Special Education Needs & Inclusion
Pupils with identified special educational needs (for example, specific learning difficulty; emotional and behavioural difficulties; physical disabilities; sensory impairments; speech and language difficulties; medical conditions) receive additional support and attention, as their specific need dictates.
Our SENco Dr Mills and Assistant SENco Mrs Buchanan as well as our Classroom Assistants, work closely with Pastoral Leaders and other senior staff to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to meet the needs of these young people. They also liaise with parents and external agencies such as Educational Psychologists and Educational Welfare Officers.
Bangor Grammar Schools facilities are fully DDA compliant in order to provide full access for people with physical disabilities. Classroom Assistants are provided, where necessary, to give maximum support to individual pupils with particular needs.
Pupils with identified Special Educational Needs are supported through the school curriculum, where necessary and practically possible, in order that they can fulfil their potential.
VISION
‘Students with special educational needs in Bangor Grammar School will feel included as individuals within the school community. Their voices will be listened to, their progress monitored, their needs supported, and their talents nurtured by trained and motivated teaching and non-teaching staff. ‘
PROVISION
The Learning Support Department aims to support students with special educational needs in such a way that they will develop into independent young adults capable of coping with life beyond school.
The department consists of a SENCo, Assistant SENCo and a team of classroom assistants. The SENCo and Assistant SENCo are qualified specialist assessors and can complete the testing required to provide evidence for access arrangements in external KS4/5 examinations.
Learning Support can take a variety of formats including in-class support, small group intervention (literacy), one on one sessions with a classroom assistant and subject specific support clubs.
The dedicated learning support room is available for support sessions, parent meetings and the well-loved lunchtime COZ club (chill-out zone). The room is well resourced with a set of 30 Chromebooks, a range of board games, UNO, chess, jigsaws, and Lego.
The SENCo has developed close links with external agencies including the Careers Service and the Education Authority support services (special education, transition service, educational psychology, sensory service, AAIS, literacy support, behaviour support).
EXAMINATION ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS
The Joint Council of Qualification (JCQ) regulations are followed for the determination of examination access arrangements in the post-primary setting.
Links
Education authority leaflets for parents