Support Policy for Special Needs Pupils

Support Policy for 
                                          Special Needs Pupils                                               

Guiding Principles:

• All our children have a right to an education, which is appropriate to them as individuals. We want all our children to feel that they are a valued part of our school community
• The resources provided to support pupils with special educational needs, will be used to facilitate the development of a truly inclusive school
• Supports provided to pupils with special educational needs will be based on identified needs and be informed by regular reviews of progress (in consultation with parents and pupils) as outlined in the Continuum of Support Guidelines
• The class teacher has primary responsibility for the progress and care of all pupils in the classroom, including pupils with special educational needs
• Pupils with the greatest levels of need will have access to the greatest level of support, and whenever possible, these pupils will be supported by teachers with relevant expertise who can provide continuity of support
• As far as possible, therefore, it is our aim to minimize the difficulties that children may experience. We aim to achieve this by adopting three principles that are essential to developing a more inclusive curriculum.

Inclusion:

We are fully committed to the principle of inclusion and the good practice which makes it possible. Our policy as set out in this document, aims to enable children with SEN, traveller children and children whose first language is not English, to become fully integrated members of our school community. This will be achieved by careful consideration of the needs of each child and by either modifying activities or by providing support that will help the child to participate in them.

Three principles for inclusion

 Setting Suitable Learning Challenges

We aim to give every child the opportunity to experience success in learning and to achieve as high a standard as possible. In order to do this, Hollypark BNS will use the ‘Continuum of Support Process’ as outlined in Table 1 below to identify educational needs. Identification of educational needs is central to setting suitable learning challenges for our SEN pupils. Using the continuum of support framework, our school will identify pupils’ educational needs to include academic, social and emotional needs, as well as needs associated with physical, sensory, language and communication difficulties. It is important to look at a pupil’s needs in context, and to use our resources to support this (for example, learning environment checklist, teacher checklist for whole class structures and supports).

Meeting Children’s Diverse Learning Needs

We consider the different backgrounds, experiences, interests and strengths that influence the way in which children learn when we plan our approaches to teaching and learning. In planning our support, the ‘Planning Template’ outlining the 6-point action plan below will be utilised.

Planning Template to Guide the Allocation of Additional Teaching Supports for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (Primary Guidelines, P19-20)

 

Overcoming Potential Barriers to Learning and Assessment for Individuals and Groups of Children

We recognise that a minority of children will have learning and assessment requirements that will create barriers to learning if we do not address them through special arrangements. Our SEN policy envisages a whole school approach that takes into account the roles of the Board of Management, the principal, class teacher, special education teacher and the parents.

In attempting to achieve the above objectives the BoM, principal and staff will take all reasonable steps within the limits of the resources available to fulfil the requirements outlined in this policy document.

Board of Management

The BoM will fulfil its statutory duties towards pupils with special educational needs. It will ensure that the provision required is an integral part of the school development plan. Members will be knowledgeable about the school’s SEN provision – funding, equipment and personnel. The BoM:

• Oversees the development, implementation and review of school policy on support for children with extra needs
• Provides adequate class accommodation and teaching resources
• Provides a secure facility for storage of records.

Principal 

The principal has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of provision. He/she will work closely with the SEN co-ordinator and will keep the BoM informed about the working of this policy. It will be the role of the principal in collaboration with the SEN co-ordinator to:

• Develop inclusive whole-school policies and monitor their implementation
• Assign staff strategically to teaching roles, including special education roles
• Co-ordinate teachers’ work to ensure continuity of provision for all pupils
• Ensure that whole-school procedures are established to facilitate the effective involvement of parents, pupils and external professionals/agencies
• Ensure that effective systems are implemented to identify pupils’ needs, and that progress is monitored methodically
• Facilitate the continuing professional development of all teachers in relation to education of pupils with special educational needs, and ensure that all school staff (class teachers, special education teachers and special needs assistants) are clear regarding their roles and responsibilities in this area
  • Liaises with SENO regarding all aspects of special education provision
  • Liaises with external agencies such as NEPS to arrange assessments of children with SEN
  • Arranges for exemptions from the study of Irish for pupils for whom this is appropriate.

Special Needs Co-ordinator 

The Special Needs Co-ordinator will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the SEN policy
• Co-ordinating provision for children with special educational needs
• Organising the timetable for support teaching
• Liaising with and advising fellow teachers and contributing to in-service training of staff
• Liaising with and advising SNAs with regard to supporting children with special needs
• Liaising with parents of children with special needs
• Monitoring and evaluating SEN provision
• Keeping a list of pupils who are receiving supplementary teaching
• Facilitating planning for class teacher with support teacher
• Supporting the implementation of a tracking system at a whole-school level to monitor the progress of children who avail of additional support
• Keeping teachers informed about the external assessment services that are available and the procedures to be followed for initial referrals
• Advising parents on procedures for availing of special needs services
• Selecting children for psychological assessment in consultation with class and support teachers and with (NEPS)
• Storing confidential information (Psychological Assessment Reports etc.) regarding SEN children and shares same with principal, class teachers, support teachers, SNAs, other agencies where appropriate.
• Participating in and or oversees the drafting of IEPs, IPLPs and classroom support plans
• Arranging for exemptions from the study of Irish for pupils for whom this is appropriate.

The Role of the Class Teacher 

Effective teaching and learning are critically important for all pupils, and especially for those with special educational needs. Meaningful inclusion implies that all pupils are taught in stimulating and supportive classroom environments where they are respected and valued. Mainstream class teachers have first-line responsibility for the education of all pupils in their classes. Accordingly, classroom teachers should ensure that they plan their lessons carefully to address the diverse needs within the classroom. This will include adapting their teaching approaches for some pupils whose individual progress, application, motivation, communication, behaviour or interaction with peers are causes for concern. This may require targeted interventions to develop relevant adaptive skills related to these needs. All mainstream class teachers will implement teaching approaches and methodologies that facilitate the meaningful inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. These include: 

• Co-operative teaching and learning within mainstream classrooms
• Collaborative problem-solving activities
• Heterogeneous group work
• Differentiation
• Interventions to promote social and emotional competence
• Embedding Information and communications technology (ICT) in teaching, learning and assessment

Every pupil needs to be taught a broad and balanced curriculum that is appropriate to his/her developmental level. Pupils’ levels of interest, attention, concentration and persistence should be gradually developed, extended and rewarded, using appropriate teaching strategies. To cater for the range of learning needs in any class, mainstream class teachers will regularly need to differentiate their lessons. This can be achieved by: 

• Varying the level, structure, mode of instruction and pace of lessons to meet individual needs
• Adapting lessons to take account of pupils’ interests
• Matching tasks to pupils’ abilities and needs
• Adapting and utilising resources, including the use of technology
• Aspiring towards suitably challenging learning outcomes and assessing accordingly 

Teachers can make lessons accessible to a broad range of pupils using a variety of appropriate teaching approaches and methodologies, including active learning, small-group tuition, individual teaching, and scaffolded instruction. This may also require environmental adaptations to promote curricular access. 

The Role of the Special Education Teacher 

Special education teachers should be familiar with a wide range of teaching approaches, methodologies and resources to cater for particular learning styles and to meet a variety of needs. Teaching approaches will include a combination of team-teaching initiatives, co-operative teaching, early intervention and small group or individual support. Depending on the learning needs identified, a pupil with special educational needs may be supported at classroom level, or through mainstream classroom placement with additional teaching delivered through in-class or withdrawal support models.

Some pupils with more complex and enduring needs may require specific methodologies, teaching approaches and/or learning activities. Such interventions should be based on careful identification of strengths and needs, including multi-disciplinary assessment when necessary. 

The type of support offered depends on the child’s individual needs and takes the form of:

• curriculum support
• life and/or social skills training
• physical training/gross motor development
• speech training/communication and/or language development
• behaviour modification programmes
• assistance with sensory modulation
• development of anger management strategies
• a combination of some/all of the above

Special education teachers, in consultation with class teachers, should plan their interventions carefully to address pupils’ priority learning needs and to achieve the targets identified in the relevant continuum of support plan. Short-term planning should reflect the support plan targets and should break down the development of skills and content into small incremental steps to address each pupil’s specific needs on a weekly basis. Outcomes for pupils should be routinely assessed, recorded and used to review progress. These outcomes should also be used to inform the targets for the next phase of intervention.

In addition to consultation around the individual needs of their child, parents also value receiving good information on the nature and type of the special educational needs provision available in the school. Our school will consult with parents when developing and reviewing polices relating to the education of children with special educational needs. This helps to ensure that parents understand the school’s approaches and better enables them to support their children in transitioning through the school.

Parental Involvement

Good parental engagement is a critical factor in enhancing outcomes for pupils with special educational needs. Parental engagement is enhanced when parents are consulted in relation to their children’s needs and strengths, on the supports and strategies being developed to support their children, and when they are involved in regular reviews of progress. The Continuum of Support process and use of the Student Support File provide valuable opportunities to engage with parents and to build a collaborative approach to identifying and responding to the needs of pupils with special educational needs. There may also be opportunities for parents to work collaboratively with the school through initiatives such as School Library, Annual Book Fair,  School Tours and on our P.A. 

In addition to consultation around the individual needs of their child, parents also value receiving good information on the nature and type of the special educational needs provision available in the school. Our school consults with parents when developing and reviewing polices relating to the education of children with special educational needs. This helps to ensure that parents understand the school’s approaches and better enables them to support their children in transitioning through the school.

The Parents/Guardians of the pupils of Hollypark BNS can prepare for and support the work of the school by:

• Supervising, assisting with, showing interest in and signing homework.
• Reading and telling stories to their child/children.
• Listening to and giving supportive feedback on oral reading.
• Where their child is in receipt of supplementary teaching, implementing suggested home-based activities and discussing the outcomes with the child’s teachers.
• Signing and returning consent forms to the school regarding withdrawal for support teaching.
• Talking positively about school and schoolwork.
• Keeping the class teacher informed of any home factors which may be affecting their child’s progress.
• Participating in activities organised by the school that are designed to increase the involvement of parents in their children’s learning.
• Helping children to develop their organisational skills.
• Helping children to look after schoolbooks and other resources which are loaned to the children for use at home.
• Supporting programmes and initiatives implemented by the school.

Enrolment

The school aims to meet the needs of any child whom the parent wishes to register at the school if a place is available and the admission criteria are fulfilled. The Ed. For Persons with Disabilities Act 2004 states that ‘A child is entitled to attend the school which is most suited to his or her overall needs’.

Parents are required to notify the school of their child’s special needs in advance of enrolment. The Board of Management will request a copy of the child’s medical or psychological report. No child will be refused admission solely on the grounds that s/he has SEN except where the provision required is incompatible with that available in our school.

Special Facilities

Hollypark BNS has one Special Class for Autism which opened in September 2024. Maximum number of places available in AS Class = 6. Children must have a DMV-5 diagnosis of Autism and a recommendation for Special Class placement stated on a professional report. 

Resources 

Hollypark BNS is a well-resourced school, which constantly monitors and updates its resources. The school has a Sensory Room, Movement Room and An Outdoor Trim Trail for the use of pupils with SEN in Mainstream Classrooms. The school has plans in place for a new Sensory Garden and an Autism/SPD area in the yards during break times. I.T. provision is good and is updated regularly.

Whole School Strategies to Minimise Learning Difficulties 

Our strategies for preventing learning difficulties include:

1. Promotion of Literacy:

• Whole school promotion of Reading for Pleasure …. Record in journals, book reviews, prizes from the annual Book fair.
• SRA Comprehension Strategies
• Genre Writing
• Daily reading in senior infants
• Fun Book Reading in first and second classes
• Reading logs from 3^rd to 6th
• Print rich environment,
• Shared/paired reading,
• Story time, Library time, DEAR time, Book Week, Book Fair, Reading Buddies, Word games, class library, visiting authors,
• Access to Literacy apps on school iPad and at home 

2. Early Intervention

We believe it is very important to identify and assess children with special needs as early as possible so that effective interventions can be put in place. Screening tests are administered in Junior Infants during their second term in school. The M.I.S.T. (Middle Infants Screening Test) is administered to all pupils in Senior Infants during the second term of the school year.

Developing Listening Skills:

Promoting a classroom environment where children listen to others, do not interrupt the speaker and wait their turn; Circle time, Listening games/activities; Listening Programmes; Listening to music.

Observation and/or assessment:

Observation: Methods in use- personal checklists, record sheet for each child, Shared observation (2^nd opinion), listening to reading, General correction of homework.

Recording observation-Checklists, Personal records, reading records, paired reading, Teachers own observation.

Share concerns with: - Last year’s/ next year’s teacher, similar level teacher, parents, SET teacher, SEN co-ordinator

Stages of Assessment and Provision

Access to the school’s broad and balanced curriculum is achieved for most children by differentiation of class work by the class teacher. When a class teacher identifies a child with SEN the class teacher consults with the SEN coordinator and provides interventions that are ADDITIONAL TO or DIFFERENT FROM those provided as part of the school’s usual differentiated curriculum. The first line of responsibility for the progress of all pupils in the class lies with the class teacher.

Record of Differentiated Support in class

Register of Pupils with Special Educational Needs who are in receipt of interventions through the Continuum of Support Framework

Class teachers initially discuss their concerns with the child’s parents.

The triggers for this intervention could be:

• The child makes little or no progress even when teaching approaches are directed at an identified area of weakness
• The child shows signs of difficulty in developing literacy and numeracy skills, which result in poor attainment
• Persistent emotional or behavioural difficulties which do not respond to behaviour management techniques used by the school
• Has sensory or physical difficulties
• Has communication and/ or relationship difficulties

The class teacher completes a Stage One form and monitors the Record of Differentiated Support for half a term. If this strategy does not work then the teacher will continue to the next stage, School Action.

Teachers inform Parents that their child’s needs would be better served in a small group with a support teacher. Parents will need to sign their consent.

Stage Two

In cases where the Record of Differentiated Support indicates that progress has not been made, or if the results of tests (M.I.S.T., Drumcondra Primary Reading Test, Sigma T) and teacher observation indicate this to be the case, intervention in the form of a support teacher will be accessed. Again, class teachers will discuss their concerns with the child’s parents. The action taken will be as follows:

• The class teacher and support teacher will differentiate the curriculum in specific areas with achievable goals to be implemented by the class teacher and support teacher.
• If there are others in the class with similar difficulties in one or more of the specific areas, then a group educational plan will be implemented.
• These programmes will be reviewed and updated every term.
• While every effort will be made to allow the SEN group/individual to remain included in class, there may be a need to work part of the programme in a SEN room with the support teacher or class teacher. This withdrawal will be time limited and for specific purposes only (e.g. Reading recovery.)
• Where progress is such that the child is no longer giving cause for concern, the child will revert to the usual differentiated curriculum available to all children.

Stage Three 

The support or class teacher will perform diagnostic tests on these children (at School Action) usually at the beginning and end of the school year. These tests will include the DRA, Daniels & Diack Spelling Test and The Schonell Word recognition test, RAIN , Non-Reading Intelligence test etc.

When it has been identified that a child is still struggling and performing below the tenth percentile despite School Action the class teacher with the support teacher and SEN coordinators, in consultation with the child’s parents, may consider the following actions:

1. A psychological assessment will be arranged (see Education for Persons with Disability Act 2004)
2. Other outside agencies may need to be contacted, who will advise on a range of   provision including IEP targets and strategies.
3. The triggers for extra intervention could be that, despite receiving an individualised programme the child:

• Makes little or no progress over a long period of time
• Continues to work at Primary Curriculum levels substantially below that of children of a similar age
• Continues to have literacy and numeracy difficulties
• Has emotional or behavioural difficulties which substantially and regularly interfere with the child’s learning, or that of other children, despite an appropriate behaviour management programme and IEP
• Has sensory and/or physical needs, and requires additional specialist equipment or regular visits from an advisory service
• Has an ongoing communication or relationship difficulty that prevents social development, and act as a barrier to learning.

4. If it is felt by the psychologist that a child has care needs, a special needs assistant may be applied for.
5. In circumstances where a child uses specialised equipment, consultants will be required to demonstrate how the equipment is to be used to at least two SNAs and either the class or support teacher. The SEN co-ordinator should also be present.
6. The use of specialised yard equipment may also need to be demonstrated to these staff members. Courses will be provided on an ongoing basis to train staff in the relevant areas.

Individual Education Plan

Based on Psychologist’s report, tests, Record of Differentiation and School Action Plan the class teacher with the support teacher, SNA (if assigned), parents and representatives of outside agencies (if necessary) formulate an Individual Education Plan.

These IEPs, which employ a small – steps approach, feature significantly in the provision that we make in school. By breaking down the existing levels of attainment into finely graded targets, we ensure that the child experiences success. 

This plan includes:

• the nature and degree of the child’s abilities and skills
• the degree of the child’s special needs,
• the present level of performance,
• services to be provided,
• services for transition to 2^nd level school where appropriate,
• the goals, which the child is to achieve over a period of a half a year.

The strategies set out in the IEP will, as far as possible, be implemented in the normal classroom setting.

The management of the IEP strategies will be the responsibility of the class teacher, support teacher and the SEN coordinator.

REVIEW of IEPs

The SEN coordinator will ensure that the review is conducted at the end of three months (October, February, and May). The class teacher consults with the support teacher, the child (and SNA if appointed). They agree on the expected outcomes of the IEP. A draft copy is formulated and sent home to the child’s parents. The parents are invited to attend a meeting to discuss or make recommendations to the draft review if they so wish. Again, outside agencies may play a part in formulating the final copy. The review will be recorded on the IEP Review form. (Attached, Appendix 5).

Where progress is unsatisfactory it may be decided that the child continues to receive additional supports. Where progress is satisfactory, and where the child is consistently achieving targets over the stated time, a decision will be made to revert to School Action.

The review in May will be to formulate an IEP, which will be part of the plan for the next teacher in September. It will be carried out as outlined above.

IEPs for children moving to 2^nd level will be referred to at the consultation meetings with the 2nd level representative.

Complaints

If parents have a complaint about the Special Ed. provision made, then they should in the first instance make an appointment to speak to the SEN coordinator and then the principal.

The complaint will be investigated and dealt with as early as possible. If the matter is not resolved to the parents’ satisfaction, then the matter proceeds to the B.O.M. 

Monitoring and Reviewing

Pupils’ progress in relation to achieving their targets will be regularly and carefully monitored. This stage of the process is informed by effective measurement of baseline performance, including the use of criterion-referenced tests and other methods of assessment (for example, teacher-designed tests, checklists, samples of work, observation) that allow pupils to demonstrate their progress. This will lead to the establishment of specific targets to be achieved within a defined timeframe as outlined below. 

 Monitoring outcomes is part of a dynamic process of identification, target-setting, intervention and review, which in turn should lead to adjustments in support plans. The Student Support File provides schools with a useful resource to support and record this process. It includes a Support Review Record to guide teachers when monitoring progress and reviewing outcomes with parents and pupils. Such monitoring of progress, and subsequent adaptation of support plans, are key drivers of effective practice. 

 In addition to monitoring outcomes at the individual level, it is also important to review outcomes at group, class and whole-school level. This review will include some of the following measures: attainment, communication, independence, attendance, social inclusion and well-being (for example, sense of belonging and connectedness to school) for pupils with special educational needs. 

 The BoM will ensure that SEN provision is an integral part of the school development plan and will evaluate the effectiveness and success of this policy by monitoring:

• the standards obtained by children with special needs
• the number of children at each of the three stages: Differentiation within Class, School Action and Resource.
• The level and pattern of help (i.e. average time allocated and the balance of in-class and withdrawal support)
• Views of parents
• Visits from specialist teachers
• Staff views on in-service
• Children’s views

This policy will be reviewed every three years.

Appendix 1

A Continuum of Support

Developing a student support plan is the outcome of a problem-solving process, involving school staff, parent(s)/ guardian(s) and the student.  We start by identifying concern.  We gather information, we put together a plan and we review it. 

Student Support File, Log of Actions

To be completed by the Teacher(s)
For help, see ‘SEN, A Continuum of Support - Guidelines for Teachers’, BESD: A Continuum of Support – Guidelines for Teachers pp.71-74; A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools, Resource Pack for Teachers, pp. 51, 53, 54, 57.

To be completed by the teacher(s) as a review of the plan and as a guide for future actions.
For help, see ‘SEN: A Continuum of Support - Guidelines for Teachers’, ‘BESD: A Continuum of Support – Guidelines for Teachers’, ‘ A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools, Resource pack for Teachers’,  ‘Student Support Teams in Post-Primary Schools’.

*A consultation with a NEPS psychologist/ other professionals may contribute to this review

1. Appendix 2: Target-setting as part of the problem-solving-framework

Appendix 3:

This policy is subject to review following the issue of NCCA Guidelines or at least every 3 years.

Policy was drafted on December 2024 

Ratified by the Board of Management 
 

Chairperson, Board of Management 

To be completed by the teacher(s) as a review of the plan and as a guide for future actions.
For help, see ‘SEN: A Continuum of Support - Guidelines for Teachers’, ‘BESD: A Continuum of Support – Guidelines for Teachers’, ‘A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools’, ‘Resource pack for Teachers’,  ‘Student Support Teams in Post-Primary Schools’.

*A consultation with a NEPS psychologist/ other professionals may contribute to this review. 

Appendix 4

IEP Planning/Review Sheet

Name of Student: _________________________Class: ____________

Progress to Date/ Strengths:

(The nature and degree of the child’s abilities, skills and talents)

Areas for Improvement/Presenting Difficulties:

(The nature and degree of the child’s special educational needs and how those needs affect his/her progress)

(The present level of educational performance of the child)

Summary of Special Educational Needs:

(The special educational needs of the child)

Special Educational Provision:

(The special education and related support services to be provided to the child)

Further Information: