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 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 (SLSO)
• school counsellors
• school psychologists
• 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.

Working with external providers

Our school works closely with families to make sure every child gets the support they need to learn and thrive. Sometimes this means bringing in specialist providers from outside our school, such as therapists funded by the NDIS or other programs.

These external providers do not have an automatic right to come into our school. Any request must come from a parent or carer in writing so we can make sure the support is safe, appropriate, and in the best interest of the student.

What does outside support mean?

Outside support means getting extra help for your child from people who are not part of our school. This can include:

• Assessments or checks – such as psychological, speech or occupational therapy
• Special tutoring or learning programs – run by trained professionals outside our school
• Health services – like counselling or medical support we cannot give internally
• Agency support – help with behaviour, language or social development

This support works with what our school already provides, to meet your child’s needs.

How the process works for parents and carers

Your role in the process

Parents help this process run smoothly by:

• Making the external provider request in writing to our school.
• Letting providers know if their child will be away or if there is a school event on that day.

For more information on accessing external provider support, see the Information for parents and carers

Requirements for external providers

External providers must meet all NSW Department of Education requirements before working with our school.

They must:

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

"I get extra support when I need it.” — a year 5 student of Llandilo Public School.