The Ursuline is an inclusive school, and our aim is to ensure that the needs of all students are met in a caring and supportive way. We want every student to be enabled to fulfil her potential socially by taking an active part in the life of the school community.
We welcome students of all levels, abilities and needs. We are supported by a growing Additional Educational Needs (AEN) Department, which provides students who are experiencing learning difficulties with the vital support they need to achieve their potential. In all cases, we aim to integrate and include all students fully in their education. We have a very supportive staff and work closely with all departments within the school to ensure a whole-school approach.
Liz Gaynor coordinates the AEN Department and liaises closely with parents to establish the needs of individual incoming students. Students with additional needs may receive support in a number of different ways, depending on the needs of the individual student. These supports may include SNA support, small group tuition and team teaching within the classroom. Students, parents and teachers then work hand in hand to formulate support plans that are suited to each student’s needs.
In the Ursuline, we do not arrange classes or students according to ability. Instead, all classes are of mixed ability. In March of 6th class, all students are screened using standardised assessments. The purpose of this screening is solely to ensure that any student who is in need of learning support does not slip through the net and receives the support she needs.
Students with an Irish exemption receive support when Irish is scheduled on their timetable. Each student is assigned an SET teacher, with interventions based on evidence-informed practice and the professional knowledge and experience of teachers. These interventions reflect the priority learning needs of our students, while also building on their strengths, needs and interests.
Support may include typing intervention programmes, vocabulary enhancement programmes, individual and group reading programmes, comprehension strategy development, and a public speaking programme to build confidence and support students in presenting for CBAs. The period of intervention recommended for students depends on the nature and extent of their needs.
At all times, we aim to use a multi-sensory approach. This may include demonstrations, station teaching, visuals, games, YouTube, Think, Pair, Share, placemat activities and graphic organisers, in order to ensure we are addressing the various learning styles, strengths and needs of our students as effectively as possible.
Each year, the AEN Department applies for reasonable accommodations for 3rd and 6th year students sitting their State Examinations. This is where your daughter may receive assistance in accessing her exams. The AEN team carries out in-school testing for this.
