Cults Primary School

Special Education Needs

Cults Primary School is a large, open plan Community Education School. The building comprises of three teaching units with seven classes in each, from Primary 1 to 7 around central resources with a nursery unit and SEN unit which is in a central position to the school. The unit was opened in 1998 as a two teacher unit for 13 children from Primary 1 to 7 who have a wide range of physical needs as well as moderate learning difficulties. The children all have Records of Needs and the SEN provision follows the guidelines for admission procedures and inclusion set by the Aberdeen City Education Department and Scottish Office. The teachers who work from the unit are trained primary teachers one with a Certificate in SEN and one teacher with an SEN Diploma and a Diploma in Autism. In addition to teaching children with mild/moderate difficulties, the staff have developed expertise in Autism, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, hearing and visual impairments and are well supported by specialists who work collaboratively with each other, school staff and parents in a team approach to the individual child's needs. The children are well included into mainstream, work is differentiated through an individualised educational programme as appropriate and children are included into mainstream and supported 1-1 or within a small class group in the unit as appropriate to their needs. A two-way flow of children between class and the SEN unit is encouraged. The school encourages a buddy system where, children choose to buddy a child with special needs, at playtime under the supervision of the child's auxiliary where the child has designated 1-1 support. The sensory room adds a wider dimension to the curriculum to support the children's needs and we are gradually making the whole school environment more accessible to all eg within the school playground we have created pathways for wheelchair access and are incorporating inclusive play equipment. We have the best interests of all the children at heart and are ready to meet the requirements of the Additional Support for Learning Act where all children's needs should be met through a fully inclusive environment.