ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
It is the policy of Blackwater Community School that all students with Additional Educational Needs will receive appropriate support to enable them to access effective learning opportunities suited to their needs and ability as set down in the Additional Educational Needs Whole-School Inclusion Policy and the Admissions Policy (in the Policies Section). Our AEN programme reflects our commitment to the ideal of an inclusive learning community.
The Additional Educational Needs umbrella comprises many areas of need, amongst them;
• Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD)
• General Learning Difficulties (GLD)
• Physical Difficulties
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Speech and Language Difficulties
• Emotional, Behavioural Difficulties (EBD)
• Students identified as Gifted and Talented (G&T)
Procedures for identifying students with AEN:
The Deputy Principal and the Additional Educational Needs Coordinator visit the Primary Schools in the catchment area every Spring. They oversee the confidential transfer of information (both oral and documented) to ensure a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary for the AEN students. A Student Transfer form is sent to each Primary School at this time and all information regarding AEN students is collated and sent to Blackwater Community School, with the permission of the individual’s Parents/Guardian’s. With regard to Psychological Assessments, Medical Reports, etc. parents are requested to submit a copy of same to the school before the summer to facilitate any relevant applications to the Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO). They are also requested to send a copy of an official Irish Exemption if such exists, for their child. In February there is an AEN information presentation for Parents/ Guardians of incoming First Year students which aims to explain how AEN operates for Students in Blackwater Community School.
We strongly believe in good communication between parents or guardians and together as a whole school community we will endeavour to do what’s best for your child.
Outline of Learning Support model BCS
• The withdrawal method of support is in place against the Irish times on the timetable.
• Those who possess an Irish exemption, in consultation with parents, students’ and staff, may withdraw from class for Learning Support or remain in class.
• Students who are identified from the above process, who do not possess an Irish exemption, are eligible to reduce in appropriate subject areas in consultation with subject teachers/year head/Managment.
• There is a certain amount of flexibility involved in the withdrawal of AEN students due firstly to the needs of the individual and secondly, the flexibility within the timetable and staffing considerations.
• Team-teaching is another model of support in BCS and this provides support for all students.
• The Level 2 Learning Programme has been designed for students with a high moderate to low mild general learning disability. A Level 2 Learning Programme (L2LP) is made up of: Priority Learning Units and Short Courses.
Gifted and Talented students
Gifted and Talented students at BCS are accommodated in a variety of ways, by providing the necessary interventions and supports as and where appropriate, to support them and encourage the development of their talents. These include a combination of differentiated learning, extra tuition, provision of extra-curricular clubs and study outside of school hours and term time.
BCS Gifted and Talented Committee work closely with students identified as gifted and talented and endeavour to provide support and guidance in order for them to achieve their full potential:
• Extra after school tuition
• Talented youth with careers office- DCU
• Free study availed of by exam students- Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Mid-term
• Lunchtime activity clubs; Lego robotics, Lego, chess, art, computer coding etc
• Student of the Year, End of Year Awards
• Reinforcement of student performance with Scholarship and Gold Medal Award funding
• Establishment of a support network for our students which includes 1-1 career guidance meetings, individual mentoring programme with teachers, opportunities to visit prospective colleges and universities, careers information seminars in school. This network supports the needs of our exceptionally gifted and talented students.
Blackwater Community School has assembled a collection of links to AEN Resources for Parents.
