Our Services
Discover our diverse range of services designed to provide students with hands-on experiences and their development. Our initiatives focus on Auxiliary services, Learner Support, Development and Technology.
A full suite of services to help students and staff thrive.
Auxiliary Services
School Doctor
The school is in the very fortunate position that a medical doctor volunteers her services bi-weekly to the school. She attends to all medical and medication needs of our learners.
School Nurse
The school has the services of a full time Nursing Sister on our establishment. She sees to the day-to-day medical and medication needs of our learners.
Class Assistants
Most classes have the services of highly trained and experienced Class Assistants. The assistants support the learners in the acquisition of self-help skills. They also assist the teacher with various class and education activities and accompany learners on excursions and on the buses to and from home.
Transport
The school has a fleet of five buses on five routes used for the transport of some learners to and from school on a daily basis. Bus routes have strict pick-up/drop-off points. The buses are also used for excursions.
Student Training
Student educators as well as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy students from local universities presently use the facilities for training and research.
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International Students
Students from various overseas countries volunteer their services on a regular basis.
Learner Support
All learners are assessed annually to determine the need for enrichment, extended or adjusted learning support. Learners are grouped in classes where their strengths are developed optimally.
Outreach Team
A team of therapists and educator reps provide support to learners who are not in school, either due to medical intervention, an illness or space restrictions for new admissions.
Communication
We have many learners who are not able to communicate effectively. This may be due to a physical or cognitive disability or due to a developmental delay. We address each case differently and devise individual programmes.
We provide non-verbal learners with Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices or programmes. These could be either high tech (specialised programmes, software, eye-tracking devices, text-to-speech, etc) or low tech (communication boards, visual grids, graphics, pictorial cues). Where learners have adequate hand function they are taught hand signs. At Bel Porto we use the Makaton sign language.
We have placed computers in all the classrooms for the use of non-verbal learners. Where needed we use communication software, Clicker4. This enables learners to participate in class and therapy discussions and activities.
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Literacy
Learners who have indicated potential in this area are provided with a formal reading programme. We use the Letterland phonic programme and then progress to more complex work. We emphasise functional comprehension for application in the world of work, whether the open or protected labour market
Activity Centres for Development
The old hostel complex, which was our Activity Centre, is dedicated to the ASD programme, Computer and Server Room, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. It also serves as an Assessment centre.
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Vocational Development Centre
The old workshop area is dedicated to the Vocational Training of our learners, with a Recycling Workshop, a Post-Production area for preparing garden produce, packaging and a Arts and Crafts section.
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Multi-Purpose Hall and serving area
During the day this area is used by learners and educators for various activities, including, inter alia, meetings; cultural activities, particularly singing and performing arts and other indoor recreational activities. This venue is also used for meetings, workshops, exhibitions and seminars focused on the development of skills in a variety of areas which directly and indirectly benefit the Bel Porto community. Much needed Fundraising events also take place here. Requests for hall rental can be sent to admin@belporto.org.za Terms and conditions apply
Technology
To support lessons, vocational training and/or therapy for learners during school hours.
The training of staff in the utilization of technology to enhance their teaching/training capacity.
To develop systems and/or facilities which can be used to the benefit of the Bel Porto community or other schools.
After school hours training of staff and parents in the use of technology for development and/or therapy for people with disabilities.
We have a part-time Computer Teacher who takes learners for lessons. He also “doubles up” as our go-to IT troubleshooter.
Interactive Whiteboards:
A dedicated “Whiteboard Room” is used for interactive educational sessions.
These sessions are presented most ably by a previous learner from Bel Porto.
