The role of learning support in the senior school
The role of the Learning Support Department is to help the school to meet the individual educational needs of our pupils.
To work with mainstream staff in the task of meeting individual educational needs.
To give targeted support for any specific difficulties.
To give pupils personal attention; to help them to be well integrated into school and to acquire the self-esteem and the study habits to reach their potential.
To create a partnership between parents, mainstream and learning support staff, outside professionals and the pupil him or herself in order that success can be achieved.
Accommodation and Resources
The Senior School Learning Support Department consists of four rooms on the first floor of the Donaldson's building, one for each teacher in the Department. Two of the rooms are particularly spacious and can accommodate more than one group. They are equipped with computers connected to the school network.
There are four staff in the department, including a specialist in English as a Second Language and a Special Needs Support Assistant.
What special needs do we support?
By special needs we mean any educational need that the pupil may have which cannot be adequately met in the normal curriculum.
Our range of support
We can help pupils with concentration and organisation difficulties and we give training in study skills. In the past we have supported individual needs such as Asperger’s Syndrome, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder and hearing difficulties. Some needs may be long term; some may be temporary due to change of school or interrupted schooling. Some mild difficulties can be satisfactorily addressed by mainstream teachers. We have to make careful judgements about the best use of our time in the context of the needs of the whole school. |
What is Dyslexia?
Some people call dyslexia 'a specific learning difficulty'. Dyslexia tends to run in families. Dyslexia continues throughout life. 10% of the population is dyslexic, 4% being severely dyslexic. Dyslexia people may have creative, artistic, practical skills. They can develop strategies for their areas of difficulty. The LS Department can give information to parents regarding various therapies for dyslexia and other learning difficulties. These include fatty acid supplements, Sound Therapy, Brain Gym, and the DDAT programme. |
English for Speakers of Other Languages
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How many students?
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How are pupils' needs identified? |
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Transfer of pupils from the Junior School and from other schools.Before the transfer of pupils from the Junior School we liaise closely with Mrs Marlborough and Mrs Watt to learn about the LS pupils due to join us. We also meet with P6 teachers to discuss the whole range of pupils in their classes. We meet all the pupils who receive Learning Support, either individually or in a small group, and we invite all of them to come to lunch in the Senior School and see the Department. Parents are invited to meet with Senior School staff both as a group and privately. When pupils join the Academy from other schools and any need for LS is indicated, we meet parents and read the reports from the previous school, if necessary consulting the school directly. |
Screening tests and consultationIn the first few weeks of the Autumn Term all the Geits and Seconds do screening tests in reading, writing and spelling. These help us to identify any pupils who may need some extra support. We examine records of testing from the Junior School or former school. We observe pupils in class and see examples of work. We discuss pupils with the core subject teachers and with parents. Screening tests are also administered at the end of the Third Year and at the beginning of the Sixth Year. During the year, especially after examinations, staff are invited to refer any pupil to the attention of the Learning Support Department. Termly Review Meetings are useful opportunities for staff to express any concerns about pupils |
Further assessment
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Partnership with parentsWe always consult and preferably meet with parents before deciding on any learning support programme. This may include recommendations for support at home e.g paired reading or spelling, monitoring of homework or help with organisation. Parents are welcome to make contact with LS staff at any time and depending on the pupil's need, they may be in quite regular contact. Parents of LS pupils from the Geits to the Fourths are invited to meet with their LS teachers at the end of the school year. |
We provide support for pupils with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, or for any child having problems with reading, spelling, handwriting, Maths, English or other aspects of the curriculum. .jpg)
The British Dyslexia Association describes dyslexia as follows: "'Dyslexia' comes from a Greek word and it means 'difficulty with words'. Dyslexia affects reading, spelling, writing, memory and concentration, and sometimes maths, music, foreign languages and self-organisation.
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Approximately 10% of pupils are identified as having some degree of SpLD. This is in line with the national average.On average we give tuition to about 50 pupils per year. In addition, 15 -20 pupils receive ESL support, the majority being in the Sixth and Seventh years.
LS staff can administer a variety of specialised tests which can help to diagnose specific learning difficulties. In order for identification to be made it is important that a complete picture is obtained of the pupil's educational, medical and family history and his or her behaviour and learning style. This page is: Edinburgh Academy / curriculum / learningsupport / index.htm
