Students with disability
Every child or young person is welcome to learn at their local ACT public school. Our school is committed to removing barriers so all students can access learning. Quality teaching practice helps all students, and our teachers make adjustments for students who need them to ensure they successfully access and participate in learning and school activities.
Adjustments for students may include:
- providing extra visual cues and information
- breaking down tasks or presenting them in a different way
- providing more practice of learning tasks or repetition
- checking for understanding
- changes to the environment
- providing other ways for a student to communicate
- strategies to meet a student’s sensory needs
- access to quiet spaces to assist with regulation.
These adjustments might be made in a smaller group learning situation and at times the class teacher may be assisted by another educator.
Read more about how students with disability are supported in ACT public schools.
Melba Copland Secondary School provides additional support to students with learning difficulties through a range of programs and strategies. The level of support provided to students is determined through an Appraisal completed by Disability Education. An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is created for each student to assist staff in meeting their educational needs. The programs at MCSS include:
Learning Support Centre (Year 7 - 10)
Students in the Learning Support Centre (LSC) have their core classes - English, Mathematics, Science and Studies of Society and Environment - together. There are a maximum of 16 students in these classes and they are supported by a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) as well as the teacher. LSC students participate in with their peers Physical Education and Electives classes with some LSA support.
Inclusion Support Program (Year 7 - 12)
Students in the Inclusion Support Program (ISP) attend with their peers classes with Learning Support Assistants available in some of their classes.
Learning Support Unit (Year 11 - 12)
The LSU at MCSS follows the Department guidelines for student numbers and staffing. Through the LSU Step Ahead Programme students are able to work towards a Year 12 Certificate and engage in a College Business Enterprise providing opportunities to gain relevant functional skills, facilitating transition to the workplace.