Loanends Primary School Prospectus 2025 / 2026

Loanends Primary School Prospectus 2025-26

Pastoral Care and Positive Behaviour

If you are ever worried about your child’s progress, behaviour or welfare please contact either the Principal or class teacher concerned. In a similar way we may wish to contact you if your child’s progress, attitude or behaviour is causing concern. We attempt to detect learning difficulties at an early age and to offer intervention as soon as possible. Pupils with special educational needs will be catered for within their own class situation with additional support when possible. Parents are always notified when additional support is being contemplated for their child. Consultations are arranged twice a year when parents have the opportunity of a formal interview with the class teacher to discuss their child’s progress. This is in addition to the informal contact which we encourage throughout the year. All teachers have a responsibility for the welfare and care of all the pupils in the school. By offering a broad and balanced curriculum which allows each pupil to achieve his/her potential we hope to minimise discipline problems. Our Positive Behaviour Policy details our high standards of education and behaviour. It encompasses aspects of positive reinforcement, setting examples, giving encouragement and developing confidence and sound attitudes. Staff recently have had training in Restorative Practices, which seeks to restore relationships rather than impose sanctions. This is a work in progress. Only when these approaches fail, we then implement an agreed set of graded sanctions. This is always a last resort. Teachers will be responsible at all times for the behaviour of pupils in their care and this policy will permeate all aspects of school life. The Positive Behaviour Policy has been recently updated and is available on request from the school office.

Special Needs and Inclusion Provision is made within the resources available to the school. Please ask for our separate policy on Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. It is our belief that every child should have the opportunity to succeed, and achievements will be recognised and measured on an individual basis. The school implements the requirements of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, (The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs) and any of the subsequent amendments. This is currently changing with the new SEND Legislation 2016. The principle aim for children with special needs is the maintenance of their self-esteem and their full integration into the life of the school. It is our priority to identify attainable learning objectives for each child with special needs; objectives which he/she can reach in a short period of time. The SENCo (or Learning Support Coordinator) provides information and ideas about appropriate individual or small group learning activities and co-operates with the class teacher in monitoring progress. From the date of first identification of special need, a child’s progress will be closely monitored and communicated to parents. Parents are asked to sign the Individual Education Plan (Personal Education Plan) and are given ideas how they can best support their child at home. Education Plans are reviewed three times during the year.

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