Leeming SHS Places : Education Support School

Leeming ESC is committed to developing in each student the ability to function as independently as possible in school, in the community, in the home and in the workplace.
Honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, self respect and respect for others are some of the values that underpin Leeming ESC and are supported and articulated in the Curriculum Framework document. In accord with Leeming Senior High School our motto is ‘Harmony and Excellence’.

• Map reading in Fremantle
• Learning money skills in shopping centres
• Growing food at Apace nurseries
• Visiting Edith Cowan University
• Learning shopping skills at Farmer Jacks
• Bike riding on Rottnest
• Catching the South Perth ferry

Are just a few of the many opportunities our students have had for activity based learning. In addition Functional English, particularly oral language, and Functional Mathematics are a core element in our curriculum.
With supportive parents the staff at Leeming Education Support Centre (ESC) have developed learning activities that have made life at school such a positive experience for our special needs students.
The Curriculum Framework and Overarching Learning Outcomes have been used by staff to develop an Integrated Curriculum to meet the needs of our students.

The Focus Areas of our Curriculum are:
           • Independent Living,
           • Leisure and Recreation and
           • Career Education.
Each semester parents meet with teachers to develop an Individual Education Plan that is outcomes orientated. These outcomes relate to skills that are needed in life, in work and in leisure. In addition, Leeming Senior High School teachers have been innovative in adapting their teaching to provide worthwhile learning activities for our students.

Leeming ESC is located on the campus of Leeming Senior High School. Leeming is an attractive residential suburb about 17km south of Perth CBD, in Western Australia. The campus occupies a large site with extensive playing fields together with access to a well-resourced Community Recreation Centre. The buildings are all single storey and all rooms are wheelchair accessible. Currently the ESC occupies three teaching areas in three separate locations. Students have access to all facilities on the campus including the library, science laboratories, technology workshops, computer rooms, home economic facilities and sports facilities.

Students are drawn from a wide area within the Cities of Melville, Cockburn and Canning. All students have been ascertained by Department of Education and Training Student Services (Educational Psychology) as having a significant degree of special needs. The majority of students are intellectually disabled. Students enrolled are from a diverse socioeconomic and cultural background. In total our students have come from nineteen different schools. At present five buses bring students to the school. Some parents have opted to transport their child to school.

Leeming Senior High School (SHS) opened in 1985 and Leeming ESC opened in 1996. Previously two ES units enrolled students with special needs. Enrolments have increased steadily to forty students. The majority of students are now of post-compulsory school age.

Most teachers at Leeming ESC have over twenty years experience in a variety of educational settings. All teachers have qualifications in Special Education at fourth year Bachelor of Education level. Two teachers are currently undertaking post-graduate study and three teachers have a Master of Education degree. In 2004, 40% of the teaching staff is new to the school.

General staff include a Registrar, a social trainer and seven Education Assistants. Regular professional development is provided primarily through our School Development Days. All non-teaching staff have had many years experience of working with a range of students with special needs.
Most staff has completed TAFE or Edith Cowan University Teacher Assistant courses. In addition some staff have a Social Trainers certificate and enrolled nurse qualification.

Our students have Individual Education Plans (Year 8 – 10) and Individual Transition Plans (Year 11 – 12) that are designed by their homeroom teacher in consultation with parents. The IEPs / ITPs are based on the three Focus Areas of Leeming ESCs integrated curriculum viz. Leisure and Recreation, Career Education and Independent Living. Staff are committed to providing quality learning opportunities that will help our students achieve the Overarching Learning Outcomes of the Curriculum Framework.
Notable aspects of our program in 2003 – 2004 are:

• Community Base Learning
• Transport Training
• TAFE partnership (Certificate 1 in Work Education and Certificate 11 in Business)
• Structured Workplace Learning (Enclaves, Business Services and open employment)
• School Based Enterprise Studies (recycling, herb growing, bulk mail)

In class learning continue in the areas of functional reading and functional maths (particularly money skills). Teaching and learning is directed towards providing opportunities for the generalisation and maintenance of skills learnt in the classroom.

Leeming SHS specialist teachers teach Leeming ESC students for about 25% of their time at school. Programs are provided in the learning areas of Art, Business Education, Design and Technology, French, Home Economics, Physical Education and Science. Generally these programs are taught in discrete and small education support groups in parallel to the Leeming SHS programs. Leeming SHS teachers have modified their teaching to meet the needs of our students with a particular emphasis on skills needed when they leave school.

Staffs continue to be innovative in developing programs that will prepare our students for life after school.
The following are examples of some recent initiatives and highlights:

• Participation in Edith Cowan University Pre Service Education Program (our students’ involvement was detailed by Dr Chris Forlin in the International Journal of Learning Vol 10, 2003).
• Leeming Environmental Enterprises.
• Student attendance at TAFE Leederville.
• People 1st Program ‘Be Cool, Be Safe’–supporting students in self-esteem, human relationships, protective behaviours and sexuality.
• Camp Mornington challenge week.
• Kalgoorlie Camp by train.
• Greenhouse project.
• Establishment of work enclaves (Aged Care, Meals on Wheels, Crazy Clarks. Anglicare).
• School Based Traineeships in collaboration with Edge Employment and Swan TAFE.
• Point Walter recreation program.
• Girls Business in collaboration with Leeming SHS school nurse.
• Graduation ceremony at EFYC.
• APACE gardening.
• Visits to factories (Peters and Coca Cola)

During the year Post School Options (a joint Commonwealth and State initiative for school leavers with disabilities) provide a forum at Leeming ESC to discuss pathways to the future. Subsequently interviews are conducted with school staff, the students and parents to discuss possible options. In 2003 six students graduated from year 12. Five students gained work at a Business Service Agency (Activ and Good Samaritan Industries) and one student has started a painting apprenticeship and attends TAFE part time.

Leeming Senior High School
Educational Support School
Aulberry Parade, Leeming
Western Australia, 6149
Telephone: (08) 9313 5470 Fax: (08) 9313 5408