Support for learning is a nurturing and achieving environment, allowing students to grow into strong individuals with a sense of belonging.

Our ethos is one of respect for others and the celebration of all achievements.

Additional Support Needs

Our main goal is to have a positive impact and to make a positive difference in the lives of students with additional support needs. Through high quality learning and teaching from our committed and caring staff.

An additional support need comes from anything which is a barrier to learning. Students can need additional support for a wide variety of reasons during their education. This can be temporary or long-term.

Most, or all, schools will have some children with additional support needs of some kind. Our Students are supported by class teachers and a team of teaching and non-teaching staff, who work in partnership with parents and carers.

The education authority has many legal duties towards pupils with additional support needs.

Information about this is contained in a booklet called In On The Act: Information For The General Public which is published on the website at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2004/4/contents

At Dunbar Grammar School, our aim is to help all our students achieve the following:

• • Successful learners

  • Confident individuals

  • Responsible citizens

  • Effective contributors

In order to achieve this we aim to

• • Provide students with the opportunity to experience a high quality education and relevant curriculum combining teaching and learning strategies specific to their learning needs.

  • Students are provided with the opportunity to experience a broad and relevant curriculum which takes account of their individual needs.

  • To create an atmosphere of learning in a well-resourced teaching environment ensuring enjoyment and challenge.

  • To demonstrate mutual respect.

  • To enrich students experiences through the support and involvement of families and the wider community.

  • Provide a caring and stimulating learning environment where students feel valued as individuals and respected, where successes and achievements are celebrated.

  • Ensure staff have high expectations both of themselves and of the students based on a sound knowledge of pupils’ learning needs, ensuring that the needs of the individual are at the centre of everything we do.

  • Deliver a challenging curriculum so each student reaches his or her potential.

  • Continue to work in partnership and use the expertise of other professionals, parents and carers to enhance the teaching and learning process ensuring students needs are recognised and develop consistently.

  • Actively involve students in the learning process so that they can be as independent as possible and develop to the best of their ability.

  • Students are provided with the opportunity to learn through a range of real life experiences, taking part in activities in school and the local community to develop skills for learning, life and work.

  • Ensure that all pupils have an equal opportunity to achieve excellence, to have the highest expectations set for them and to have their achievements valued in the environment which suits them best.

We support students by:

• • Working closely with class teachers to adapt their courses for pupils with additional support needs (ASN).

  • Gathering information about students individual support needs.

  • Sharing information with class teachers about student support needs.

  • Continually assessing and planning for pupils with ASN.

  • Training staff and help pupils use technology to support learning.

  • Making alternative arrangements for exams.

  • Helping students use technology to support learning.

  • Providing a break and lunch club for pupils with ASN.

  • Making alternative assessment arrangements.

  • Set appropriate individualised learning outcomes, which are shared, evaluated and regularly updated.

For pupils who need further support:

• • Boosting reading, writing and spelling skills through the Accelerated Reading Programme.

  • Providing extra adult specialist support staff in class.

  • Additional reading teaching and support with literacy and numeracy.

  • Additional study in a quiet learning environment with specialist support staff.

  • We provide support in class

  • We provide additional study support out of class

  • We provide supported  homework clubs

  • We provide supported break and lunch clubs

  • We provide additional teaching in numeracy and literacy, either one to one support or in small groups.

  • We share information with class teachers regarding students using outside agencies if necessary.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Information 

We have a dedicated team of Guidance staff here at DGS who want to help your young person make the best of their time at school. Money should be no barrier. If you are worried about the cost of school, please get in contact with us via pupilsupport@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

1. Times are tight for everyone. If you’re struggling for money and finding it hard to support your children as well as you’d like to, it’s better to seek help before reaching crisis point #ItsOkayToAsk

2. When money is tight it can be difficult to care for your kids as well as you’d like to. There is support available so don’t wait until things have reached breaking point #ItsOkayToAsk

3. Not having enough money can be a big problem when you’re trying to look after your kids. If you’re really struggling, don’t wait until breaking point - reach out for support #ItsOkayToAsk

4. Some families are having serious money worries. If you are finding it difficult to look after your children because of lack of cash, there is help available #ItsOkayToAsk

5. Finding enough money for food can be really tough during the cost of living crisis. If you’re struggling to feed your children, don’t wait, there is help available #ItsOkayToAsk

6. There’s not much money around and families are having to make tough decisions about what food to buy. If you’re finding it hard to feed your children, don’t struggle alone, there is some support #ItsOkayToAsk

7. Paying for heating and lighting is going to be tough for many families this winter. If you’re struggling to keep yourself and your kids warm, don’t wait until you’re reached crisis point, there is help available #ItsOkayToAsk

8. Finding enough cash to keep yourself and your children warm this winter might be a challenge. Don’t wait until you’ve reached crisis point before asking for help. #ItsOkayToAsk

9. Times are tough. Many families only have enough money for absolute essentials. If you’re finding it hard to pay for things your children need, reach out for support. #ItsOkayToAsk

10. When you’re short of cash it can be hard to afford anything except absolute essentials for your family. If you’re struggling to buy things your children need, don’t wait until you’re in crisis #ItsOkayToAsk

For any concern about your wellbeing or the wellbeing of others email:

admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

If you have concerns about the wellbeing and safety of anyone else in the school community, you  can support them by speaking to a trusted adult in school.

A member of the guidance team is always available in the guidance base.

Speak to any teacher you are comfortable speaking to. You can also come to the office and ask to speak to the Duty Head.

If you have a Child Protection concern outside of school hours or during the holidays,  please contact Police Scotland Child Protection on 0131 561 6126