Educational & Social Services

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Crosshouse Communication Centre

The Centre is a facility for P1 - P3 children with severe communication disorders including autism. It is located within Crosshouse Primary School and consists of two classrooms, a disabled toilet and office. There is an enclosed and secure playground.

Children are allocated a place through the Education Authority's assessment procedures.

The main aims of the centre are:

• to provide a safe and stress free environment which encourages independence in life and work skills
• to promote, by a variety of methods, functional communication and social interaction between pupils
• to assess accurately the strengths and needs of each pupil and so formulate an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) which will inform teaching priorities within areas of specific need
• to provide staff with opportiunities to increase their skills and knowledge of communication difficulties through in-service courses and sharing of expertise and good practice
• to ensure pupil access to 5- 14 curriculum where relevant, using a range of teaching approaches and resources and taking account of the learning style of the individual
• to apply a multi-disciplinary approach to the assessment, planning and delivery of the curriculum as indicated by the needs of the child
• to establish and maintain a close partnership with parents which will benefit all parties and ensure continuity of support for the child
• when and where appropriate, to facilitate each child's inclusion within their local mainstream primary school
• to ensure that all pupils are received as valued and respected members of Crosshouse Primary School, the wider community and the society to which they belong

Initial Assessment Profiling

Once a child has gained a place at the Centre through an admissions or Special Educational Needs Community Assessment Team meeting, there then follows a six to eight week period of multi-disciplinary assessment.

Ongoing Assessment

Assessment is an ongoing feature of this provision and frequent liaison and consultation with other professionals - particularly Speech and Language therapists (SLT) and Educational Psychologist - guarantee that each child's progress is regularly monitored.

Teaching Approaches

Within the Centre we employ a range of teaching techniques and approaches and use a variety of resources to meet the specific needs of individual pupils. Staff are flexible in their approach to teaching and adopt individual strategies as appropriate. We are always open to new ideas and approaches if we feel they will benefit the child.

Integration

When we feel a child is able to cope with both the social and curricular demands, a gradual process of supported integration to Crosshouse Primary will begin. Through a system of planning, involving close liaison and consultation between the class teacher, centre teacher and SLT, we hope to create the optimal conditions for success.

If a child is able to cope with an increased timetable of integration at Crosshouse, it may be time to consider a transfer to the child's designated school (local primary).

Parents as Partners

The staff in the Centre recognise and appreciate the important part parents play in the education of their children. You are our most important resource in terms of the unique knowledge and understanding you have of your child. We wish to promote a genuine partnership with you where we can work together to make your child's time at the centre as purposeful and sress free as possible.

In conclusion, your child's education and physical well being is very important to us and we hope that his/her time here will be purposeful and rewarding. To this end we value your input and support and wish to assure you again of our commitment to forging a genuine partnership which will facilitate your child's educational journey.

Contact the Centre on 01563 521459

Centre times are as follows: