ADDITIONAL SUPPORT  NEEDS

EDUCATION (DISABILITY STRATEGIES AND PUPILS’ EDUCATIONAL RECORDS) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

A Statement form the Authority

An Accessibility Strategy has been developed in order to ensure that the Council and school can address and meet their legal obligations in particular under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2002 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 – Schools.

The two key duties placed upon Education Authorities are:-

·         Not to treat disabled people less favourably

·         To take reasonable steps to avoid putting disabled people at substantial disadvantage

The Disability Strategy addresses three specific aspects:

·         Access to the Curriculum

·         Access to the Physical Environmental Skills

·         Improving Communication and Delivering of School Information

The Accessibility Strategy covers a time period from 1April 2003 – 31 March 2006. The school has put in place, or is in the process of putting in place, strategies to ensure that the above aspects are being met and monitored effectively.

The Act defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Pupils With Disabilities

Children with disabilities are catered for in the school according to Angus Council Education Department’s Support for learners Policy.  This endorses the principle that children with disabilities should be educated as locally as is possible, consistent with meeting their needs effectively.  The process of admitting a child with disabilities to the school will involve discussion with parents, child, school, Education Department staff and other specialist agencies as appropriate.

There is a Support for Learning Base in school.  At present it is staffed by 3 FT teachers,
4 FT and 1 PT Support for Learning Assistants.  The staff prepare and present individual programmes to meet the needs of each individual child. 

This policy supports, as appropriate, integration of pupils with their peer group in the normal classroom situation.  Progress is monitored from day to day and is regularly reported to parents who are consulted if any change in the programme of support is being considered. 

SUPPORT FOR LEARNERS /ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS POLICY

Purpose

This policy has been produced to enable the school to promote effective curricular and working practices with the aim of developing the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of each individual pupil to his / her fullest potential. The policy takes appropriate account of statutory requirements and is based on guidance provided by the local authority.

Principles Underpinning Policy

·         “Support for Learners” describes the various approaches taken to provide an appropriate curriculum for all pupils.

·         It is the school’s policy to foster inclusion within the mainstream insofar as this is appropriate and as far as resources permit

·         The policy should be an integral part of the whole school Effective Learning and Teaching Policy

·         There should be clear roles and responsibilities for all staff

·         There should be a clear and structured framework for the referral of pupils

·         There should be clear and structured framework to monitor progress

·         Pupils should be happy, secure and have their views valued

·         Parents should be fully consulted at all stages