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  • Special Educational Needs

SEN Mission Statement

We aim to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem among all our pupils. The whole school, The Board of Management, Parents and Staff are committed to the creation of an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all pupils. All pupils who are recognised as having Special Educational Needs are enabled and empowered to:

  • Participate fully in the school community
  • Acquire the basic personal, social and literacy and numeric skills needed for life
  • Experience success
  • Develop a positive self-image and build self-esteem

School Mission Statement

Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan is a Catholic girls’ secondary school under the trusteeship of the Loreto Trust Board. In the spirit of Mary Ward, we aim to develop all the abilities of our students in order that they realise their full potential and use their talents for the service of others. We also aim to encourage self–confidence and self-esteem in a happy atmosphere and structured environment. The school community, collaborating together in mutual respect, strives for holistic excellence.

SEN

Meeting the Needs and Allocating Support

In 2017, Circular 0014/2017, “Special Education Teaching Allocation” introduced a revised model for allocating Special Educational Needs (SEN) resources to schools. This document and the, “Guidelines for Post Primary Schools Supporting Students with SEN in Mainstream schools”, produced in May 2017, by the Department of Education and Skills (DES), will be the guiding principles that will form the basis for support for students with SEN within Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan.

We acknowledge that there is a spectrum of ability. In line with the New Model for Special Education Teaching Allocation – ‘the highest level of need should have access to the greatest level of support’.

There are three levels of support:

Level 1: Support For All: Whole school and Classroom support – this will focus on preventative and proactive approaches through testing, providing information for students, staff and parents, alongside whole class support.

Level 2: Support For Some: This will focus on providing school support for small groups and some individuals. This may be on a weekly timetabled basis, or short-term intervention.

Level 3: Support For a Few: This will provide individualised and specialist support for a number of students with the greatest level of need, on a regular timetabled basis.

SEN Co-Ordinators 2024;/25
First Year:  Ms. McGillivray
Second Year: Mr.Armstrong
Third year: Ms. A. Geraghty
Fourth Year: Ms.C.McGuirk / Ms.Grehan
Fifth Year: Ms. S.Russell.
Sixth Year: Ms.M.Murphy.

 

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