Special Educational Needs

Additional Needs Department at Integrated College Glengormley

At Integrated College Glengormley, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every pupil can thrive. Our Additional Needs Department, led by Mrs Kerr, plays a vital role in ensuring that pupils with additional needs receive the support they require to succeed academically and socially.

Meet Our Team

• Mrs Kerr – Senior Leader, SEMCo and award-winning educator, dedicated to removing barriers to learning and promoting inclusion.
• Mr Gault – Assistant SENCo, responsible for medical needs and exam access arrangements.
• Mr Finn – Assistant SENCo, responsible for coordinating Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and Requests for Involvement for support (RfIs) with the Education Authority.

Together, this experienced team works closely with pupils, parents, and staff to provide tailored support that meets individual needs.

Our Approach

We welcome pupils of all abilities and backgrounds. We understand that at different stages of education, some pupils may need extra help. Through high-quality first teaching, our staff scaffold and differentiate lessons to match each pupil’s learning style.

Our guiding principle is simple: put the young person at the center of every decision. We involve pupils in planning their support and aim for continuous progress throughout their time at Integrated College Glengormley.

Stages of SEND Support

We recognise that some pupils will face barriers to their learning that require support above and beyond reasonable classroom adjustments.  Pupils with significant learning difficulties are placed on the school’s SEN register and support is provided at three levels:

• Stage 1: School-based support
• Stage 2: School-based support plus external input from EA and/or Health Trusts
• Stage 3: Support as outlined in a formal Statement of Special Educational Needs

Support is reviewed regularly, and pupils may move between stages as their needs change.

Personal Learning Plans (PLPs)

Every pupil on the SEN register has a PLP detailing the strategies and resources they need to access the curriculum. Examples include:

• Adapted materials for dyslexia
• Printed notes and ICT access
• Extra time in tests and assessments
• Calm plans and sensory breaks
• Small group or one-to-one interventions

Assessment and Intervention

At the start of Year 8, all pupils complete:

• CAT4
• Progress Test in English (PTE)
• Progress Test in Maths (PTM)

Pupils who score below average receive additional testing and may join literacy or numeracy intervention programmes. One key programme is Direct Instruction, delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Direct Instruction. Integrated College Glengormley is proud to be the first school in Northern Ireland and Ireland to offer this evidence-based approach, ensuring every pupil leaves with age-appropriate skills in reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics.

Learning Support Provision

We offer a wide range of support, including:

• Specialist SEN teachers for Nurture, Literacy, Numeracy, Behaviour, and Home Links Education
• A large team of highly experienced & skilled Teaching Assistants
• Break and lunch clubs for vulnerable pupils
• Sixth Form Learning Mentors through enrichment programmes
• Trained readers and scribes for KS3 & KS4 exams
• Dyslexia-friendly classrooms
• School-Based Care Team
• Two fully equipped sensory “Recharge” rooms
• Individual and group intervention programmes tailored to specific needs
• Guidance and support from external EA services

Specialist Provisions

• Mainstream Connect Classes: Six smaller nurture-based classes following the full curriculum with specialist SEN teachers.
• Social Communication Classes: Four EA-funded classes for pupils with complex needs linked to Autism, based in our newly refurbished Learning Support Centre.
• Hearing Support Centre: The only post-primary school in Northern Ireland with this EA-funded provision, led by Mr Love, supporting pupils with moderate to profound hearing loss while enabling them to thrive in mainstream education.

Our Vision

We believe every pupil deserves the opportunity to succeed. By providing tailored support, fostering independence, and promoting inclusion, we aim to ensure that all pupils leave Integrated College Glengormley equipped with the skills and confidence they need for life beyond school.