Supporting All Students at St. Michael’s Community College
At St. Michael’s, every student is valued, respected, and supported to reach their full potential. Our dedicated Additional Educational Needs (AEN) team works closely together to plan, provide, and review the best possible supports for each student.
Support may take place through team teaching, small group work, or one-to-one support, depending on individual learning needs.
We are proud of our reputation as a school that strives to meet the needs of all of our students and as such, we are proud to have a Special Class for students with autism, which offers a calm, nurturing learning environment in our Home Room. Students in the Special Class are included in mainstream classes as much as possible, in line with their individual needs, interests, and abilities.
Working in Partnership with Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians are essential partners in supporting students with additional learning needs. We are committed to open communication, collaboration, and inclusion at every stage. Our approach includes:
- Providing clear information about our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy and the supports available in our school
- Consulting with parents/guardians whenever additional supports are being considered for a student. This partnership begins from our annual Open Night and continues throughout the school year.
- Maintaining regular communication about each student’s progress, achievements, and wellbeing.
- Offering opportunities for parents/guardians to learn more about SEN, including information sessions and links to outside agencies.
We deeply value the insights, experiences, and contributions of parents and guardians. By working together, we can ensure that every student feels supported, included, and empowered to succeed.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) website has information for parents of children with special educational needs. This includes:
Information for parents
Frequently asked questions
Information on special classes in schools
Information booklets and pamphlets