Additional Needs
Pupils with additional needs such as a hearing or speech impairment, mild physical disability, specific learning difficulty or deteriorating health condition are welcome at St Vincent's.
We are able to provide necessary assessments in hearing, language, functional vision, psychological needs and additional educational needs. Individual counselling is available for all pupils. Differences in religious observances are catered for in our multi-cultural school. Provision is made for special dietary requirements.
All pupils have an Individual Education Plan and a Care Plan at all Key Stages. This includes Mobility, Braille, Basic Numeracy and Literacy, Technology, Music, Independent Living Skills and other aspects of the curriculum. Learning Support Assistants and Care Staff work closely with Pupils and Teachers to ensure optimum access to the 24 hour curriculum.
Additional Special Needs are identified through baseline and ongoing assessment.
Staff, pupils and parents work with other professionals, including the pupils' Local Education Authority, to provide a quality of education which meets their very specific individual needs. This is embodied in holistic care and education programmes, which are designed to maximise each pupil's potential.
Mobility Training
Mobility training is the development of two skills, Mobility and Orientation. Mobility is the ability to move efficiently in ones environment. Orientation is the use of the remaining senses to establish ones location in that environment.
The aim of the mobility programme is to provide the visually impaired pupil with the necessary skills and experience, which will enable them to travel independently, safely and efficiently.
We hope to reach these aims by stimulating the desire to move, taking into consideration age, ability and specific needs. Each pupil here at St Vincent's will work through a tailored individually planned programme; receiving a weekly 55 minute lesson which is then reinforced throughout the school day as all Staff have undergone ‘in-house' training.
Our Mobility department is made up of three qualified full time Mobility Officers. As safety is of paramount importance, each lesson is conducted on a one to one basis. Mobility training makes a significant contribution to the level of independence achieved by the pupils.
St Vincent's Mobility department also offer outreach services to all education authorities for pupils and staff within the inclusion setting. We currently collaborate with other learning providers in delivering accredited courses of Staff Development.
MEDICAL AND THERAPUTIC HELP
The School Health Care Co-ordinator in association with the Head of Care manages all medical and therapeutic services.
Medical
St Vincent's School has a General Practitioner and access to a Hearing Assessment Service. When necessary, the Health Care Co-ordinator arranges appointments with the consultant Ophthalmologist and Paediatrician based at Alder Hey Hospital.
Physiotherapy
Any pupils with physical difficulties are assessed by our school physiotherapist who will decide on the appropriate treatment programme, which are implemented in school in close liaison with all school staff, parents and local services.
Speech and Language Therapy
The Speech and Language Therapist assesses any children with speech, language or communication difficulties and implements individual programmes of intervention in close liaison with parents and other staff.
Music Therapy
Music Therpy is offered on an individual and group basis, by the on site, State Registered Music Therapist. Referrals can be made for pupils needing extra support. Music Therapy takes place on a weekly basis.
Psychological Services
The School's Educational Psychologist visits weekly and provides the following services:
- Intellectual and educational assessment of pupils
- Behavioural assessment and management programmes
- Counselling for individual pupils
- Advisory resource for staff
Low Vision Assessments
Functional Vision Assessments are carried out by experienced, specialist staff. These ongoing assessments are reviewed and developed on a personal basis to ensure each individual grows in independence via optimum learning materials, viewing techniques and reading aids with both high and low technology.
Technology And Resources
All pupils are encouraged to make full use of the School's extensive and specialised range of technological aids to learning.
In addition to the excellent facilities offered by the Resource Centre and Reprographics Department, classrooms are well equipped with a large range of computer technology together with audio-visual equipment.
The school is equipped with extensive computer related equipment, which is used in both Information and Communication Technology and Word Processing, together with a purpose-built learning resource base in the school library and ICT room.
This includes CD Rom, Computer Systems, Synthetic Speech and computerised Braille embossers.
The Reprographics Department produces a wide range of high quality educational materials in both Braille and also modified large print in a variety of sizes to suit students' individual needs.
Books, documents and tactile diagrams are produced by specialists to enable students to access a variety of information from many different sources.
The department provides support materials for visually impaired pupils in local schools and students in Further Education and Higher Education and also works with industry to provide educational resources in both Braille and modified large print to use by all.
The school has invested heavily in Information and Communication Technology and is fully networked to support and enhance pupils' access to the latest information.
