Learning Support The Learning Support Department had a very successful year, despite the interruption from COVID-19. Over –75 students benefited from support in a variety of individual and class-based support programmes and 14 professionals associated within the team. The team worked closely with class teachers to ensure the students in the programmes obtained the necessary skills and knowledge to close deficits and to reach their potential. Intervention programmes were implemented to meet the specific needs of students on the register. The specialist services of professionals were beneficial to the students, and their input very much valued. The diversity of needs is varied. Students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, behavioural needs, emotional and social communication disorders deserve to be understood and have their needs catered for. Students were placed in programmes to support their learning. Programmes included Literacy, Reading, Spelling, Writing, Numeracy, Social and Emotional, and Behavioural Development. Resources used were selected because of their strong research-based credentials and engagement with the students. Further decodable books were purchased to add to the Literacy resources. Intervention programmes addressed academic remediation, self-management, social skills, and strategies to cope with anxiety and stress.
Communication between learning support staff, private tutors, specialists, and parents has been well co-ordinated enabling the effective delivery of programmes. Learning Support worked collaboratively during the year with Educational Psychologists, Special Education Services, Department of Health, Hearing Impaired Association, Speech Language Therapists, Specific Learning Difference Teachers, parents, and the College counsellors to identify individual student needs, and to ensure learning goals and outcomes were the most appropriate for everyone. We appreciated the contribution of the College counsellors and the support they provided to our students. It was a highlight to have co-facilitated the Travellers programme, with Kate Scott and Heather Wilson. The Year 8 group continued meeting after the programme was completed, appreciating the ongoing support. The summary comments from students, regarding the value of the ongoing support and sharing in life’s challenges, was rewarding. Head of Learning Support regularly attended the Pastoral Care meetings with the aim of strengthening and promoting the emotional well-being of the students. The services of Socially Speaking and specialist, Dawn Wilson, continued to support students with social communication requirements and assist students to develop self-regulation and self-management skills. The Buddy Zone Classes were a successful new addition in Term 3.
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