SEN @ St Monica's
Admission Arrangements
The school's Governing Body is the Admissions Authority and is responsible for taking decisions on applications for admissions. All pupils are considered in line with the criteria as outlined in the school's Admission Policy. In establishing the criteria the Governors have taken full account of the Code of Practice produced by the Department of Education and Skills which includes reference to pupils with special educational needs and those with disabilities as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Governing Body has reserved the right to admit children with proven and exceptional medical or social needs where admission to the school might best help satisfy those exceptional needs.
School is 100% accessible for wheelchairs (i.e. chair lifts, main lift, and two disabled toilets) and many doors have been adjusted to allow access for wheelchairs.
Equal Opportunities
St Monica's applies an Equal Opportunities Policy to both the curriculum and extra-curricular activities. All pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Access to curriculum
The school has adopted the Graduated Response Levels as laid down in the revised Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. Classroom teachers are responsible for differentiation of the content of lessons taking into consideration a pupil's special educational need. The classroom teacher may seek advice from the SEN Co-ordinator.
At School Action Plus additional support is available. This may, for example, be in the form of classroom support, access to specific IT programmes: support from external agencies.
Should a pupil have a Statement of Special Educational Needs the LEA, following consultation with school, parents and external agencies, will specify the provision to be allocated to ensure full access to the curriculum.
Parental involvement is perceived as crucial if support strategies are to have maximum impact. As far as possible pupils are supported in the classroom. However, in certain cases, provision may involve individual/small group teaching from a specialist teacher or supported study with a member of the school's Special Needs Team.
School works closely with outreach staff from the Pupil Learning Centre in order to support those pupils whose special needs are emotional or behavioural.
Facilities to assist access to the school by pupils with disabilities.
The ground floor to the school is accessible via ramps.
A lift provides access to the first floor.
There are disabled toilets/bathing facilities in the PE area and in the main building.
Chair lifts to stairs in the main areas of the school.
Carpet in language rooms and new classrooms.
A copy of the SEN Policy is available from school.
Successful implementation of the school's SEN Policy is evident throughout the school.
A whole school approach to supporting pupils with additional needs has resulted in excellent GCSE examination results.
S.E.N. Examination Results 2008/2009
30 Year 11 pupils from this year group were identified as having special needs at the time of the G.C.S.E. examinations.
The 5 A*- C pass rate was 60.0%
The 5 A*- G pass rate was 96.6%
S.E.N. Examination Results 2009/2010
29 Year 11 pupils from this year group were identified as having special needs at the time of the G.C.S.E. examinations.
The 5 A*- C pass rate was 82.75%
The 5 A*- G pass rate was 100%
The SEN team has worked hard to raise awareness and acceptance of special needs. All pupils are welcome to Club 22 which opens at lunchtime every day, and is now so popular that we have begun opening before school at 8:00am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Fridays. The focus of the club is to offer curriculum / homework support and to provide an opportunity for social interaction for those pupils who are emotionally and socially vulnerable