Welcome to Our Special Education Unit
At Kingswood South Public School we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive, and enriching environment for all our students. Our Special Education Unit stands as a testament to this commitment, offering tailored educational programs and resources to ensure every child can thrive.
Inclusive Approach
Our philosophy centres on inclusivity, ensuring that every student, regardless of their needs, is an integral part of our school community. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their peers. Our inclusive approach means students in the Special Education Unit participate in mainstream classes and activities whenever possible. This integration fosters a sense of belonging and mutual respect among all students, helping to build a cohesive and supportive school culture.
Sensory Supports
Recognising that each child has unique sensory needs, our Special Education Unit is equipped with a variety of sensory supports. These include:
· Sensory Rooms: A specially designed space where students can regulate their sensory input through activities like swinging, bouncing, and tactile exploration.
· Calm Corners: Designated areas in each classroom where students can retreat to manage sensory overload, equipped with tools like weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, and stress balls.
· Flexible Seating: Options like stability balls, bean bags, and standing desks to help students maintain focus and comfort throughout the day.
These supports are tailored to help students with sensory processing challenges to stay engaged and comfortable, thereby enhancing their learning experience.
Individualised Care
Understanding that each child is unique, we offer Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students in our Special Education Unit. These plans are developed in collaboration with teachers, parents, and specialists to address the specific needs and goals of each student. Our dedicated team of special education teachers and support staff work closely with students to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. This individualised care ensures that every child receives the attention and support they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Multicategorical Classes
Our Special Education Unit features four Multicategorical classes designed to cater to students with a range of learning needs and disabilities. These classes provide:
· Tailored Curriculum: Customised lessons that align with each student's abilities and learning styles.
· Small Group Instruction: Allowing for more focused attention and support from teachers.
· Collaborative Learning: Opportunities for students to work together, fostering social skills and peer support.
Each Multicategorical class is staffed by highly trained educators who are committed to creating a positive and effective learning environment.
Early Intervention Class
We further offer applications for our Early Intervention class for preschool aged children, who require additional support at the start of their educational journey. Early Intervention (EI) is a specialised Preschool aged program for children with specific needs who meet Department of Education criteria, in the year prior to starting school. The class has a very structured routine that is tailored to the wide range of needs the students have. The class has a very structured routine that is tailored to the wide range of needs the students have. It incorporates such strategies as Key Word Sign, using visuals, using communication devices, providing physical prompts, developing social stories and providing explicit teaching of social skills and play skills.
This class focuses on:
· Developmental Milestones: Addressing key areas such as speech, motor skills, and social interaction.
· Play-Based Learning: Engaging activities that promote learning through play, which is essential for young children.
· Parental Involvement: Encouraging parents to be active participants in their child's education, ensuring consistency and support both at school and at home.
Children need to meet specific Department of Education criteria to apply for the Early Intervention Support Class and these may include:
- Severe expressive and/or receptive language delay
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Global Developmental Delay - Mild, Moderate or Severe *Intellectual Disability, including genetic conditions that may impact development
- Physical Disability
- Behaviour support needs
- Hearing impairment
- Vision impairment
Kingswood South is the only school that has an Early Intervention Support Class in the Penrith/Blue Mountains area and children come from many suburbs to the class. There are 21 positions available each year. If you are interested in seeing if your child is eligible, please gather any diagnosis paperwork you have and provide these to the Office by the end of August. A staff member will then contact you to discuss further and complete an application if required. The application then gets sent to an independent Department of Education Panel, who decide who is offered a position in the Early Intervention Program.
In Early Intervention, children attend 1 or 2 mornings a week from 9:15am - 11:45am and run by the Early Intervention Teacher and the Early Intervention Learning Support Officer.
Our Early Intervention class aims to give young learners the best possible start, setting the foundation for future success.
If you have an interest in our Special Education Unit for your child please contact the school office on 47362408.
For NSW public school information please visit our inclusive learning support hub and starting school with additional needs.