ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS
Balmalloch Primary School complies with Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 amended by the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009. North Lanarkshire Council’s policy is contained within “Support for Learning Policy into Practice 2”, a copy of which is available in the school. The school has a Support for Learning Policy, available from the school on request, which is consistent with North Lanarkshire Council guidelines.
All pupils learn at a different rate and some pupils experience difficulty with a particular area of the curriculum, whilst others perform beyond the expected level for their stage. In all areas of the Curriculum, class teachers try to ensure that each child is working at their own level, with materials for their needs. Classes are therefore organised mainly in groups, with provision made for individuals when pupils require additional help or extension work.
Mr. J. Paterson and Miss. R. McCarthy are responsible for the management of support for learning within our school and nursery and are the first point of contact for class teachers if they are concerned about a child’s learning. They offer support in many ways e.g. co-operative teaching within the classroom, drawing up ‘Getting it Right For Me Plans’ for individual pupils, providing material and withdrawing pupils from the classroom to allow them more intensive one-to-one teaching.
Any pupil with severe learning or behavioural problems may be referred to Psychological Services, who provide more specialised help and decide what action is required to allow the child to gain maximum benefit. Parents would always be consulted before any such referral took place. We have supported children with physical disability, sensory impairment, moderate learning difficulties and English as an additional language. Looked After Children i.e. children who are cared for directly or whose care is supervised by the local authority are deemed to have Additional Support Needs unless assessment determines otherwise.
Through a process of staged intervention and, where appropriate in conjunction with other appropriate agencies the school will work to support pupils and their families with the framework of the Additional Support for Learning policies of the authority and the school.
Stages of Intervention
Level 1 – Universal
Intervention builds on assessment by class or subject teacher. Further changes made to manage needs. Other staff within school become involved. A support plan may be required.
Level 2 – Additional
Further assessment and intervention required. Advice and recommendations sought from specialist education services outwith school. Support plans, Child’s Plan, Individual Education Plans, other plans of protocols.
Level 3 – Universal
Multi-agency assessment. Input from specialist agency and / or education services out with school. Child’s Plan, Individual Education Plans / Coordinated Support Plans and specialist support in schools
