Inclusive Education

The cornerstone of Inclusive Education at Gleeson College is the Thomas Learning Centre (TLC) – a part of the College specifically dedicated to helping students with special needs. The broad aim of the TLC is to cater for the individual needs and differences of our students so that they can achieve the best possible educational success in the ‘Pursuit of Excellence’.

In this space, students have the opportunity to work with staff to receive assistance with their work. Support is offered in a number of ways depending on student need. At times, students will be supported in class or in small groups in the TLC. Staff who work in the TLC support students in their understanding of the curriculum, and their capacity to express their abilities and knowledge.

The TLC offers more than academic support. Students may require assistance in learning strategies for developing as independent learners, organisational skills or time management skills. The TLC also offers a sensory space to support students with emotional regulation.

Student Support

Middle School

Targeted Literacy and Numeracy Intervention

Students may also be offered a place in our Targeted Literacy or Numeracy program depending on the level of need.

The Numeracy Intervention program aims to build automaticity in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This is an evidence-based approach, aiming to reduce the cognitive load of students to better enable them to cope with complex Mathematics problems in their mainstream classes.

The Literacy Intervention program is informed by scientific research of how students learn to read, sometimes referred to as the Science of Reading (SoR).  The intervention instruction utilises a Multi-sensory Structured Language (MSL) approach of direct, explicit instruction of language and literacy with the multi-sensory component of seeing, hearing and doing. Instruction is diagnostically designed for individual students based on student assessments and delivered in a structured, systematic but flexible way.

Personal Plan for Learning

Students who are identified as having additional learning needs are supported at Gleeson College with a document called a Personal Plan for Learning (PPL). The Inclusive Education team build these documents for students in consultation with teachers, Education Support Officers, the individual student, families and external providers. PPLs are made available to College staff to ensure all relevant professionals working with the student are aware of their learning needs, and appropriate adjustments required. Inclusive Education staff support Gleeson College teachers to provide adjusted assignments to meet individual student needs.

Senior School

The Inclusive Education team at Gleeson College work to support students with additional learning needs so that all students can achieve educational success.


Exam Support

The Inclusive Education Leader works closely with the Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning ensuring that students requiring special provisions in exams are catered for. Students may wish to apply for special provisions in SACE exams. To do this, students require professional diagnostic paperwork with recommendations as specified by the SACE Board. The Inclusive Education Leader is responsible for collating such paperwork and liaising with the Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning, and submitting these to the SACE Board of South Australia.


Personal Plan for Learning

Students who are identified as having additional learning needs are supported at Gleeson College with a document called a Personal Plan for Learning (PPL). The Inclusive Education team build these documents for students in consultation with teachers, ESO staff, the individual student, families and external providers. PPLs are made available to College staff to ensure all relevant professionals working with the student are aware of their learning needs, and appropriate adjustments required. Inclusive Education staff support Gleeson College teachers to provide adjusted assignments to meet individual student needs.

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