At Kirkshaws Primary we are committed to Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).
Class teachers are responsible for teaching all children in their class, but where a specific difficulty is identified, additional support will be sought first within the school. If the child requires further support, assistance may be requested from agencies within the education or health services.
In addition, a child may receive support on a multiagency basis, where the child’s needs are identified as complex or requiring support and planning from a range of services lasting for more than one year. Other agencies can advise school staff and parents, provide appropriate materials or teach the child directly.
Should a child experience a difficulty, parents and carers will be informed of any support to be given to their child and you will be invited to contact the school to discuss progress and next steps in learning.
Our school has excellent relationships with outside agencies and regular meetings are held to discuss the progress and support of individual pupils.
Looked After Children (LAC) i.e. those 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. Mrs Nicolson and Mr Sharp will coordinate arrangements for such children.
Requiring Additional Support can also apply to learners who find the general level of the curriculum in the classroom too easy. Pupils who are working beyond the level of peers and class members will also be provided with an individual, appropriately challenging programme. This would usually be met within Level 1 planning – see below.
Parents and pupils are an essential part of the assessment, planning and review processes and your views will be actively sought.
At Kirkshaws we work within NLC Education and Families GIRFEC Framework.
Planning
GIRFMe plans enable staff to plan effectively for children and young people with Additional Support Needs. These plans are drawn up with the views of the learner at the core of any decisions made. Should your child require such a plan at any stage of their time here at Kirkshaws, you will be fully involved in the planning and evaluation process.
Some children and young people may require significant support from education and at least one other agency, such as health, social work and / or voluntary agencies to help them meet their learning targets. Where this support requires a high level of co-ordination the opening of a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) may be considered. A CSP may be initiated by the school or another agency. Parents and young people can, if they wish, request that a CSP be considered and would be involved in the process. Parents will receive letters from the Education Authority throughout the CSP process. Parents and young people will be invited to take part in multi-agency meetings and their views will be recorded in the plan.
For pupils with English as an additional language, support may also available, based on assessed needs.
