About Jordanstown Schools
Jordanstown Schools provide a specialist education for children with an auditory and/or visual impairment aged from 4-19 years of age. We are a co-educational and non- denominational school. The pupils, who have a wide range of abilities, come from across Northern Ireland and from other parts of Ireland.
The Schools are situated approximately eight miles north of Belfast. Our proximity to major roads means that most of the pupils can attend on a daily basis, with other pupils boarding on a weekly basis for four or five nights.
We provide a broad and balanced curriculum, suited to the needs of all pupils. This means that for those who can undertake public examinations the emphasis is placed on academic achievement. For the less academically able we design a curriculum to meet individual needs and to promote the development of basic skills.
All of our teachers, classroom assistants and residential staff are trained and experienced in working with pupils who have a sensory impairment. In addition, all permanent teachers hold a specialist qualification in teaching children with either auditory or visual impairments, in fact several have obtained both qualifications. Members of staff working with the pupils who have an auditory impairment hold sign language qualifications.
Auditory Impaired Pupils
In order to promote the maximum acquisition of language and allow auditory impaired pupils to gain confidence in their communication skills, the teaching approach used is Total Communication. This combines the use of speech, hearing aids/cochlear implants, Inspiro FM systems, lip- reading, finger spelling and Signed English. This enables our pupils to develop their language and gain confidence in their communication skills by using signs to follow the normal word order and grammar of English. A language assistant is available to assist teachers develop the pupils signed vocabulary and improve reading and writing skills.
Visually Impaired Pupils
Teaching materials for the pupils with visual impairments are produced in enlarged print, Braille tactile and taped format, depending on the pupil's needs. Pupils who are partially sighted use closed circuit televisions and TV readers to magnify print. Those who use Braille, are introduced to Braille -N Speak note takers in the secondary department.
The schools are also responsible for the development and provision of two specialist outreach services for the sensory impaired - The Outreach Service for the Visually Impaired and the Sensory Impaired Learning Support Service.
Speech Therapy
The School provides Specialist Speech and Language Therapy to pupils with a hearing impairment. When your child starts Jordanstown Schools we will ask you for permission to assess your child's communication needs and if it is decided that your child needs Speech and Language Therapy we can discuss the most appropriate way of providing this. Read more...
Classroom Support
The Schools have an excellent staff to pupil ratio and all of our classroom assistants are trained and experienced in working with pupils who have a sensory impairment Read more...
Special Equipment
Advances in technology have opened many opportunities for children with sensory impairments. As such, we try to ensure that a wide range of equipment and resources are available to facilitate learning for our pupils. Read more...
Residential Facilities
A new residential block is currently under development. More details to follow.Read more...
In addition the School also holds Audiology and low vision clinics in partnership with the Royal Victoria Hospital.