Pastoral Care

The inclusive, child-centred environment of St Louis Grammar School endeavours to provide and implement a variety of learning support measures to meet the needs of learners, including those with Special Educational Needs so that they can overcome barriers to learning. Special Educational Needs is a multi-faceted concept and within St Louis the Learning Support Co-Ordinator will outline provision which will be implemented at a whole school level to meet the academic, physical, emotional and social needs of all pupils.

Learning Support within St Louis provides the framework for the whole school to assume responsibility for inclusion matters and ensures accessibility to all areas of the curriculum. Students with Special Educational Needs are assisted in accessing the curriculum through whole class provision, in-class support and some withdrawal provision for both Literacy and Numeracy. Communication with students and parents/guardians is vital to assessing, monitoring and reviewing the progress of our students with additional needs.

Students with additional learning needs may also require access arrangements for internal and external examinations. The Learning Support Co-Ordinator and the Examinations Officer will work closely with class teachers to determine appropriate provision to ensure all students have equal opportunities when completing examinations.

The Learning Support Co-Ordinator will work closely with Learning Support assistants to deliver high quality SEN provision to enable all students to flourish.

"FOR PUPILS BY PUPILS”

St Louis Ballymena’s motto "Ut Sint Unum” that we may all be one, reinforces our St Louis family value system and family centred approach to education. This motto also highlights our belief in the importance of Student Voice within our school. St Louis dedication to involving our students in our decision making process; contributes to this motto on a daily basis.

The aim of the School Council in St Louis Grammar Ballymena is to encourage all pupils to play an active, conscious,democratic role in their school community.

SCHOOL COUNCIL VISION:

"A Student Council is a representative structure for students only, through which they can become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and its students”

(The following Vision statement has been created by School Council members)

Through the school Council it is our vision to:

• Develop confident and articulate students who are willing and able to speak up about their ideas, and work together to put ideas into action
• Good behaviour from students who are proud of their school and what it achieves
• Students that are keen to learn and take responsibility for aspects of their learning
• Improved learning and teaching (teachers who give students a say on their learning are more flexible, adaptable and able to meet the needs of students)
• A happy and cohesive school community that raises aspirations for students at the school
• Positive relationships between students and staff
• Develop and evolve to meet the needs of all students and develop new strategies that encourage all students to submit ideas and opinions

We believe:

• All students should feel safe, involved, happy, confident, belonging, valued, comfortable, challenged, and motivated
• That the council should involve students from each year group, both boys and girls and should value the opinion of all its members and all pupils in the whole school community; representing everyone equally regardless of gender, age or background

Through our vision and beliefs we aim to work towards our school community’s shared goals and aspirations and promote excellence, endeavour and empowerment.

St Louis Grammar School’s commitment to promoting positive mental health has resulted in the school being awarded with an Investor in Mental Health Award!

Investors in Mental Health is an initiative from AWARE, the Depression Charity for Northern Ireland, that recognises and celebrates individuals, schools and organisations making significant contributions to improving mental health within their field.

AWARE will annually recognise “Investors in Mental Health” and make a presentation to organisations or individuals. The award will take the form of a framed certificate and permission to use the Investors in Mental Health logo.