Additional Support Needs

Welcome to the Additional Support Needs Faculty

The Additional Support for learning Faculty – Helping pupils to help themselves.

Partnership with pupils, parents, staff, other schools , local businesses , organisations and agencies is key to the work of the ASL Team. We endeavour to support S1-6 pupils in their day to day learning and at key stages such as transition to the academy, SQA exams, college, work experience and university. Whether long or short- term we appreciate the importance of knowing and understanding the individual needs of the pupil. Our team of ASL Teaching staff and Pupil Support Assistants (PSA) are deployed to prioritise support across the school to where the greatest need is identified.

1:1 and group support

Sometimes pupils require some additional support to develop their social and emotional skills and ASL staff are trained in a variety of interventions including Lego therapy, LIAM, Drawing & talking and Seasons for Growth. Pupils would be referred for 1-1 or group support via guidance.

Enhanced Learning Support ( ELS)  (Enhanced Provision)

In the ELS classes, we teach small groups of learners Maths, English and Modern Languages. We offer tailored programmes of work according to their needs. Our focus is on developing key literacy and numeracy skills. We favour a project-based learning approach to engage pupils with their learning and help develop core skills. Pupils are allocated an ELS place during transition via an application process. Some pupils may join ELS during S1-3 for targeted support and may then return to mainstream classes if appropriate.

In S3 and S4, we support learners in gaining National 2 and National 3 qualifications in English and Maths.

Pupil Support

B1 is a nurturing pupil support area where ASL staff are present each period to help and support pupils. Pupils are timetabled to B1 via guidance.

ASL Courses/Awards for BGE and Senior Phase

Pupils work on a variety of SQA, ASDAN, Personal Achievement, Enterprise and NPA awards These courses are shaped each year to match pupil interest, need and ability and pupils have an input with how the courses run and progress. Where we can, we link with local businesses, community groups and partnerships to enhance the learning experience.