The Wallace High School | Prospectus 2023

Whilstwedohave a ‘charity calendar’ which takes noteof annual collections suchas the PoppyAppeal, Children inNeed, theSalvationArmyChristmas Appeal and theGreat Daffodil Appeal we are alwayswilling to consider newcauses andare also keen to supportmedical charities whenwehave studentswho live withparticular conditions. Pancreatic cancer has beena cause close to the school’s heart since thedeaths of our former Senior Teacher (Mr BillWilson) andMrGaryCorkinwhohad close bonds to the school. Sadly, in late summer, our former colleagueMr PaddyHarrower alsodiedof this disease andwehavebeenpro active in raising funds forNIPANC. Year 9pupil, AaronCooke, spoke at the launchof amajor project which seesNIPANCpartnering withQueen’sUniversity, Belfast. Due to the suddendeathof our HeadofMaintenance,Mr Colin McCutcheon, inOctober 2022 wehavemadeChest, Heart and Stroke aparticular focus for our fundraising efforts. Human trafficking is alsoan issuewe take seriously andwehave enjoyedparticipating increative fundraising for Flourish, NI. To datewehaveheldanevening of sustainable fashion “Wallace Threads” and sold items ( donated by staff) onpopular platforms. Wehave alsobeendelighted thatHabitat forHumanityhas re-introduced itsChangeMakers programme andour teamof fourteenYear 13 students arehalf way to their fundraising target of £1200.

SEN SUPPORT We are conscious that pupils bring to school individual experiences, histories, interests and strengths which impact on their learning. Inplanning tomeet thesediverse needs, the school will encourage all pupils toappreciate and respect difference inothers, arising fromwhatever source. We recognise that some students will come toWallacewithaSEN whilst otherswill be identifiedas having suchaneedduring their timehere.We are committed to helpingpupils overcomebarriers to learning andassessment and ourmodel is an inclusiveone fostering a senseof integration, as all pupils are consistently involved in target setting exercises thus enablingpupils to set their own goals. Heads of Department are expected toprovidedepartmental policies, support and subject specific targets for SENpupils and

work inco-operationwithhis or her parents. Twoof our Senior Teachers,MissGracey andMr McKnight, are fully qualifiedas specialist assessor forAccess Arrangements and registered with theBritishPsychological Society. MrMcKnightworks primarilywithKeyStage 3 andGCSEpupils andMiss GraceywithA level students. Many of our teachers have voluntarily completedonline CPD (ContinuingProfessional Development) courses and anumber of our Classroom Assistants have engagedwith the CPDofferedby theMiddletown AutismCentre. Staff training remains apriority andall staffhave completed the excellent trainingprogrammeon ASDprovidedby theEducation Authority. Some staffare completing a further level of trainingonASDandall staff completed trainingondyslexia inAugust.Wehave anewfacility, the LearningSupportHub, which serves as aquiet space for students needing abrief ‘time out’ andas abaseboth for one to one support fromour Classroom Assistants and literacy support.

to liaisewithHeads of Year inmodifyingprovision for individual pupils.

The schoolmakes full useof the support services offeredby the EducationAuthority (EA) and external agencies, as appropriate. At all times, we strive tomaintain thedignity of thepupil and to

PAGE 15