Academic Support Programme Policy

See Also: Academic Support Programme for schedule information.


 * 1) The Academic Support Programme (ASP) is an important part of the College’s need for Academic Excellence. Therefore, it must be seen as a necessary part of College life which is expected and respected.
 * 2) ASP has been set up by the College with the intention of creating an opportunity for all pupils to have an avenue of academic support. It must be noted that ASP takes the form of:
 * 3) Compulsory ASP – continuous skills taught by any member of a Department whereby the support is required. This will apply to pupils who have been highlighted by the Grade Tutor or the subject teacher to improve in specific subjects or areas. Regular attendance by the pupil placed in compulsory ASP is required.
 * 4) General ASP – for pupils with specific needs in a particular area or who need to acquire or develop a skill.
 * 5) The ASP sessions can take place before or after school. This will be at the discretion of the subject teacher. The pupil’s extra mural timetable will also be considered where necessary.
 * 6) The afternoon ASP sessions will take place directly after school from 2.40 pm, before the extra mural practices begin. ASP takes preference for 40 minutes after school, then the extra mural can commence. In the case of a match taking place on the day of ASP, the match will take preference and the ASP session can be re-scheduled to a convenient time for teacher and pupil.
 * 7) It is the responsibility of the pupil to approach the subject teacher to discuss the need for ASP and then set up an appointment if necessary. However, the subject teacher may also approach a pupil if they think that ASP is required to assist pupils with a specific section of work or skills development.
 * 8) The ASP session can be conducted by the subject teacher or another member of the subject Department. The pupil does not necessarily need to go to their specific subject teacher in order to receive ASP. However, the pupil must inform the subject teacher of the attendance in another teacher’s ASP to enable the subject teacher to monitor the pupil’s progress.
 * 9) The pupil is expected to be punctual. The pupil may not enter the ASP session if they are 10 minutes or more late as this is disruptive for the other pupils attending the ASP session. Another session will have to be arranged that will be convenient for the pupil and teacher.
 * 10) An attendance register must be kept by the teacher conducting the ASP session. This register will be checked by the Grade Tutor and the Head of Academics to ensure that pupils with specific academic needs are receiving the necessary support and to identify pupils who need further academic intervention. Pupils who need further academic support must be referred to the Head of Learner Support for further intervention.
 * 11) ASP sessions will be structured and focused. Therefore, pupils must prepare for ASP sessions by either completing assessment tasks given to them by the subject teacher or going through worksheets and / or notes and documenting questions or queries to bring to the subject teacher at the ASP session.
 * 12) Pupils who are academically weak or may be in danger of failing the term may be approached to attend compulsory ASP for a specified period of time. This arrangement will take precedence over all other extra-mural commitments.