Curriculum

At Highgate School we recognise that learning support and social/emotional support are equally important and that both contribute to the successful development of every child. We welcome parent volunteers to support these programs, through reading with students in the morning or working with small groups.

Specific intervention for learning, such as reading, writing and maths are provided through several approaches.

Initial intervention happens in the classroom and our teachers are highly skilled at using formative and summative assessments to determine the next steps of learning for each child. This is referred to as Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice (QDTP).

The next wave of intervention is determined through analysis of cohort data, individual assessments and discussions between teachers and parents.  The students who are offered this intervention are typically performing below age expectations in a particular area. Intervention is provided through small group support, with an adult and is designed to be short term, focusing on a specific outcome. This wave of intervention includes research-based programs as well as teacher-directed tasks. Parents are notified prior to the intervention commencing.  Some of these identified students will have One Plans which have been created between teacher and parent, usually with the involvement of the Assistant Principal for Wellbeing. A One Plan is a record of agreed goals and strategies that will be focused on and are often created following the diagnosis of a specific learning need such as dyslexia. These are reviewed termly.

The third wave of intervention is for students who have qualified for targeted funding through the IESP process.  The IESP application process is undertaken in collaboration between the school, parents and Department Support Services.  The students who receive this funding typically have multiple barriers to learning.  Depending on the level of funding, these students are provided with 1:1 adult support to focus on their One Plan goals during lesson time.

Other support areas include English as an Additional Language (EALD). This is a program that supports eligible students to improve their English language skills and complements the explicit teaching of English in classrooms.