St Dominic’s School is selective but we do take children who have mild learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia or a particular learning need.

We identify pupils with special needs as early as possible. All prospective pupils are offered a two-day trial period where their performance in class is monitored and reported back to the Head Teacher. On admission to the School all pupils are given a basic literacy and numeracy test and any problems are followed up by means of a more formal test administered by Mrs Belinda James, our Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo). By identifying needs early and working closely with all those concerned with the pupil, we aim to help them achieve their full potential.

Our small class sizes, individual teaching and progress monitoring identifies any areas that may be of difficulty and Learning Support lessons are then tailored specifically to meet the requirements of each child. Parents are kept regularly informed of progress through parental meetings and twice yearly reports.

The aim of the SENCo and Learning Support Assistants is to:

• Ensure that all the teaching staff are sensitive to pupils with special needs;
• Ensure that all subject teachers write an Individual Education Programme specific for the pupils that are receiving extra help and that they are encouraged to differentiate for these pupils when necessary;
• Offer one-to-one withdrawal sessions with a fully qualified teacher;
• Offer in-class support through the SENCo or one of our four experienced Learning Support Assistants: Mrs Hornby, Mrs Clarke, Mrs Kilkenney and Mrs O’Neill; and
• Ensure that support is available throughout the school from Nursery to Sixth Form.

The School maintains constant two-way communication about individual pupils. The SENCo may be able to reinforce specific work in a given subject, whilst the subject teacher may be able to adapt the topic for the pupil.

We are proud of all our pupils at St Dominic’s and believe that each child has a unique gift or talent, whether it is academic, sporting, music or performing arts.

Our special learning pupils are only a small part of the School and are integrated in all aspects of school life, where they flourish and often outshine other pupils.