Belmont Primary
INSPIRING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND SELF-BELIEF

Learning Support

 
 
Learning Support Information


At Belmont Primary School we are committed to providing an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Our approach follows all current Northern Ireland Learning Support Legislation, the Learning Support Framework, and the Department of Education’s Code of Practice.

Our Learning Support Commitment:

We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all pupils. We pride ourselves on our caring and welcoming ethos, where the individual needs of each child are at the core of everything we do.

We work in partnership with parents, the Education Authority (EA), health professionals, and external support services to ensure that each child receives the right support at the right time.

We aim to:

  • Remove barriers to learning
  • Build confidence and self-esteem
  • Make reasonable adjustments
  • Provide accessible learning environments
  • Support transitions between year groups and schools

Mrs Cooley is our Learning Support Co‑ordinator (formerly SENCo) she is responsible for coordinating all learning support provision.

Her roles include:

  • Leading Learning Support provision across the school
  • Coordinating Personal Learning Plans (PLPs)
  • Liaising with teachers, parents, EA, and outside agencies
  • Overseeing the Learning Support Register
  • Supporting staff training
  • Learning Support Teacher

If you are concerned that your child has a Learning Support Need, you should speak to the class teacher or Mrs Cooley. All class teachers work alongside Mrs Cooley to plan and review Learning Support provision.

If you would like a copy of the Learning Support Policy, please contact Mrs Cooley.

Email: dcooley253@c2ken.net
Phone: 02890 471539

How we identify children in need of learning support

NI schools must follow the Code of Practice and EA guidelines when identifying children in need of learning support.

Our approach includes:

  • Teacher observations and classroom-based assessments
  • Consultation with Mrs Cooley
  • Use of the EA guidance on identification of learning support
  • Regular communication with parents
  • Additional assessments where required (educational, psychological, medical)

If a child needs support beyond the usual classroom provision, they will be placed on the  Register and provided with a Personal Learning Plan (PLP). The PLP replaces the former IEP under the new Learning Support Framework.

Personal Learning Plans (PLPs)

A PLP outlines:

  • The child’s needs
  • Targets and success criteria
  • Strategies and interventions
  • How progress will be reviewed

PLPs are reviewed termly and shared with parents, and they transfer from one school to another when a pupil moves.

Stages of Learning Support:

Northern Ireland uses a systematic process aligned with the Code of Practice.

School-Based Stages:

  1. Identification & Classroom Support
  2. Differentiated teaching
  3. Monitoring by teacher & LSC
  4. Targeted School-Based Support
  5. Interventions
  6. PLP introduced
  7. Referral for Statutory Assessment (if needed)
  8. Requests may be made by the school or parents
  9. EA gathers information and conducts assessment
  10. If issued, a Statement of Learning Support outlines the child’s needs, and the provision EA must provide.

Support for Parents:

We value partnership and communication. Parents can contact the class teacher or Mrs Cooley at any time to discuss concerns.

To contact Learning Support services within the EA use the SEND Central phone service – 02890 317777 – Press 1 for Statutory Assessment Review Service (SARS), Press 2 for SEND Support and Advice Team, Press 3 for Education Psychology Services

Useful Links for parents-

EA SEN information  - https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/special-educational-needs-sen

DE SEN Framework - https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/special-educational-needs

SENAC Parent Support - https://senac.co.uk/

RISE NI - https://view.pagetiger.com/RISENI

Parentline NI- https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/

Parent Support Hub – https://www.familysupportni.gov.uk/Service/4285/family-support/family-support-hub-inner-east-belfast-belfast-outcomes-area

SOLAS – https://solasbt7.com/

Middletown Centre for Autism - www.middletownautism.com

Eden Consultancy - https://www.edenconsultancyni.com/