At Pro Gratia our main objective is to guide learners to reaching their full potential as individuals. We follow a holistic approach and integrate therapeutic and remedial techniques into learners’ individual learning programmes (ILPs). Learners are permitted to progress at their own pace. Pro Gratia has 5 different phase groups or sections, which will be discussed in more detail hereafter.
Phase 1 – Early Childhood Development:
These learners are young, aged approximately 4 to 8 years, and experience more visible disabilities and are therefore identified and referred for Special Education at a young age (e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Treacher Collins Syndrome, partial blindness, hearing difficulties, Angelman’s Syndrome, Down’s Syndrome). These learners follow a regular ECD (Preschool) curriculum which is adapted to each learners’ individual needs and strengths.
Phase 2 – Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3)
These learners, aged approximately 7 to 10 years, follow the national CAPS curriculum which is adapted to each learner’s individual needs and strengths. Accommodations and adaptations are made. These grades are straddled and learners follow an individual learning plan. Teaching methods integrate the Montessori approach to education. Many learners are referred to us for Special Education during this phase due to them not progressing adequately in mainstream education. Their slow progress is often attributed to specific learning difficulties, behaviour problems, social problems, and/or intellectual- and other developmental delays.
Phase 3 – Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6)
These learners have met the Foundation Phase outcomes, as proposed by the CAPS curriculum, albeit adapted. They subsequently progress to an adapted CAPS Intermediate Phase curriculum to prepare them for the Senior Phase at our school. Learners in this phase are generally aged 10 to 13 years. At the age of 13 or 14 years our learners split into one of two senior phases, as described hereafter.
Phase 4 – Vocational CAPS Phase (otherwise known as the Technical-Occupational Phase)
This programme is similar to that of a School of Skills. These learners follow a Senior Phase adapted CAPS curriculum (Grades 6 to 9). Subjects are weighted according to relevance, and the grades are straddled. Accommodations and adaptations are made according to each learners’ individual needs.
Please note that these learners are not severely intellectually disabled, and generally only experience a Mild Intellectual Delay (MID), with comorbid learning difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. They receive academic (CAPS) tuition 50% of the day, and vocational skills training (Carpentry, Mixed Farming and Hospitality Studies – NQF level 2) the other 50% of the day.
On completion of this phase learners receive a Grade 9 level Certificate. The Certificate indicates that they have completed the Senior Phase academically (adapted CAPS), and it also outlines the skills they have acquired during this phase (NQF Level 2).
Phase 5 – Differentiated CAPS Phase (DCAPS)
These learners, once they have reached the age of 13 years, still find it difficult to master basic Foundation Phase Reading and Numeracy skills. They usually experience a more Severe Intellectual Delay (SID). They follow a Grade 1 to 5 DCAPS curriculum, where most of the focus is on equipping them with Practical Life Skills, enabling them to function as semi-independent adults when they reach maturity.
On completion of this phase, learners receive a Grade 5 level DCAPS Certificate, outlining the practical life skills and basic academic outcomes
they have achieved.
