The Learning Zone
The Learning Zone (ALN Unit) in Lourdes, established in 2012, supports pupils with Additional Support Needs. The decision to place pupils in the Learning Zone is made by the City Inclusion Group, a group made up of professionals including psychologist, teachers and education area inclusion managers. Pupils are allocated a place due to a learning disability and/or a global learning need. Pupils may have a formal diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, or oral dyspraxia.
All pupils will have a Wellbeing Assessment Plan (WAP) which highlights their learning profile and sets relevant targets which are then monitored and evaluated throughout the year. Parents are invited into school to discuss WAPS at a yearly review meeting. Individual pupils may require additional reviews according to their needs. Some pupils have a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP). This is a legal document which coordinates multi-agency support for young people to ensure their needs are being met.
Lourdes Secondary School has a very inclusive approach to our young people with additional learning needs. Senior pupils volunteer to work with our young people and support them in class and at break times helping others understand the challenges some of our pupils face and building positive relationships across the school community.
- Pupils enjoy lessons where the activities are appropriately paced, well resourced, and challenging to ensure they make good progress in each curricular area.
- Pupils are supported in small class settings for core skills; Literacy, Numeracy and any other areas where a pupil faces a personal barrier to learning.
- Learning Zone staff accompany pupils to mainstream classes to support them to engage with learning experiences in a larger class setting.
- Pupils are encouraged to become independent and prepared for life by slowly decreasing support as appropriate.
- Bespoke learning experiences are planned across the curricular areas including Social Communication, Enterprise, Horticulture and Careers
- Senior pupils are supported to engage with the college school link program as part of their timetabled subjects.
- Pupils participate fully in the life of the school community.
- Support with emotional and social situations throughout the school day.
- Out of school activities to help build social skills.
- SQA exam support.
- Homework support and after school support Monday and Wednesday.
- Partnership work with Educational Psychologist, SEN ICT Support, Speech & Language Therapy, School Nurse, Glasgow Dyslexia support Service, A.R.C (autism Resource Centre), Occupational Therapy, Social Work and other relevant agencies.
