Additional Educational Support

Inclusion of all students is central to our ethos in Cnoc Mhuire. Our vision is to create an excellent learning environment where all students can achieve full potential in their academic, creative, personal, physical, moral and spiritual development. Our teaching, our practices and school policies reflect this throughout school life.

AEN (Additional Education Needs) Supports

Based on identified needs, we include the following as part of our targeted student supports:

In class support – Various models of Team Teaching & Co-Teaching
Differentiated teaching
Small group support
Individual support on a limited basis
Assistive technology – As a G-Suite school there are aspects of this software that support AEN and student needs.
Quiet Room within Solas – access granted based on individual needs and priority given to students who have an ASD diagnosis.

The Continuum of Support

In line with Department of Education and Skills guidelines, the AEN team identifies student needs and meets them in a targeted and planned way through the Continuum of Support. This system involves gathering information, testing, planning ways of specific and targeted interventions to help and reviewing progress.

Identification of Need

Identified needs can include academic, social and emotional needs, as well as needs associated with physical, sensory, language and communication difficulties.

Many students will have their special educational needs identified prior to transitioning into secondary school. We rely on the National Schools Passport, and information provided by parents /guardians to begin the process for a student starting in the school. This allows us to begin to plan and to ensure continuity and progression in the students’ education. Reports are welcomed from relevant professionals if parents would like to submit them. All incoming students complete CAT-4 testing (Cognitive Ability Testing). This also helps to identify students that will need additional support, intervention and differentiation.

If a parent or guardian suspects that there may be a learning need, they should contact the AEN Coordinator or Year-Head or Deputy Principal. The student will then be referred to the AEN team who will investigate and monitor the student’s progress. Good communication with the school will help to identify additional educational needs as early as possible. We work as a team with parents and students.

It is important to us that we can put all of the information we gather together to get the full picture of your child’s specific learning needs, so that we can help them to fully enjoy school life, learning and achieve their full potential.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

An inclusive school environment reflects values and affirms linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity. In Cnoc Mhuire pupils are encouraged to maintain a connection with their own culture and language through curricular activities and various displays. Linguistic and literacy supports are provided to students who have English as a second, maybe even third language. This is to reduce the learning gap between those who are fluent in English and those who are still learning the language. Support is provided in various subjects with an emphasis on cultural diversity.

Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Our ASD class ‘Solas’ is a place of teaching and learning immersed in a caring environment. Our Solas building has a classroom, sensory room and a washroom/bathroom that students can avail of. The classroom is a very visual space with an interactive whiteboard. Students who avail of the ASD class have access to laptops within the Solas classroom. Along with learning materials, our Solas class has a host of educational games, jigsaws and boardgames that the students can use during their breaks. Overall, Solas, as its ‘as gaeilge’ name translates to, is a bright and happy space in which all our students who use it feel happy, safe and reach their full potential.

Access to Solas is provided on an individual basis with an SEN teacher or SNA present. Please see more information from the NCSE on Autism in schools here.

For more information on admissions to Solas, Cnoc Mhuire’s Autism Unit please see our ASD admissions policy.

Useful Services and Websites to support parents / guardians and students

RACE – www.examinations.ie Reasonable accommodations may be granted to students who meet specific criteria based on their educational needs and the continuum of support in schools.

DARE – https://accesscollege.ie/dare/ Disability Access Route to Education
This website allows students whose education has been impacted by their special educational need to apply for points to assist with the application to college and supports to assist them in college.

Assistive Technology – https://www.urability.com/
Some students may require access to assistive technology. This website is one of many which provides a good overview of the various types of assistive technology available.

Dyslexia Ireland – https://www.dyslexia.ie/
Dyslexia Ireland provides excellent support and advice for parents/ guardians and students who have dyslexia or may be considering an assessment for dyslexia.

NCSE – https://ncse.ie/for-parents
National Council for Special Education is the national guiding body for AEN, there are supports and advice for parents/ guardians.

NEPS – National Educational Psychological Service https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/National-Educational-Psychological-Service-NEPS-/Information-for-Parents.html

NEPS stands for the National Educational Psychological Service. NEPS psychologists specialise in working with the school community. We work with both primary and post-primary schools. We are concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development. Each psychologist is assigned to a group of schools.
We work in partnership with teachers, parents and children in identifying educational needs. We offer a range of services aimed at meeting these needs, for example, supporting individual students (through consultation and assessment), special projects and research.

ASIAM – https://asiam.ie/
AsIAm.ie aims to provide a one-stop-shop for the Autism community in Ireland. From providing the public and those with the condition a portal of information about Autism, to providing a platform for people affected by Autism to share their stories and views, to providing a strong voice for the concerns of the community – AsIAm.ie has it all!

Curriculum