St. Aloysius’ College

Academic Support

Academic Tracking 

Each year we carry out academic tracking at St. ALoysius College utilising the Athena tracker linking student capacity to actual performance. We use this information in subject department planning to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve and enhance teaching methodologies used to assist our students and help them perform to the best of their ability. 

We also use this information when meeting our students for one-to-one coaching appointments - scroll down to learn more.

Academic Coaching

At St. Aloysius’ College, we are committed to providing our students with the support and resources they need to succeed academically and personally. We recognise the value of Academic Coaching as a means to foster growth and maximise student achievement and potential. Coaching enhances academic performance, wellbeing, and the overall development of secondary school students.

Coaching sessions provide students with personalised support, help them set and achieve their goals, develop essential skills and allow students to navigate their academic journey successfully. The school identifies students in need of academic coaching through a combination of teacher recommendations, academic performance data and self-referrals. Priority is given to students sitting state examinations. 

Coaching can help students with time management, procrastination, change in habits, performance management, goal-setting, motivation, action plans, self-awareness, self-management, study skills and development of critical thinking.

Other Supports Offered

  • Our Student Support Teams work by monitoring the wellbeing of our students, reviewing and tracking their personal, social and academic progress. There is a Junior and Senior Support team that meets weekly and this includes the Principal, Junior or Senior Deputy Principal, Junior or Senior Year Heads, Chaplain, Guidance Counsellor and AEN Coordinator. 

    In these meetings, the team discusses the unique needs of individual students and work collaboratively to coordinate the resources available and ensure care for each of out students.

  • In St. Aloysius’ College our Guidance Team is here to support students throughout their journey at St. Al’s. 

    Our Guidance Counsellors work closely with 1st Year students to ease their transition into secondary school, coordinate the Friends for Youth programme for 2nd Year students, and provide weekly Career Guidance classes for all students in 3rd Year, TY, 5th and 6th Year. 

    For more information on our individual guidance, coaching, chaplaincy, and counselling services, please refer to our Guidance & Support Guidelines in our Policy Hub.

    For our Senior Cycle students, we offer individual one-on-one Career Guidance appointments during TY, 5th, and 6th Year. 

    These sessions help students with:

    • CAO/CAS application planning

    • UCAS/EUNICAS application support

    • HEAR/DARE advice

    • Scholarship application support

    Our goal is to ensure every student feels confident and well-prepared as they plan for their future education and career pathways.

  • At St. Al's, we are committed to providing comprehensive support for students with Additional Educational Needs (AEN), ensuring every student has access to a full and enriching education. Our AEN Coordinator works closely with subject teachers, students, and parents to develop support plans tailored to individual learning needs. These plans may include in-class support, team-teaching, small group instruction, or one-on-one interventions, depending on the student's requirements.

    We strive to create an inclusive environment where students of all abilities feel valued and empowered to succeed. Through regular assessment and feedback, we monitor each student’s progress and adjust support strategies as necessary. In addition, we provide support for student applications for access to assistive technologies, reasonable  accommodations for exams, and access to specialist resources where needed.

    We also work in partnership with external agencies to access further resources and specialised services. With a focus on differentiated learning, our goal is to foster independence, self-confidence, and academic success for all our students.

  • Our goal is to maintain open communication with our parents and guardians to ensure our students receive the support they need to thrive in St. Aloysius’ College.

    We hold Parent-Teacher meetings for each year group from 1st to 5th year and in 6th-year our students are welcome to attend alongside their parents. 

    Additionally, parents can schedule one-on-one appointments with their daughters Year Head or relevant school Deputy Principal at a suitable time. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to keep open lines of communication about academic development and personal circumstances.