Saplings Goresbridge Curriculum
At Saplings we strive to provide a high standard of teaching and learning within a positive and enriching learning environment. Each child will have an Individual Education Plan which is developed in conjunction with parents and is specific to the holistic needs of the child. Our Teachers use the Primary School Curriculum (1999), the Primary Language Curriculum, the Guidelines for Teaching Students with Mild, Moderate and Severe to Profound General Learning Difficulties and the Junior Cycle Level 1 and 2 as appropriate to each child.
Our curriculum is presented in six areas, some of which are further subdivided into subjects. These are:
- Communication & Language – Communication, Reading and Writing
- Mathematics
- Social, Environmental, and Scientific Education (SESE)- History, Geography and Science
- Arts Education- Visual Arts, Music and Drama
- Physical Education
- Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE).
First Steps
The rates of progress of children can vary greatly. We try to give our students an opportunity to move forward at their own pace. The first year therefore, is mainly about settling in, relating to others, making friends, feeling happy and gradually getting used to the routine of the school. We prepare children for learning by developing communication skills; ability to attend; learning through play; co-operating with teachers and turn-taking in class; through working with others and independently where possible.
Children are assessed by a multi-disciplinary team, and Individual Education Plans and Behaviour Support Plans are designed in conjunction with parents, in the second half-term of the first year. The school behaviour analyst will collect data on IEP goals and this will be reviewed regularly by all staff and shared with parents.