Additional Education Support
Here at Scoil Chonglais our aim is to provide inclusive, equal access to education for all students regardless of Additional Educational Need (AEN). The Continuum of Support framework enables us to identify and respond to our students’ needs in a flexible and meaningful manner. This framework recognises that Additional Needs occur along a continuum, ranging from mild to severe, from transient to long term, and that students require different levels of support depending on their individual needs.
Our SENCO and AEN faculty work closely with outside agencies, educational psychologists, staff, parents, guardians and the students themselves to ensure that every pupil receives a level of support which will enable them to succeed. This support is well planned, individually targeted and ensures student progress is tracked in a way which scaffolds students towards achieving their fullest potential.
The level and nature of support reflects the specific needs of students as set out in their Support Plans (SSP) and is informed by careful monitoring and reviewing of progress. Additional Education teaching supports are identified by need, ensuring that those with the highest level of need have access to the greatest level of support. We provide this support in the following ways;
- Team Teaching – In class support
- Special Needs Assistant (SNA) – In class support
- Small Group Learning Support – Withdrawal
- Le Chéile – Our Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit
Goal Setting and Progress Tracking
Individualised Student Support Files (SSF) are designed for our AEN students. SSFs are created with students’ individual needs to the forefront. A student’s area of need may be identified through diagnosis by an Educational Psychologist, various testing carried out within the AEN faculty or identified through classroom teacher referral. Tests such as;
- (WRAT5), Diagnostic Reading and Spelling
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III)
- Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH)
Are some of the tests used within the AEN faculty to identify Additional Educational Needs. Once testing has been carried out, along with any prior information held on a student, a Support File is created in consultation with the student, parents, guardians and any outside agencies which may be involved in a student’s educational journey. A SSP contains targets which will be worked on with each AEN student within their areas of need.
Each SSF is re-assessed regularly, and new targets are set in order to ensure student progress is tracked effectively and new goals are set when required.
SEC RACE – Reasonable Accommodation at Certificate Examinations.
The scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) facilitates access to the Certificate Examinations by candidates who would have difficulty in accessing the examination or communicating what they know to an examiner because of a physical, visual, hearing and/or learning difficulty (SEC, 23). Applications are subject to approval by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
An application process must be completed for a student who wishes to avail of any accommodation. Applications are usually made to the SEC in early October/ November time.
Available Arrangements
Some arrangements which may be available to AEN students are as follows;
- A spelling, grammar and punctuation waiver, a reader, a scribe, assistive technology, an exam reading pen, a special centre, movement breaks and a Braille examination paper. There is further information available on the RACE at www.examinations.ie .
- The RACE 2025 guidelines can be accessed here
Our AEN faculty warmly welcome any discussions or meetings with parents and guardians to ensure the best possible support for our students.