The Educational Support Unit of Bishop’s College works to support the learning of students with various special educational needs in the general education classrooms. Students could have special educational needs that are temporary (eg. Movement difficulties due to an injured leg/hand) or long term (eg: developmental disability from birth). It also focuses on supporting the teachers working in the classrooms, parents and other students as they learn and play alongside their peers with special needs.

The Educational Support unit was established at Bishop’s College in the year 2004 with the decision to support the learning of students with special needs in the school. This move made the teachers also take a closer look at students already within the school system, who were having challenges in achieving their potential in the general education classrooms. The philosophy is to support the learning of all students echoing the international call for ‘no one left behind’.  In order to do this we have had to establish a practical, workable and progressive form of Inclusive education suited to Sri Lanka, at Bishop’s College.

Support for Parents

·         Awareness raising workshops & presentations

·         Discussions and meetings with ESU staff to discuss concerns regarding one’s child

·         Provision of literature for parents

·         Provision of a communication book between school and home to provide parent with weekly updates of child’s progress in school

·         Meetings to discuss educational goals for child

 

Support for student with special educational needs

·         IEPs for each child modifying classroom targets to suit special educational needs of each individual child

·         Individual and group sessions at the ESU with educators other para professionals

·         Support at school examinations

·         Support in socialization and play during intervals and extra curricular activities

·         Support during special school functions, festivals and events to increase participation

 

Support for Teachers

·         Discussions with ESU staff for understanding each child and their individual special needs

·         Support in modifying the classroom work for students with special needs by ESU staff designing IEPs

·         Support by ESU staff modifying examinations and assessments with the teachers

·         Support from ESU staff during special school functions, festivals and events to increase participation of children with special educational needs

 

Staff at the ESU

 

2004    –          Teacher in charge of ESU – Ms. Cheryl Seneviratne

Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera -  Speech and Language Therapist

-                      Ms.. Helen Simms – Occupational Therapist from Britan

 

2005    –          Teacher in charge of ESU – Ms. Saaminda Kuruppu

Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera - Speech and Language Therapist

-                      Ms.. Helen Simms – Occupational Therapist from Britan

 

 

2006    –          Teacher in charge of ESU – Ms. Saaminda Kuruppu

Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera - Speech and Language Therapist

-                      Ms.. Helen Simms – Occupational Therapist from Britan

 

2007    –          Teacher in charge of ESU – Ms. Saaminda Kuruppu (left in Term 1)

                                                                                          Ms.. Niluka Tennakoon ( Joined in Term 1 & left inTerm 3)

                                                                                          Ms. Shaheena Akbarally ( joined in Term 2)

                            Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera - Speech and Language Therapist

-                      Ms.. Helen Simms – Occupational Therapist from Britan

 

2008    –          Teacher in charge of ESU –  Ms. Shaheena Akbarally

                             Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera - Speech and Language Therapist

-                      Ms. Indu Kumarasinghe - Speech and Language Therapist

       Volunteer Staff

-                 Tamara Mohinani

 

2009    –          Teacher in charge of ESU –   Ms. Shaheena Akbarally (left in Term 1)

                                                                                            Ms.. Shazra

Para professional staff –

-                      Ms. Ianthe Perera - Speech and Language Therapist

                       -               Ms.. Surani Nakkawita – Speech and Language Therapist

       Volunteer Staff

-             Tamara Mohinani

-             Dhammika