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Learning Support at the Bulmershe School
At The Bulmershe School, we believe inclusion begins with knowing every student as an individual. Every young person deserves to feel valued, understood and supported to achieve their ambitions.
Bulmershe Learning Support Team
Our dedicated Learning Support Team is at the heart of this commitment, providing compassionate, personalised support that helps students build confidence, develop independence and achieve their very best.
Working closely with students, families and colleagues, we create an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to flourish. We are proud of the positive relationships we build and the difference we make every day.
Meet the team who are here to support, encourage and champion every student on their journey.
The Bulmershe Learning Support Ethos
“Every learner known. Every voice heard. Every potential unlocked”
Bulmershe Learning Support Aims
At The Bulmershe School, we believe every young person has strengths, talents and potential. Our role is to work alongside students to understand who they are, remove barriers to learning and ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that students with SEND should experience the same ambition, opportunities and expectations as their peers. Through adaptive teaching, strong ordinarily available provision (the support and adjustments that are part of everyday classroom practice) and a whole-school commitment to inclusive practice, we ensure that barriers are identified and addressed so every learner can access a rich and ambitious curriculum.
Our approach is built on co-production. We work in partnership with students, families, teachers and professionals to develop a shared understanding of each learner’s strengths, needs and aspirations. Through meaningful student voice, young people are actively involved in shaping their support, setting goals and making decisions about their future.
Using the graduated approach of assess, plan, do and review, we ensure that support is personalised, evidence-informed and responsive. We regularly evaluate the impact of our provision, ensuring that the support we provide leads to positive outcomes, meaningful progress, increased confidence and greater independence.
We recognise that successful transition is an important part of every young person’s journey. Whether joining The Bulmershe School, moving between year groups or preparing for life beyond school, we work closely with students, families and professionals to ensure transitions are carefully planned and supported.
Our commitment is that every student with SEND at The Bulmershe School will:
• Feel a strong sense of belonging and know they are valued members of our community.
• Be recognised for their strengths, achievements and individuality.
• Have their voice heard and their aspirations respected.
• Access high-quality teaching and support that enables them to make meaningful progress.
• Develop confidence, independence and the skills needed for their future.
• Be prepared, ambitious and confident about their next steps beyond school.
At The Bulmershe School, inclusion means every learner is known, every voice is heard and every student is empowered to achieve their potential.
SEND Policy and Information Report
If you wish to discuss anything SEND for a student at the Bulmershe School, please contact the OASIS team directly on the email below:
Oasisoffice@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk
Our team is led by:
Keeley Toms/SENDCo and Access Arrangements Assessor ktoms@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk
Christine Raoult/SEND Manager craoult@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk
We look forward to working with you to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your children.
#inclusionmatters
Our Provisions
At The Bulmershe School, our Learning Support Department is built around understanding and responding to the individual needs of every learner. As part of our commitment to inclusive practice, we offer a range of specialist provisions designed to provide the right support at the right time, while ensuring every student remains a valued member of our school community.
Our Learning Support offer includes three key provisions:
- Oasis - Main Stream Learning Support
- Beacon - Specialist Resource Base for Cognition and Learning
- Lighthouse - EBSA Specialist Support
Oasis Mainstream Learning Support
OASIS is our mainstream Learning Support provision and the hub for intervention, guidance and personalised support for students with SEND across The Bulmershe School. Working alongside students, families and staff, OASIS helps remove barriers to learning, promote independence and ensure students can access the opportunities available within our inclusive school community.
Beacon - Specialist Resource Base for Cognition and Learning
Opening in September 2026, BEACON is our Specialist Resource Base for students with cognition and learning needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and require specialist provision to support their learning and development.
Through a structured and personalised approach, BEACON provides specialist support that enables students to develop confidence, independence and the skills they need to thrive, while remaining connected to the wider life of The Bulmershe School.
Lighthouse - EBSA Specialist Support
LIGHTHOUSE provides specialist support for students experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or who are finding it difficult to access learning fully within the mainstream classroom environment.
Designed as a predictable, calm and supportive space, LIGHTHOUSE helps students rebuild confidence, develop emotional readiness for learning and take positive steps towards successful engagement with school. Through careful planning, strong relationships and personalised support, LIGHTHOUSE works alongside students, families and professionals to support successful reintegration and increased participation in learning.
Together, OASIS, BEACON and LIGHTHOUSE reflect our commitment to an inclusive approach where every student is known, every voice is heard and every learner is supported to reach their potential.
Our aim is always the same: to ensure every young person feels they belong, can access the opportunities available to them and is prepared with confidence for their future.
Talk to us Tuesdays
Because every conversation matters.
At The Bulmershe School, we know that the best outcomes for our students happen when home and school work together. Strong partnerships with families are central to ensuring that every young person feels supported, understood and able to thrive.
We know that families may have questions, want to share a concern, celebrate progress or simply talk things through. We believe those conversations matter and should always have a place.
That is why we offer Talk to Us Tuesdays - a weekly opportunity for parents and carers to meet with a member of our Learning Support Team.
Every Tuesday between 8:30am and 3:30pm, you are welcome to drop in for an informal and friendly conversation. Whether you would like advice, want to discuss your child’s support, share an update, celebrate a success or explore how we can work together, we are here to listen.
There is no need to book. Simply sign in at Reception and a member of our Learning Support Team will come and meet you.
By working together, sharing ideas and keeping communication open, we can ensure every student feels supported, confident and ready to thrive.
We look forward to welcoming you to Talk to Us Tuesdays and continuing to build strong partnerships with our families - because every conversation really does matter.
Our Communication Promise
Our Learning Support Team is here to listen, answer questions and provide guidance every step of the way. Whether you are seeking advice, sharing an update, discussing your child’s progress or celebrating their achievements, we are committed to making communication open, supportive and responsive.
You can contact us by email, telephone or in person. We aim to acknowledge all enquiries within one working day and, where further investigation or collaboration is needed, provide a full response within five working days.
If you would prefer to speak with us face to face, you are welcome to join us at Talk to Us Tuesdays, where parents and carers can drop in and meet with a member of our Learning Support Team.
By working in partnership with families, colleagues and external professionals, we can provide the personalised support each student needs to thrive.
If you have an urgent safeguarding or wellbeing concern, please contact the school office directly so that we can respond without delay.
Contact the Learning Support Team:
oasisoffice@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk
We look forward to working with you to support your child’s success.
Our Case Workers
We work closely with the local authorities in Wokingham and Reading to support effective collaboration and ensure that the needs of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) are met.
Our allocated SEN case practitioners for each borough are:
Wokingham Borough Council
Amy Walker
Email: Amy.walker@wokingham.gov.uk
Reading Borough Council
Poppi Dandi
Email: Poppi.dando@reading.gov.uk
Exam Access Arrangements
Exam Access Arrangements
Click here to learn about Exam Access Arrangements for students with SEND
Useful SEND Resources
Open to all autistic individuals or those with associated conditions. No diagnosis required. Connect with other autistic or neurodiverse adults or parents and carers at regular drop-in sessions. Fun activities for children and teenagers, social groups for adults and outings for the whole family. Practical help and advice navigating diagnosis, education, benefits, or day to day life; via phone, email, or face-to-face meetings.
ASSIST (Autism Spectrum Service for Information Support and Training).
ASSIST offer targeted help for Wokingham Borough families with a child or young person (up to 18) with a diagnosis of autism, or on the pathway for an autism assessment. Contact the team for information, advice, guidance and signposting in relation to autism. Anyone who has an interest in autism or feels that the strategies shared might be useful is welcome to attend an ASSIST autism focused workshop
Charity, set up to help other parents/carers navigate the world of SEND empowering families whose children/young people are neurodivergent and/or have special needs and/or disabilities including early life trauma.
Activities and groups where children with learning disabilities and/or autism have the opportunity to feel included, empowered and amazing!
- Activities where siblings can feel supported and have the chance to have fun.
- Helping adults with learning disabilities and/or autism learn new skills, become more independent and build self-esteem in a supportive environment.
- A community made of PINC staff and volunteers – all with first-hand experience as Carers offering support, advice, empathy and respite to fellow carers.
the independent parent carer forum for the Borough. It was set up to ensure that the families and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities between 0-25 years of age in the Wokingham Borough, can have a voice and participate fully in the development of services.
The SEND Local Offer webpages tell you about local support for children and young people aged 0 to 25, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Sign up to the SEND Local Offer newsletter for half-termly updates.
A partnership of three commissioned local charities: Age UK Berkshire, Berkshire Youth and Promise Inclusion. Offering information, advice, and support to people throughout Wokingham who are caring for a child or adult family member, partner or friend.