Representatives from EAST contribute to national working groups in various areas of additional support needs. Including:

 Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit working group

The current Improvement Plan for 2021/22 incorporates  the following areas for improvement: Reading Writing Circles, Dysgraphia,  A video with EAST staff discussing the use of the Inclusive Practice Professional Learning Resource within East Ayrshire was recorded and has been shared on the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit for colleagues across Scotland and beyond to access. This film can be found in the “Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice Professional Learning Films” section of this page: Films | Addressing Dyslexia

Dyscalculia working group

A national working group set up to establish a definition for dyscalculia in Scotland and associated support materials.

Pupil Support Staff Professional Learning Framework

National working group developing a National Training Framework for pupil support staff. EAST has shared resources and training materials for inclusion in the national training framework  from the EAST Classroom Assistant Training Matrix

Highly Able national working Group

EAST approached the Scottish Network for Able Pupils and together have initiated a national working group to support highly able learners who require Individual Learning Plans.  The group are currently working on creating a bank of Numeracy & Mathematics targets at Early, First and Second/Third levels.  These will be shared in East Ayrshire and nationally.  It is anticipated that a similar bank for Literacy & English targets will also be developed.  This group is also a platform to share good practice and engage in professional dialogue around how we meet the needs of this cohort of learners.

These activities enable the good practice seen in East Ayrshire to be shared nationally with colleagues in East Ayrshire and across Scotland being supported and upskilled in various areas of ASN.