How we provide Special Education support at Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine
At Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine SEN support is provided by a team of specialist teachers and SNAs either as inclusive student support within the classroom or as support given to individuals/small groups withdrawn from class and based within the Home Room.
SEN Inclusive Support
Students identified as requiring extra support within class may be assisted by teachers working within a ‘team-teaching’ scenario or by SNAs directly involved with the student. Each student’s particular needs will have been identified, and an appropriate level of support enables them to access their learning. Students are given the time and space to work independently but with the reassurance that immediate support is there when required.
Withdrawal Support
At times some students may benefit from working away from their class. Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine provides a room known as the ‘Home Room’ in which students can be taken to work individually or in small groups with a member of the SEN Team. This space enables students to work in a quieter environment. The work they undertake might be directly linked to the current work being done in class or it may be targeting particular needs of the student.
The Home Room
The Home Room is a versatile space where students may go to receive both academic and social supports. It is equipped with a fully functional kitchen area where life skills activities (e.g. food preparation, cooking, washing-up) can be performed. There are tables, computers, bookshelves, educational games and other equipment to support individual/small group learning. In addition, there is a ‘quiet’ room which also doubles-up as a sensory space for students who may need a bit of ‘downtime’. Another small room adds a further quiet space for specific 1:1 support or private meetings. The Home Room also provides a WC along with storage space for students’ bags and coats.
Therapy Dogs
Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine is actively involved with the charity, ‘My Canine Companion’, which supports the use of therapy dogs within schools. The school has access to three calm canines based in the Home Room. They work with students who may be struggling socially and /or emotionally and are available to accompany them throughout the school day. In addition to supporting specific student needs, the dogs also have an overall calming effect on the whole of the school, especially during busy times between lessons.
The Summer Programme
Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine runs a two-week summer programme offered to students with identified special education/additional needs. This programme focuses on the development of social skills through a selection of activities involving life skills (e.g. shopping, food preparation), creative arts, physical/movement along with times for students to be involved with planning their work and reflecting upon outcomes.
Screening
Standardised and Cognitive Based Assessments:
In Term one, all first-year students at Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine are assessed using the Post Primary Assessment and Diagnosis-English (PPAD-E). The PPAD-E assessment is a screening and diagnostic tool designed by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). It assesses literacy skills across five key areas:
PPAD-E provides a student’s standardised scores and assists in identifying students that may require additional supports.
The cognitive based assessment CAT 4 also takes place in first year. It is administered to all first years at the beginning of the academic year to ensure appropriate support and intervention is in place. It assesses a student’s ability across four different reasoning batteries:
RACE
(Reasonable Accommodations in the State Certificate Examinations)
‘Accommodations or Reasonable Accommodations in certified examinations refers to modifications in how a test is administered while not compromising the integrity of the examination system. Accommodations may include changes to presentation format, response format, test setting or test timing. In general terms, the provision aims to remove the impact of a disability so that candidates can demonstrate their full level of attainment, while not given any advantage’ – (National Council for Special Education, 2021)
The Testing Process
At Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, the process begins at the end of the Second Year and continues until the specified closing date (usually December/January of the Third Year).
To preserve the integrity of the process and ensure equity, testing is only carried out ONCE with a student. Requests to repeat testing cannot be permitted.
What Sources of Information Are Considered as Part of the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations Testing Process?
Identifying students eligible for testing is informed by the following:
What Happens After the Testing?
Should a student meet the criteria for reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations, the student’s parent/guardian will be informed of their child’s eligibility by the school.
It is then the decision of the parent/guardian whether or not they wish the school to proceed with the application process. All applications must be signed by the candidate, their parent/guardian (if under 18 years of age) and the school Principal/Deputy Principal.
Does the Testing Process Have to Be Repeated for the Leaving Certificate?
In 2017 the State Examinations Commission made significant changes to the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations Scheme. These changes involved a process referred to as ‘reactivation’, which means any accommodations granted to a candidate at Junior Certificate can be ‘reactivated’ and put in place for the candidate at Leaving Certificate once the State Examinations Commission is satisfied that the need that existed at Junior Certificate is still present at Leaving Certificate.