Middle School
The role of Academic Support in the Middle School is to initially identify boys with special learning needs who are not achieving at year level or those boys with gaps in their knowledge and understanding, who would benefit from smaller classes in English and/or Mathematics. Analysis of standardised test results, NAPLAN results, school reports, reports from external specialists as well as parent information provided on the parent questionnaire for all new boys, is used to determine students requiring additional support.
Scotch College Middle School caters for these students through the option of attending smaller Mathematics or English classes. The classes run at the same time as mainstream classes on the timetable. These smaller classes also include an experienced Education Assistant to help deliver the programme and optimise the teacher to student ratio. The support classes follow the same content as mainstream classes but include more skills-based work as well as differentiation of the curriculum to accommodate students’ learning needs. The structure is also flexible in that students can move into support at any time or move back into mainstream. The aim is to develop the students’ skills as well as their confidence and sense of achievement.
Support teachers also work together with homeroom and specialist teachers to support in the delivery of the curriculum and to enable students to share in an inclusive curriculum with opportunities to realise their potential and value.
An additional role of Academic Support in the Middle School is to apply for both state and federal funding for students with diagnosed disabilities. This funding supports our extensive Education Assistant programme.