Children of all abilities may at some time in their school career require additional help with an aspect of schoolwork. This may occur for a variety of reasons and can be for a short period of time or long-term as considered necessary.
There are four members of staff in the Learning Skills department, all of whom work closely with the School management and with the class teachers.
Most referrals for extra help come via the class teacher or are a result of the School’s own assessment and screening procedures. In Junior School those pupils who fall below a certain score in reading, spelling or writing are automatically referred to the Learning Skills department.
The support given is monitored and reviewed regularly by staff and increased, decreased or stopped altogether as is appropriate.
It is important that home and the School work in partnership to ensure every child reaches his / her full potential. To help with this, you will always be informed when your child is to receive support for learning. You are kept up to date with your child’s progress at the parents’ evenings and through their support plan and report card. Members of the department are available at regular intervals for you to drop in and discuss your child’s progress.
The Learning Skills department can cater for a wide range of pupils, ranging from those who need short-term help to overcome difficulty with a specific subject, or those with difficulties with vision or hearing, to those with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or other mild learning difficulties who may require ongoing support throughout their school career.
Our overriding concern is to ensure the best interests of your child are met as regards learning needs. Where we have identified the need for support, we will offer a place to your child only once we are sure we can offer them all the help and support they need, in order to allow them to make the most of their time at school.
Children may be offered several different kinds of support, depending on their individual needs.
· In-class support; For English and Maths, a member of the Learning Skills department works with individual children in the classroom, providing them with the assistance they need to make progress and complete assignments.
· Individual / small group support: Some children may attend the Learning Skills department for up to six periods a week, working on skills such as reading, spelling, or general study skills. The department may also help with curriculum reinforcement, with specialist subject teachers visiting the Learning Skills department to work on an individual basis with some pupils. Help is also available in learning to use technology that can assist in learning.
Dyslexia does not automatically entitle your child to receive support during exams. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) requests evidence from schools to show that support is necessary, and reflects the type of support your child would normally receive in their classes.
The SQA’s Guidance on Assessment Arrangements for Candidates with Disabilities and / or Additional Support Needs is available online at www.sqa.org.uk. From the home page, search for ‘Guidance on Assessment Arrangements’.
If your child currently receives support for learning, you should detail this on your application, and provide as much background as possible. This will ensure that they are not unintentionally disadvantaged during the entrance assessment, and allows us to make provision for any additional testing that may be necessary.
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
www.listening-books.org.uk (Free membership is available if you have a Tayside postcode.)
www.bbc.co.uk/schools
www.enquire.org.uk
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk