Individual support

Support for Learning

Our specialist Support for Learning Team works with children of all abilities including meeting the needs of the most able as well as those who may be experiencing a barrier to the achieving of their full academic potential.

For some any support is temporary whereas for others it is on-going.

Our team works extensively in the Early Years as early intervention in learning is something that we are very much in favour of. Often children who have struggled with early reading and work with our ‘Sound-Start’ programme go on to be some of the highest achieving academic children in years to come.

The team liaises fully with all those involved in meeting pupil needs. Programmes are created involving multi-sensory teaching methods and the development of effective strategies for learning. Support may be provided through withdrawal from class for a limited period each week or through cooperative teaching whereby a number of pupils may be supported in the classroom in key curricular areas.

Edinburgh Academy Support for Learning Policy

Pastoral Care

The bond between the class teachers and the children are crucial to the successful pastoral care of children in our school.

It would be fair to say that all of our teachers came into their job to make a difference to young lives and this comes through strongly in the care and attention they give to all.

With this in mind the vast majority of issues are dealt with by the class teacher, The next link in the chain is the Departmental Heads and they keep a watchful eye over their charges whether they be in the Early Years (Denham Green), the Middle Primary (Main Block) or in the Upper Primary (McTavish Wing).

On occasions our departmental heads or Head of Support for Learning work with small groups of children where group dynamics need some attention.

The scale of the school means that every member of staff gets to know the children very well from the Head Teacher to the Janitor.

Mental health issues to sometimes become apparent in younger children and therefore where deemed necessary by the Head Teacher, in consultation with the relevant Head of Department, he may recommend that children spend a limited amount of time with the school counsellor or signpost them to relevant agencies such as the CAMHS system.

Nutrition

All EA pupils are provided with a healthy lunch and a good choice of food provided by our catering partners Sodexo. The school can cope with all common dietary requirements and has recently achieved the title ‘Health Promoting School’. 

Child Protection and Safeguarding 

Our child protection, anti-bullying, safeguarding and equalities policies are fully compliant with latest legislation and all of our staff are trained at the required levels. 

The Child Protection Coordinators are the Head Teacher (Junior School and Nursery) and the Deputy Rector: Pastoral Care (Senior School). They are trained to the highest level and report directly to the Safeguarding Committee of the Court of Directors. 

The Edinburgh Academy employs an external advisor to audit and advise on matters of child welfare.