Referral Procedures and Further Assessment

First Year Screening:

As mentioned in the first year SFL support section we use the Cognitive Ability Test 4 (CAT4) as our entrance assessment with all incoming first year students which assesses in four areas:

  • Non-verbal Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitive Reasoning
  • Spatial Ability

It is a diagnostic assessment that is designed to help students and their teachers understand how they learn and what their academic potential might be. It assesses how students think in areas that are known to make a difference to learning. While many tests focus on a child’s attainment in core subjects, CAT4 is designed to give schools a much broader, more rounded view of each child, their potential and how they learn. Results help teachers decide about the pace of learning that is right for a student and whether additional support or challenge is needed.

Teacher Referral Process:

During the course of the year at any stage a teacher may feel that there is a developing need that may need further assessment or support. They will make a written referral to the SFL Co-ordinator outlining the cause for concern and any interventions they themselves have tried to introduce to date.

Upon receipt of that referral the SFL Co-ordinator will carry out a basic spelling and word reading test to ascertain if the student meets the criteria for support as set out for access to  Reasonable Accommodations Support by the States Exams Commission. Once these have been completed and assessed and if it is felt that further testing is needed we will again contact parents for discussion ahead of further steps being taken.

Parent Referral Process:

If at any time a parent feels that there may be an unidentified need emerging they can themselves contact the SFL Co-ordinator directly and ask for assistance and support in assessing their child.

You can contact the SFL department by: