ABOUT UNITY COLLEGE   educational ethos philosophy

The school’s philosophy is driven by its mission statement and revolves around the principle that each learner is unique. Each learner has a different personality, a different background and a different level of ability. Also our learners present with many levels of capability within the various learning areas. How they function in Literacy may vary to that of Numeracy. Bearing this in mind, the school uses as a core educational practice Individual Development Plans (I.D.P.) These I.D.P.’s aim to provide a high quality education for each learner. The team involved sets goals for each learner, on an academic, personal, social and emotional level. This approach, coupled with the number of learners per class allows for a great deal of individual attention, which is the cornerstone of the teaching at the school. Our learners are special. They are also so much more than the label of their disability. Everyone is challenged and this aids in the development of tolerance, support of one another and creates a sense of belonging. Education is aimed at developing the individual’s skills and not about what a particular learner looks like.

Educators complete term plans so that the learners cover and complete a variety of skills, practical, creative and thinking within a particular theme. Lesson material and the lessons themselves are aimed at the different levels of competency within the classroom and therapy situation. At Unity, it is definitely not a case that one level of education fits all. The emphasis is on an interactive, learner-centred approach with the educator as facilitator. At all times educators are encouraged to use varied resources so as to enhance the delivery of the lessons. All learners are encouraged to work to their maximum ability. Learners complete work individually as well as in groups (where similar needs have been identified according to the I.D.P. process). Work presented is differentiated within acceptable reason. At all times, the staff hold high expectations of each learner and work presented will be based on a realistic perspective on what we want them to achieve, rather than what they are achieving.

Within the various learning areas (such as Life Orientation, Literacy, Numeracy, Human Social Science etc.) all learners of a particular class cover the same topic, but the activities and work they will complete will be set according to their individual ability and understanding. Content and knowledge of a learning area is important for our learners, not only to enhance communication and general knowledge, but as importantly, as a Life Orientation and skill.

Learners are continuously assessed and advance to higher levels within a skill, according to what they are able to achieve individually. There may be times when a concept is not easily attained and different activities covering the same skill will be implemented. The assessment method may also vary according to a learner’s needs.

The teaching methodologies used at Unity College are dynamic and up to date. The emphasis of the school is not on providing learners with volumes of facts but rather on learning skills of independence and relevant facts for life. As part of a regular school environment, homework is given. Parents often think that by doing more of something the learner will overcome or outgrow the difficulty the learner experiences. We believe that homework is differentiated and must be relevant to the learner. More is not necessarily better.

Homework aims to achieve some of the following outcomes:

Unity follows the Revised National Curriculum Statement – Policies of 2002 and its broad band of outcomes for the various phases. All learners are unique and the diverse curriculum at the school allows for this difference. Although our curriculum has specific outcomes and ensures an ethical and high quality approach to skills development, we are in a process of continual assessment. In order to provide the best quality assurance for our learners, at times adjustments are made in what we offer our senior phase for vocational training.

The teaching of values is an integral part of the curriculum. In addition, the learners are required to be respectful, polite and courteous. The learners are expected to wear the correct school uniform at all times and to adhere to the school rules. It is only within a friendly, happy and disciplined environment that effective learning can take place.

At all times the learner, as an individual, pervades the thinking and management of the learners at Unity College. We constantly strive to empower the individual to be “The best (they) can be”! Our goal is to develop each learner’s potential and enhance their competence in order to equip our learners effectively for the future. Each future is created one step at a time.

“We are all designed with the potential to achieve greatness in our lives. Our potential is something no-one can measure completely, nor can anyone pre-determine the level of greatness another will achieve; but given the opportunity, we can all dream, aim and strive for a greatness beyond where we are now.”

Quote from B.K.A. “Designed for Greatness.”