Additional learning support

At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.

Support that fits your child's needs

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments that suits each child’s needs.

Support Unit

The Prairiewood High School Support Unit caters to students with moderate intellectual disabilities and Autism across four classes, each led by a key teacher and supported by the Head Teacher (HT) Support and Student Support Learning Officers (SLSOs). The Unit focuses on innovative, differentiated teaching to meet diverse learning needs, emphasising core life skills in literacy, numeracy, wellbeing, transition, and community access. Students receive targeted intervention with intensive literacy and numeracy support, monitored through data tracking. Weekly or fortnightly travel training helps develop real-world skills in community settings such as shopping centres and libraries. The Unit also runs a weekly café, providing a simulated hospitality workplace experience. Transition support includes parent meetings and school visits, while post-school plans involve the Support Teacher Transition (STT) for tailored guidance. Collaboration with Allied Health professionals and personalised learning plans (PLaSPs) ensure comprehensive support. Additional facilities include a sensory room and assistance through the Assisted School Transport Program (ASTP).

Case Study: VET for Secondary Students - Support students obtain a Statement of Attainment in Hospitality

Learning and support team

Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff.

Our learning and support team includes:

• learning and support teachers
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors
• school psychologists

• student support officers

• itinerant teachers for vision or hearing

• English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers

• Aboriginal education officers

• community and home school liaison officers

  The school administers various testing and support programs to enhance student learning. The HSC Minimum Standards Tests assess Year 10-12 students online to ensure literacy and numeracy proficiency. Check-in Assessments, for Years 7-9, are multiple-choice and aligned with literacy and numeracy progressions; students receiving Small Group Tuition must participate. NAPLAN tests Year 7 and 9 students in language conventions, reading, writing, and numeracy.

  Data collection includes the Annual EAL/D Survey, mapping students according to language development stages using work samples and teacher judgement, and the NCCD, which tracks students needing adjustments for disabilities or learning needs.

  Individual support options include Access Requests for alternate settings or additional funding, 6-7 Transition visits to primary schools, and a Homework Centre running weekly. Targeted programs include QuickSmart for literacy/numeracy difficulties, MultiLit for intensive reading support, Small Group Tuition for Years 7-9, and EAL/D Learning Foundations for intensive English support.

Contact us to meet with a member of this team to talk about your child’s strengths, interests and areas where they may need support.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.

Contact us