At some point in their education, many children face challenges that make learning difficult. Whether it’s struggling with reading fluency, grasping mathematical concepts, or managing focus in class, these hurdles can feel overwhelming. Learning support exists to bridge these gaps—helping students overcome obstacles, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
Despite the benefits, some parents worry that needing learning support means their child is incapable or falling behind permanently. This is not true. Learning support is not a label—it’s a tool. It gives students the individualised attention they need to strengthen their skills, whether through short-term intervention or ongoing support.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Learning Support: Who Needs It?
Students come to learning support with a wide range of needs. Some require short-term interventions, while others benefit from ongoing support.
- Short-Term Support: Targeted Help for Specific Challenges
Short-term learning support is designed to address specific skills a student is struggling with. This type of support usually lasts a few weeks to a few months, with focused sessions to build competence in one area.
✅ Example: A Year 3 student struggles with phonics and reading fluency. With three months of structured phonics intervention (meeting twice a week), their reading speed improves by 40 words per minute, and they gain the confidence to read independently in class.
✅ Example: A Year 7 student has difficulty with long division. After eight weeks of small-group maths intervention, they achieve a 20% improvement on their assessments and no longer need extra help.
- Long-Term Support: Consistent Help for Ongoing Needs
Some students need continuous support due to learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, or processing disorders. With the right accommodations, these students can excel academically.
✅ Example: A Year 5 student with dyslexia receives weekly reading support throughout primary school. With structured literacy instruction, their reading comprehension grows from the 20th percentile in Year 3 to the 60th percentile in Year 6.
✅ Example: A Year 9 student with ADHD struggles with time management. Through learning support coaching, they learn organisation strategies, leading to a 30% improvement in assignment completion rates over the term.
Learning support is about building strengths, not focusing on weaknesses. With the right guidance, students can develop strategies that help them succeed independently.
What Does Learning Support Look Like?
Effective learning support uses evidence-based methods tailored to each student’s needs. At Grace, support may include:
📌 Small-group instruction – Students work in groups of 2-5 peers for targeted skill-building.
📌 One-on-one tutoring – Individualised sessions focus on reading, maths, or study strategies.
📌 Classroom accommodations – Simple adjustments (like extra time on tests or audiobooks) help students thrive.
📌 Assistive technology – Tools like speech-to-text software or maths apps provide additional support.
📌 Executive function coaching – Students learn time management, note-taking, and organisation.
Even students without diagnosed learning differences benefit from study strategies and structured support. Learning support is for any student who needs a boost.
Breaking the Stigma: Learning Support is for Success
Many successful people, including Albert Einstein, Richard Branson, and Agatha Christie, struggled with learning challenges. With the right support, students can excel in school and beyond.
Instead of seeing learning support as a last resort, we should view it as a proactive step. If a child needed glasses to see the board, we wouldn’t hesitate to provide them. Learning support is no different—it’s simply another tool for success.
At Grace, we believe every child can succeed with the right support. If you have concerns about your child’s learning, our support team is here to help. Let’s work together to ensure every student has the tools they need to thrive.
