Communication Base

The Communication Base (the Base) in Vale of Leven Academy is a West Dunbartonshire Council resource which  provides support for young people of secondary school age who have been assessed as having a language and communication disorder such that their needs could not be met within their local mainstream school but who would benefit from a mainstream education.  The Base is an integral part of the Vale of Leven Academy.  All pupils are assigned a registration class and are full members of the school community.  The pupils who attend the Base will go to some mainstream classes or will be aiming to enter mainstream classes at some point. The staff within the Base ensure that the pupils are receiving a full curriculum and some subjects are taught within the Base. All of the pupils who attend the Base will have an Educational Support Plan in accordance with GIRFEC principles.  Targets for pupils will focus on Mental, Emotional, Social and Physical Wellbeing. All will have some periods where they follow a Social Skills programme which has been developed to help address the needs of the pupils within the Base. 

Entry to the Base is through the Joint Review Panel please follow the link a-guide-to-accessing-specialist-provision-in-west-dunbartonshire.pdf  for more information.  Prospective parents who wish to visit the Communication Base should consult with their child’s Educational Psychologist in the first instance.

Staff are committed to providing a professional, friendly and stimulating environment where young people are motivated to succeed. Praise and rewards are given for effort, attitude and achievement.  When it has been decided that the Base is the appropriate placement for a pupil an enhanced transition is put in place for the pupil.  This will include a number of visits to the Base and opportunities to become familiar with staff and pupils in the Base.

In the 14 years of its existence the Base, in close partnership with parents,  has achieved very positive outcomes for almost all of our pupils including positive destinations, from the Supported Learning Department of West College Scotland to University, dependent on the needs and abilities of the individual pupils.  

John Morrison Faculty Leader of Additional Support Needs (including Communication Base) Lorraine Markwick Principal Teacher Communication Base. Our team includes highly trained and passionate Teachers and  Learning Assistants.