Learning Support Programme

This department supports any child with learning difficulties.All students are screened on entry using standardised literacy assessments and the results decide who will be eligible to attend.It is our policy to bring every child to their full literacy potential in order to assist their learning throughout the curriculum and early intervention is the key.Generally students are offered two periods a week on the timetable.Teaching is conducted on a multi-sensory basis.Phonic, visual and kinesthetic skills are developed for both remedial purposes and compensatory strategies.Primary, First and Second Forms work on an individualized literacy programme, as indicated by their assessment results.Assessments are repeated termly to monitor progress.Third, Fifth and Sixth Forms focus on curriculum support which aims to alleviate difficulties they may experience with accessing the texts and a study skills programme to assist their preparations for Junior and Leaving Certificate Exams.Students who are eligible for Reasonable Accommodations in their certificate exams are prepared in the use of assistive technology where appropriate.   The department liaises extensively with parents and outside agencies such as the State Examinations Commission, when applying for Reasonable Accommodations in certificate exams, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, Enable Ireland and others.

Our Staff  

Mrs Frances Heffernan works full-time in the literacy area, she has been teaching for over 30 years, 25 of those in the area of special needs.Frances has a post-graduate qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties from Edinburgh University, is a member of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland and has been assessed by the British Dyslexia Association as a fully authorised teacher (AMBDA)  

Ms Suzanne McEneaney works part-time in the literacy area.She has the Diploma in Learning Support Education from Trinity College, Dublin and a MEd (Inclusive Education) from the Open University.

Mr. Noel Coldrick who supports with mathematics.