Markethill High School is committed to delivering inclusive education for children with Special Educational Needs.  Pupils with Special Educational Needs are taught in mainstream classes where every effort is made to facilitate and enhance the teaching and learning through planned use of additional, positive and practical intervention strategies.  Through these strategies we hope to create a supportive and disciplined environment which will foster the individual growth and development of caring, responsible young people.

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Our provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs, is based primarily on our commitment to provide them with a broad, balanced and flexible education.  Our strategies include the following: –

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• Early identification of need - including liaison with feeder primary schools.

• Robust intervention, taking into consideration pupil voice and availing of the knowledge of parents. Alongside regular review of provision and targets through Personal Learning Plan cycles.  

• Ongoing guidance from relevant and appropriate external agencies e.g.

  • EA Children and Young People Support Services such as

    • Autism Advisory and Intervention Service,

    • Behaviour Support Team,

    • Educational Psychology,

    • Sensory Services,

    • Exceptional Teaching Arrangements and

    • Education Other Than At School (EOTAS).

  • Southern Health and Social Care Trust agencies such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Autism Services, Social Services, Family Hub.

• Positive connections with adult assistants. At MHS, we have a thriving team of 18 adult assistants who facilitate the learning of pupils on a daily basis. 

• Informed teaching staff, who undertake continued professional development that reflects the needs of pupils.

• Our newly commissioned and purpose-built Learning Support Centre for individual support, small group lessons, regulation breaks and as quieter space during unscheduled times such as break and lunch.  We were delighted that the Minister for Education, Paul Givan MLA, officially opened our nurture room on Wednesday 15 May 2024.