ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores in more detail about Learning Support Unit (LSU) programmes. It provides an overview of the LSU initiative and the thinking behind the DfES model are frequently requested, which seems to indicate that these may have been missed by many practitioners involved in delivering the LSU initiative. When LEAs were invited to bid for funding for LSUs from Excellence in Cities the guidelines indicated the desired outcomes of an LSU initiative, and included: evidence of improvements, likely to be long lasting, that have been made at a whole school systems' level. Substantial and potentially long-lasting improvements in behaviour and attainment of individual pupils supported by the project. And improvements that are likely to be long lasting in staff approaches to pupil behaviour and assessment processes and procedures, for example working with parents.
