Mission Statement
Sancta Maria College is a voluntary Catholic secondary school under the trusteeship of CEIST whose core values are inclusive of the Mercy philosophy of education.
We welcome, care for and support all within the school community through the promotion of
- Respect
- Being just & responsible
- Quality teaching and learning
- An inclusive community
- Life-long learning
Mercy Philosophy of Education
Inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley, Mercy Education is committed to holistic development and to the achievement of the full potential of each student, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalized.
CEIST is committed to on-going whole-school development in collaboration and partnership with the Board of Management, staff, parents and the wider community.
Operating Context
A Board of Management operates Sancta Maria College within the following guidelines:
- In the context of, and within the parameters of the Department of Education & Skills [D.E.S] and its regulations and programmes.
- Within the rights of the trustees as set out in the Education Act.
- Following the religious and educational policies of CEIST.
- Within the funding and resources available.
This policy is drafted in the context of:
- DES Circular Letters
- The guidelines published by the NCSE
- The Guidelines on the Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools (NEPS).
- The guidelines published by the Special Educational Needs Support Service (SESS)
Rationale
Every young person, including those with special needs, has the right to share with his/her peers as complete an educational experience as possible.
Pupils with special educational needs include all those whose disabilities and /or circumstances prevent or hinder them from benefiting adequately from the education which is normally provided for pupils of the same age, or for whom the education which can generally be provided in the ordinary classroom is not sufficiently challenging. Such pupils have special educational needs which will require special educational provisions to be made for them.
Definition:
Special Educational Needs are defined as: The educational needs of students who have a disability and the educational needs of the exceptionally able student.
Goals
- Compliance with relevant legislation: Education Act 1998; Equal Status Act 2000; Education (Welfare Act) 2000. Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004.
- Equality of access to and participation in the school
- Parental choice in relation to enrolment
- Inclusivity
- Compliance with Admissions Policy
Transferring to Sancta Maria College
Parents will be requested to provide information on special learning needs on the enrolment form. If psychological reports and any other relevant professional reports are available parents should provide a copy to the school.
The SEN team through visits to the primary schools and meeting with parents of students will help and advise with regard to subject options.
Parents will meet with the Principal/Deputy Principal at enrolment of students.
Open evenings allow parents and prospective students to visit the school, acquire information and meet the staff.
Procedures
The Board of Management will take steps at an early stage to identify children with special needs who may be applying for admission to Sancta Maria College.
The Board will request a copy of the student’s medical/psychological report/Individual Education Plan, if available.
The Board may request immediate assessment in order to assist in establishing the educational and training needs of the student relevant to his or her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required. The Principal will assess the needs of the student, having consulted with the relevant psychological, parental, educational and/or medical advisers.
Having gathered all the relevant information, the school will assess how needs can be met.
If further resources are required, the Department of Education and Skills will be requested to provide the resources, e.g. Special Needs Assistant/Teacher, specialised equipment, furniture, transport etc.
The Principal, Special Needs Co-ordinator, or designated teacher, shall meet the parents to discuss the student’s needs and the school’s capability of meeting those needs.
There may be individual cases where the Board of Management, having examined all the options open to it, may be forced to decline an application on behalf of a student with a disability. This would arise where the Board would be unable, due to the unavailability of resources, to discharge its statutory obligation to provide an education appropriate to the students’ needs. The Board may alternatively postpone the attendance of the student until such time as resources are in place.
Curriculum and Planning
Students with a physical disability who have learning difficulties arising from the disability may need resource teaching. Others may need assistive technology only. Students with severe physical disabilities may have needs for care support from a special needs assistant.
It is the responsibility of mainstream teachers to make themselves aware of all students with Special Educational Needs that they teach. To aid in this all teachers will be given a detailed list of all those students in the school who require resource or learning support. Also the SEN team will disseminate information to teachers as appropriate on an on-going basis.
It is the policy of Sancta Maria College, to include all students in mainstream classes where appropriate and when it is in their best interest to do so. Where withdrawal is necessary students are removed from Irish (where a student has a certificate of exemption) and non- exam classes where a student is studying Irish. Students who need extra support in English and Maths receive team teaching support in some classes.
In consultation with the Guidance Teacher, Mainstream Teacher, SEN Teacher, Parents and Principal a reduced timetable or alternative programmes (L2LP’s) may be recommended and arranged to facilitate learning support.
All students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities.
In setting homework for students with special educational needs, teachers are encouraged to balance the right of students to share fully in the work of the class, including homework tasks, with their individual learning needs. These needs may include consolidation and reinforcement of specific skills. For some students, the continuing involvement of parents is very valuable. Subject teachers will collaborate where possible with the Learning Support team to ensure class tasks are manageable, and individual skill practice can be incorporated without overloading the students. In general, and in so far as is appropriate, the curriculum will be that of the Department of Education and Skills and at a level deemed appropriate
In general, and in so far as is appropriate, the curriculum will be that of the Department of Education and Skills and at a level deemed appropriate
Performance Criteria
- The class teacher will assess performance at regular intervals through the medium of written and oral examination. Standard Forms of testing, e.g. Drumcondra, Level iv, CAT 4 etc will be used in order to assess percentile and other rankings
- Reports are issued three times a year.
- Each year group has an annual parent- teacher meeting.
- There is an information evening for those progressing to Transition Year and Fifth Year.
- Individual progress reports are issued when the need arises.
- The Year head checks the academic progress of all our students on a regular basis.
- The Class Teacher will liaise with the Special Needs Co-ordinator and the Principal to identify areas of support for selected students.
- A member of the SEN team will liaise with parents regularly by the most appropriate method, e.g. telephone, email, text etc.
Bullying and Harrasment
Any issues or allegations related to Bullying are dealt with under our Anti-Bullying policy. (Refer to Anti-Bullying Policy)
Roles and Responsibilities
The Board of Management will ensure that the policy is developed, approved, implemented and reviewed.
The Principal, Special Needs Co-ordinator, Teachers, Guidance Counsellor, Tutors, Year Heads and other key staff will implement the policy and evaluate progress.
The Principal will, if necessary, seek the support of NEPS and/or other appropriate bodies.
Irish Exemptions
In line with our Irish Exemption Policy and Department of Education & Skills Circular 10/94 parents of students who meet the criteria for an Irish Exemption must complete an application form and apply to the School Principal for the Irish Exemption.
Reasonable Accommodations
An application is made to the Department of Education and Skills with regard to accommodations for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate exams.
Certification
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement, Leaving Certificate, L.C.V.P
Guidance
Under the School Guidance Plan all students including those with special educational needs are advised on relevant courses that may suit their individual needs.
Review of Policy
This policy will be subject to review at regular intervals
This Policy will be reviewed and revised in the light of changing circumstances by all the relevant partners in the school community. The effectiveness of the Policy will be judged in the light of the academic, intellectual and social development of the student with special educational needs through the continuous monitoring of student progress.
Review
This code was ratified by the Board of Management on 6th October 2014. It was proposed by Ms. Norah Gavin and seconded by Mr. Tom O’Flynn. This code will be reviewed and revised in the light of changing circumstances.
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