Page 14 - Prospectus Sept 2026

INDIVIDUALISED LEARNING NEEDS

All pupils are individual and to some extent, all have individual needs. Through the streaming of classes, we
aim to ensure each pupil is provided with the education suited to his/her needs and that pupils are
challenged and stretched to achieve the best of which they are capable.

Some pupils face greater challenges than others in their learning. Care is taken to ensure various needs are
met as far as is possible. In Year 8, pupils with special difficulties are identified and they are placed in
groupings commensurate with their need, for example, a Maths stream and a Literacy stream based subjects
such as English, History, Geography and Religious Education. Practical classes are mixed ability. This
approach means pupils with educational needs get opportunity to fully interact and as a result continue
developing skills such as teamwork, working independently and self-management, all of which support
personal learning. Those with Statements of Special Educational Need allocated by the Education Authority
may receive extra support through the Education Authority which might include: Learning Support
Assistance for individual pupils, or groups of pupils within the classroom or extra hours of specialist teaching
in key areas. All pupils with special educational needs participate fully in other general and practical subjects
and are fully involved in the wider life of the school.

Mr Gorman (Junior School SENCo) and Mr Parker (Senior School SENCo) will liaise with parents, pupils and
staff to ensure Personal Learning Plans are tailored to include specific needs, strategies to support learning
and teaching and termly targets to drive progress. The School Care Team meet regularly to share this
information and monitor individual well-being.

Pupils with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties receive
support through the school guidance facility and a range of
strategies such as Art Therapy, Anger Management or Behaviour
Support. All pupils who enter the college requiring additional help
of any kind are supported to progress to the best of their ability and
many have gone on to gain excellent grades in public examinations.

Many students with special needs are entitled to Access
Arrangements in examinations. The SENCo is fully accredited to put
such arrangements in place as necessary.

CROSS-CURRICULAR

SKILLS

The key skills use of Mathematics,
Communication and ICT are
co-ordinated by specialist staff, who
support all subject departments in
the transfer of these skills within
each subject area and seek to
promote consistency across the
school. Pupils are also encouraged
to work interactively as well as to
develop independence in their
learning. All subject areas deliver
these skills and progress is
continuously assessed and reported
to parents.

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