Additional Support Needs Provision

About Our Provision- Supported classes

Within our Additional Support Needs Provision we have eight classes, which we refer to as 'Supported Classes'.  The provision caters for up to 78 pupils across Aberdeen City who have a range of additional Support Needs, from moderate to complex.  as children move up the school we often composite the classes, matching children with similar interests and needs from different year groups.  All classes have a mix of different abilities and needs, but grouping children in this way can help them to learn to develop social and collaborative skills with like-minded peers.  

 We will be ensuring we have good knowledge of your child and their needs through communication with the various nursery settings the children will transition from, as well as by seeking information from yourselves.  Hopefully you will have visited the school prior to asking for your child to be referred for a place, and will have an idea of our set-up.  Within each class there is a maximum of 10 children and a number of staff in the class to support.  In Primary One we usually have a teacher, an early years practitioner and some pupil support assistants in each class. 

As the children start school there will be a mix of play-based learning, similar to what they have experienced in nursery, as well as building them up to experience more formal desk-based tasks.  All activities will be based on the developmental needs of the children, and we focus on all areas of development, including their social, emotional and self-help skills.  Each pupil has a Child's Plan detailing their strengths and needs, and these will contain targets focusing on key areas that are important for the individual.   Many of our pupils have communication needs and staff are all familiar with using communication tools such as PECS, Makaton, Pixon, PODD and high tech devices.  We work closely with outside agencies who are involved with your children such as Speech and Language Therapy, and any support they are receiving in their current setting will continue, although may involve different professionals.

In school we are lucky to have a number of additional facilities such as our Soft Play and Sensory rooms.  These are timetabled for all pupils who will benefit from their use, and our younger classes will usually access these once or twice a week.  We also have a sensory garden and a wildlife garden, which are gated areas, and the classes often access these for outdoor and exploratory play.