Multinational School

The Learning Support Programme assists students who have weaknesses in one or more learning areas. These students may have specific learning difficulties, for example dyslexia or attention difficulties (AD/ADHD), mild learning difficulties - e.g. comprehension, spelling or sentence construction - gaps in education caused by disruptive schooling or learning differences, or mild emotional disturbances.

Students in Learning Support are integrated as much as possible with their peers. In-class assistance is offered to students and/or withdrawal based Learning Support. Students receive one-on-one support or are taught in small groups.

The Multinational School provides IEPs (Individual Education Plans), which are differentiated to suit the needs of each student. In Learning Support, the students work towards the goals of their IEPs as well as building the fundamental literacy, numeracy and study skills required to cope with mainstream subjects. Learning Support classes help students by using a modified curriculum, which is designed to meet Learning Support targets, enabling the students to cope with their class work.

By ascertaining students’ learning difficulties and supplying realistic goals, supported by individually tailored learning strategies, Learning Support students are able to manage the mainstream Programme and improve their general language, numeracy and study skills simultaneously. Learning Support serves students from Year 1 through to year 10.

Learning Support Policy

Educational Programmes are guided by the following principles:

• All students have the basic right to a quality education that meets their needs.
• All students have the right to an education in the least restrictive environment.
• All students can learn and be taught.
• All students have the right to be taught in a mainstream school.
• All students benefit from teaching practices that are inclusive of the needs of every student.
• Educational planning requires an active partnership between the school, parents, the student and relevant professional support staff and organisations.
• Resources and support services for students with special needs will be school based where possible.
• Students will receive resources and support based on identified educational needs rather than a category of disability.
• All students will have involvement in the mainstream school activities where possible.

Learning Support Classes

Students who are in mainstream classes will be eligible for support from the Learning Support Department if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• The student has a known diagnosis of developmental delay, developmental disorder or specific learning disorder that is supported by written reports from specialist professionals;
• The student is one or more academic year levels below the standard expected for their academic year group in two or more key learning areas identified by the Curriculum and Standards Framework;
• The student demonstrates behaviours that are disruptive to his/her learning.

Students will not be eligible for attendance in the Learning Support class purely for behavioural disturbance. The Learning Support classes are for students who are unable to learn in the mainstream class due to cognitive or language delay and they require specialist support to learn effectively.

The classroom teacher, year coordinator and school vice principal will deal with purely behavioural issues.

If appropriate, consultation from the special needs staff may be requested.