Education
All pupils at Falkland House School are active participants in the Curriculum for Excellence throughout their time at the school. This is augmented from 3rd year onwards by pupils having access to over 180 different units and courses from the SQA framework at Access 2 to Higher level. Pupils also participate in Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) courses. These will change in the near future as arrangements and specifications for the new assessments and qualifications are published by the Scottish Government.
The school day is structured into nine periods of forty minutes' duration. Pupils in the primary classes spend more time with their class teacher but still move between classes for subject specialist teachers (e.g. art, information technology, technical and science). Secondary pupils move between classes for different subjects throughout the day. Class sizes are small, comprising a maximum of 6 pupils, and each pupil follows an individually designed Personal Learning Plan in each subject area.
In line with the philosophy underpinning the Curriculum for Excellence, cross-curricular projects involving the whole school are a continuous part of learning and teaching in Falkland House School. Careful monitoring takes place to ensure all experiences and outcomes inherent in Curriculum for Excellence are being met.
Learning Support
The Curriculum for Excellence states that 'the curriculum should enable every child to develop his full potential....It should offer rich opportunities for development, progression and achievement for children who need additional support for learning.'
The role of Learning Support in Falkland House School is to identify and remove barriers to learning and ensure every young person is able to make the most of the opportunities available, helping them to become successful learners and assist them in reaching their full potential.
Some pupils arrive in the school with gaps in their knowledge and are underachieving from a variety of causes. Some have specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, whilst others have additional support needs which have had an impact on their learning. After a settling-in period the Learning Support teacher will assess the young person in literacy, numeracy, word processing, memory and thinking skills. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to discuss areas of their education with which they feel they need help. Many young people feel they can openly voice their worries about handwriting, reading or spelling, for example, which they have previously tried to keep hidden.
An individual programme of support is developed for each young person with a Personal Learning plan (PLP) for each target area. Additional support may be given at one-to-one sessions or it may be given in class with differentiated materials and individual attention, or as part of the after school programme. Class sizes are small and there is a consistency of approach across all subject areas, ensuring individual needs, both behavioural and academic, are met by all staff. This is in addition to the cross-curricular approach to literacy and numeracy, in line with Curriculum for Excellence guidelines. There is a constant two-way flow of information between teaching and care staff.
As each young person progresses through the school, the Department works with the School's SQA Throughcare Co-ordinators to ensure that appropriate support is given in examinations with the provision of Special Arrangements where necessary, and in external placements at Colleges or work experience.
The Learning Support department liaises with outside agencies - such as educational psychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, paediatrics and optical services, as well as attending individual reviews and sharing information with parents and other professionals.
The School adopts a whole-school approach to Specific Learning Difficulties by the use of buff-coloured paper and sans serif font as standard for all paper documents used by pupils, for example. There are numerous resources to aid learning, including computer software Text to Speech programmes and other IT literacy tools, access to excellent online resources through subscription websites, computer and coloured reading overlays and 'yoropens' for left handed pupils. All classrooms and Units have a range of enjoyable books, boardgames and strategy and thinking activities available for young people to use, including the use of 'Brain Training' on Nintendo DSi consoles, as a result of a successful nationwide trial into its benefits.
Certification
At Falkland House School all pupils' learning is achieved through the experiences and outcomes identified in a Curriculum for Excellence. This is augmented from 3rd year onwards by access to over 180 different units and courses in the SQA framework from Access 2 to Higher level. Pupils also participate in Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) courses. These will change in the near future as arrangements and specifications for the new assessments and qualifications are published by the Scottish Government.
Courses encompass a variety of topics from Plumbing, Cookery, Woodwork and Sailing to Mathematics, English, Chemistry and Biology. The HMIe/Care Commission joint report noted that...
'Across the school the overall quality of attainment was very good.'
Inspection Report Dated 31st October 2007
'There is a very good range of courses offered at Access and Intermediate levels across a wide range of subject areas.'
Follow-through Inspection Report Dated 19th August 2009
Throughcare
Falkland House School’s throughcare programme is based on the quality indicators and best practice devised by the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum. Central to this is the active participation of pupils, ensuring that they are empowered through transition planning to make decisions and take control of their lives. A Throughcare Coordinator ensures the relevant supports are available for individual pupils when completing the 'Pathways' materials. Pathways Assessment and Action plans form an integral part of the Throughcare Programme at the school. The school was commended by the HMIe for developing a Pathways programme for all young people at the school (follow-through inspection report 19th August 2009).
Pupils are fully involved in all aspects of their own throughcare and the outcomes reflect their views, taking into account their particular needs and aspirations.
From the start of 3rd year elements in the Social & Vocational Studies course encourage pupils to consider their options on leaving school through Community Placement, Work Experience and Job Seeking Skills units.
Careers Scotland provides an advisor throughout the course for both group presentations and individual interviews. Falkland House piloted and now uses the Worknet. This is a programme of weekly sessions presented by Careers Scotland. The school also uses Careerbox, an online interactive programme of career advice, options and exercises.
During the latter stages of 4th year, visits are made to Career Exhibitions and Colleges of Further Education. Applications for appropriate courses or training schemes are completed and recorded to ensure pupils complete a record of achievement.
After consultation with parents and professionals, the school has developed a very successful 5th and 6th year programme to meet the needs of pupils who require further support before moving on to a full-time college placement or employment.
This programme is individually tailored to pupils’ needs but consist of specific SQA & ASDAN courses within the school, part-time courses at local colleges and work placements at local businesses. Pupils are supported to exercise choice and encouraged to make decisions with regards to all aspects of their lives.
HMie/Care Commission inspectors noted this area as a key strength.Newsletters
FHS Newsletters detail the latest information on Falkland House School. Click on the images below to view.
A great deal of attention is paid to Support for Learning, Personal and Social Development and to preparation for leaving school. The Support for Learning department ensures all pupils have full access to the curriculum. This is met by a combination of short term specific intervention and long term programmes.
From third year onwards, pupils are involved in wide ranging courses of social and vocational skills including work experience, community placement and a comprehensive careers guidance. The school has a Throughcare Coordinator to ensure the active participation of pupils, empowering them to make decisions and take control of their lives (HM Inspectorate of Education identified both the quality of teaching and learning and support for young people in this area as a key strength*).
All pupils have a Class Teacher who is responsible for monitoring and guiding their progress. Class teachers liaise with professionals and parents. This was again identified by the HMIe as a key strength*
* Inspection Report Dated 31st October 2007