Education

Support for Learning

The main purpose of the Support for Learning Department is to ensure that each pupil in the school is able to make the most of the educational opportunities available to him during his time at Falkland House School.

The Department is based in a well-resourced room in the main area of the school and is open to all, both staff and boys, to examine or use the available resources, to discuss a particular issue, to request differentiated material, or to make suggestions about any further developments or areas of concern. One of the roles of the Department is to keep abreast of current research and development and to pass on key information to staff within the school.

Assessment

On arrival in the school, the Support for Learning staff will spend time getting to know a pupil and observing him in the classroom before any formal assessment takes place. The boys are assessed in the key areas of reading, writing, handwriting, numeracy, spelling and keyboard skills. The tests are designed to identify particular gaps in a boy’s knowledge, a specific learning difficulty, or areas of skills requiring further development.

Individual Support

Once a particular need or gap in knowledge has been identified, the required support will be initiated.  The Learning Support staff work closely with all other departments in the school as well as with care staff to ensure that support is given across the board.  Support may take the form of withdrawal from the classroom for one to one tuition, through co-operative teaching in the classroom, or through keyworker sessions outwith the formal classroom setting.

Individual Attention

One of the great strengths of the school lies in its small size. This makes it possible for every boy to be well known to all staff, and for his individual needs to be identified thus facilitating closely monitored progress.

Literacy Skills

Much of the support in the school is based around the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills.

Spelling

All boys in Year One to Year Four follow the “Cracker Spell” spelling programme which is reinforced with phonic and sight words where necessary. The Department also has several other computer-based spelling resources including “Word Spell”,” Star Spell” and” Nessy Spell” An appropriate spelling programme can thus be tailored for each individual.

Phonics and Reading

The spelling programme is an integral part of the Phonics and Reading programme. This Reading Recovery course is run by the English Department in conjunction with Support for Learning.  For non-readers, the Department has a variety of approaches which include phonic work using “Phonic Code Cracker”, “A-Z Readers”, and other resources especially selected for their age appropriate content.

Handwriting

The Department runs a handwriting scheme, and if a need is identified, a pupil will be placed on the scheme at an appropriate level.  At an advanced level, the handwriting course can be used to enhance other writing skills, such as business and personal letters, creating posters, making notes on a topic, or job applications.

Computer Aids to Learning

The school makes use of current reading and writing software programs. “WordTalk”, “Clicker” and “Learning Grids” are available for boys to use. The internet allows access to a number of excellent web-based resources, including e-books which allow non-readers access to a wide range of texts which include listening for pleasure as well as for information.

Numeracy

Support is given, in consultation with the Maths Department, in specific areas of the curriculum. Typical areas for input may include times tables, addition, subtraction, fractions, sequencing, time, measurement or money handling.  Programmes of support are worked out on an individual basis. This may result in a pupil receiving additional support over a short period of time due to, for example, absence or in order to reinforce work on a particular topic. Support may also be required on a daily basis over a longer term.

SQA

Support for Learning liaises with the SQA Co-ordinator in the school to ensure that, where a boy is presented for public examinations, additional support has been put into place if necessary, and that readers and scribes or other arrangements have been made.

Key Workers

The Department works closely with the Key workers and Care Staff to ensure that activities undertaken outwith the classroom are managed in such a way that all may benefit. Care Staff are made aware of any additional support needs which pupils have, and are encouraged to reinforce work done during the school day on evening activities, outings and on Outreach. This is an essential part of the Life Skills programme and ensures, for example, that pupils learn to handle money or prepare meals in real-life situations, using skills they have acquired in the classroom.

Certification

Over 160 SQA units and courses are offered from Access 2 to Higher level. 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

5th & 6th Year Programme

Falkland House School’s throughcare programme is based on the quality indicators and best practise devised by the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum. Central to this is the active participation of pupils, ensuring that they are empowered to make decisions and take control of their lives.

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 4th 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 can consist of part-time courses at local colleges, work placements and additional units and courses within the school. Pupils are supported to exercise choice and encouraged to make decisions with regards the all aspects of their lives.

HMie/Care Commission inspectors noted this area as a key strength.

Case Studies

Case Studies to follow shortly, please check back soon. Thank you.