’s special educational needs team. Students must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with a primary need of ASD.
If you feel your child may benefit from a place in the Pinnacle and Summit, please feel free to contact Miss Adamson our Deputy SENDCo who leads Pinnacle (g.adamson@meridianhigh.london)
