Identifying Learning Support Needs
The paramount objective of the poari matua of Paparoa Street School is to ensure that every ākonga at the kura is able to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement. To meet the paramount objective, the poari matua meets the supporting objective of ensuring that the kura is inclusive of, and caters for, ākonga with differing needs (Education and Training Act 2020, s 127). To support student learning and achievement, we identify 
learning support needs as early as possible.
Learning support needs may include but are not limited to the following:
- physical disability
- intellectual disability
- delayed cognitive development
- neurodiversity and specific learning disabilities or difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, autism spectrum disorder)
- giftedness (i.e. high ability, aptitude, or competence in one or more areas, including academic, leadership, creative, and physical abilities; we note understandings of giftedness are diverse – e.g. concepts of giftedness may be grounded in kaupapa Māori)
- challenging behaviour
- speech, language, and communication needs
- physical or mental health conditions (e.g. high health needs and sensory impairments)
- English language needs (ELL/ESOL)
- high risk of disengagement (e.g. due to social and economic factors).
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Learning support 
How we identify learning support needs
The kura identifies learning support needs in a range of ways, which may include:
- monitoring ākonga achievement, progress, and engagement
- various tools, procedures, and observations
- consultation (e.g. with parents/caregivers, kaimahi kura, previous kura, support services, etc.)
- information from other professionals, including external agencies.
If kaimahi identify that an ākonga may need learning support, they discuss this with the individual needs coordinator, who may then refer the ākonga to an appropriate service, agency, professional, or programme.
Requests for learning support
If parents/caregivers or ākonga have concerns and/or identify a potential need for learning support, we encourage them to talk to the relevant person at our kura.
Parents/Caregivers and/or ākonga with concerns or queries about a need for learning support should raise these first with the kaiako, then the individual needs coordinator or the tumuaki.
Related policies
Legislation
- Education and Training Act 2020
- Human Rights Act 1993
- Privacy Act 2020
Resources
: Term 4 2025, Term 1 2024, Term 4 2020, Term 2 2020, Term 1 2019
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