Learning Support

“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” (Dr Rita F Pierson)

Learning Support Provision within De La Salle College

In September 1966, La Salle Boys’ School opened with around 300 boys and 13 teachers. Today, there are approximately 873 boys with 60 teachers and a large number of support staff; including 44 classroom assistants. Of the 873 boys enrolled, almost 44% have special education needs and 43% have medical needs.

As a Lasallian school, we have a special mission to nurture and support our most vulnerable students, and we welcome boys of all abilities. Our motto is “Growing to excellence” and as a team, the staff within the SEN Department are fully committed to supporting our pupils through their school career.

At all times, we are working collaboratively as professionals with our pupils and colleagues to develop our pupils to be able to achieve their very best in life by being independent learners, creative thinkers and problem solvers. We want to equip our pupils with the necessary skills and resilience to be able to take their place in society and to achieve all that they are capable of achieving.

The learning experience in De La Salle needs to be personalised and individually tailored for each pupil. We facilitate this through a range of diagnostic assessment to identify areas of need/progress in Literacy and Numeracy, and incorporate these findings into pupil IEPs, and refer to them when creating support packages.

De La Salle College strives to provide access to mainstream education for pupils with a wide and varied range of special educational needs.

Our Learning Support Department, comprising of the SENCO, Deputy SENCO, Specialist Teachers and a Team of highly committed classroom assistant staff, work in collaboration with our supportive parents/ carers and the expert services provided by a variety of external agency staff, to endeavour to provide an education tailored to meet the individual needs of each and every pupil. We have 3 Learning Support rooms which includes a Key Stage 3 Specialist Resource Class. We provide a facility for vulnerable pupils during all unstructured parts of the school day and a Learning Support Homework club.

Specialist Resource Class at KS3

A Specialist Resource Class for KS3 pupils with ASD has been developed within the College this academic year. Pupils enjoy high quality small group teaching in a specially equipped nurturing space which has access to dimmed lighting, black out curtains, interactive whiteboard, ICT facilities, sensory bubble lighting, sensory equipment and a social space.

Literacy Support at KS3

Literacy Support is delivered in small groups of 1–3 pupils by the team of CAs and specialist teachers. Each pupil who receives support in KS3 follows the SEN Literacy Programme with work adapted/ developed and differentiated to meet the needs and interest levels of the pupil. This support is in addition to English Language timetabled under curriculum guidelines.

Literacy Support at KS4 & KS5

Literacy Support delivered to KS4 & KS5 is carefully tailored to compliment the courses of study of the individual pupil. CAs and SENCO liaise closely with subject teachers to ensure that Support is meaningful and productive.

Emotional Support

A range of short Intervention Programmes are offered to support Anti-Bullying/ Anger Management/ Feelings & Emotions/ Anxiety and Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities (TSPC) by the Specialist Teacher. A range of Resilience Programmes are also provided throughout KS3 to help support pupils with their self-esteem and emotional regulation. Counselling support is also available through Family Works. This can be facilitated through Zoom video calls.

Medical Support

A fulltime Pupil Welfare Officer provides support with medical needs in the Pupil Welfare Room. She is also supported by a team of First Aid trained staff.

“We are all a box of crayons, each one of us unique, but when we get together...the picture is complete!

External Agency Support

We enjoy support from the following agencies (although this is not an exhaustive list):

Autism Advisory Intervention Service
Cedar Foundation
DEL Careers
EA Education Psychologist
EA Literacy Service
EA Sensory Support (H.I. & V.I.)
EA Transition Officer
Education Welfare Officer
Family Works Counselling
Intercultural Education Service
Mitchell House
St Gerard’s Outreach Services
SPSS / Link Centre

Every Child Can Learn