Special Educational Needs & Learning Support

The term 'special educational needs' has a legal definition, referring to children who have learning difficulties ordisabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. Many children will have special needs of some kind at some time during their education.

St Colman's recognises that Special Educational Needs cover a wide spectrum of type, duration and severity. We aim to create and maintain a positive learning environment for every child. To ensure this each child has access to a full, broad and balanced curriculum and equal opportunities to achieve. All students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are identified and assessed as early as possible and support provided throughout their years in school. Every child in St Colman’s has the opportunity to develop an appropriate sense of self-esteem and we employ a range of appropriate strategies/resources for teaching, learning and assessment. We foster a good working relationship between parents, school and outside agencies ensuring that adequate provision is made for all children. Learning Support in St Colman's involves all staff and is led by the SEND Coordinator - Ms B Walsh.

Provision for children includes:

• Regular training for all staff
• In class support
• Classroom Assistants
• Computer access
• Differentiated teaching/resources/assessments
• Differentiated curriculum
• Outside agencies
• Exam allowances
• Additional literacy/numeracy
• Individual Education Plans