Additional learning support

At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.

Support that fits your child's needs

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments  that suits each child’s needs.

Additional learning support can include:

• teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
• specialist support for students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)

• providing tailored programs to help high potential and gifted students with their advanced learning needs

• small group tutoring to provide targeted literacy and numeracy support for students

• regular check-ins to review and update the planned supports

• changes to the classrooms:

  • accessible classrooms
  • assistive technology
  • instructional resources

• extra guidance, simpler content or different focus during lessons

• assessment adjustments:

  • more time
  • simpler language
  • breaks during tasks
  • different ways to complete a task (e.g. oral presentations instead of written tasks).

We know when a student needs help when:

• teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
• reviewing assessment results and learning progress
• parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.

Adjustments are planned with parents and carers. They are reviewed regularly and changed when needed.  If you think your child may need extra help, contact us.

Learning Enhancement and Acceleration Program (LEAP) - Unique to Balgownie Public School

‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is a saying that is evident in the multi-layered learning opportunities we provide for our students at Balgownie Public School. Students are at the centre of every decision we make. Our commitment to their learning growth is paramount, whether children are having learning difficulties, have strong academic skills or are high potential or talented in an area of learning. Our excellent teachers provide quality explicit instruction everyday to meet the needs of every learner in their classroom. In addition, our Learning Enhancement and Acceleration Program (LEAP) team works with groups of students within the classroom or outside the classroom to support, boost and enhance their learning. The smaller group facilitates greater teacher to student ratio providing students with additional opportunities to share ideas and understanding, and receive feedback to guide and improve learning. Not all students will engage in LEAP, as the focus of learning for each group adjusts to meet the needs of our students at a particular point in time. Additionally, groups of students are flexibly selected using current and existing achievement data.

The encouragement and support families provide for their children at home has a huge effect on their learning and we are proud to be their partners in learning. Our wonderful community volunteers also provide reading and numeracy support to small groups of 1 - 2 students. The reinforcement of learning and the opportunity to practice with our wonderful volunteers throughout the week is so very much appreciated.

All our LEAP teaching and learning is tailored and targeted to students’ point of need to either support, boost or extend learning. A summary of the types of LEAP support and programs is listed below.

We are a village working together to ensure the best learning outcomes for our wonderful Balgownie students!

Learning and support team

Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:

• understand each student’s needs
• plan adjustments and supports
• monitor progress
• connect with other services if needed.

Our learning and support team may include:

• learning and support teachers
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors
• school psychologists

• student support officers
• itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
• English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers
• Aboriginal education officers
• community and home school liaison officers.

Contact us to meet with a member of this team to talk about your child’s strengths, interests and areas where they may need support.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.

Contact us