Support For Learning

There are a variety of factors which can lead to barriers to learning. These can include social and emotional, linguistic, cognitive, physical or mental health issues, assessed disability and family circumstances among other factors.

Support for learners is targeted using the CNES Staged Assessment and Intervention framework.

The Learning Support Department is led by Principal Teachers Zoey Nicleòid and Rita Fraser, with 8 SfL teachers and a team of Support for Learning assistants.

Learners with identified additional support needs are in the main , supported by their subject teachers, who are responsible for planning and adapting their curriculum as part on the inclusive classroom. To support class teachers with this, SfL teachers share all relevant information using either confidential ASN Information files, Action Plans or Individualised Education Plans, appropriate to the needs of the learner. This could include information from assessments undertaken, advice on strategies, advice on additional arrangements for exams/ assessments or through working with parents and other professionals on targets for IEPs. 

There is a SfL teacher aligned to each House in the school as follows;

Addison/ Forbes - Miss Kirsty Watt 

Gibson - Mrs Anna Macphail

Macrae - Mrs Jo Barnes/ Mr Iain Ballantyne

Sutherland - Mrs Joan Budge

SfL Staff work alongside class teachers to provide shared support and also liaise with Guidance staff and other agencies involved in the Team Around The Child towards a holistic approach to meeting the young person's needs.

The school has an Enhanced Provision, for pupils with more significant or complex needs. The Enhanced Provision is made up of three sections, each with their own designated teacher.

Severe and Complex Needs - Mrs Kate Barber

S4-6 Enhanced Provision - Mrs Christina Macinnes

S1-S3 Enhanced Provision - Ms Orjana Latenstein

Staff in the Enhanced Provision plan personalised courses and activities based on pupils' needs and next steps and work closely with allied health professionals, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language and Physiotherapy towards IEP and Co-ordinated Support Plan goals.

In addition to supporting learners through working alongside subject teachers, the SfL Department also offers the opportunity to achieve certification across a wide and varied range of National 1 and 2 certification courses. Examples of courses include Lifeskills Mathematics; English and Communication; Independent Living Skills: Shopping; Personal Development - Making a Journey; Personal Development- Finding out About the World of Work etc. The courses selected each year for pupils to undertake are based on pupils interests, next steps and preparation for life and work.

Transitions are important for all learners, and particularly learners who have additional support needs. For both transitions into the school from associated primary schools, and transitions on from school, information is shared between settings and agencies at an early stage and a carefully planned programme of transition activities and visits is planned to build up familiarity and confidence with new environments, systems and staff. This is important to ensure that our young people feel secure and safe moving to a new setting and provide reassurance to them and their families that information about their needs has been shared and these needs are planned for.