The Support for Learning (SfL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department
Staff
The Support for Learning Department at Shawlands Academy is part of the wider Pupil Support Team, based in the South corridor of the school (South 7.5, 8, 9 and 10) and is made up of the following staff members:
Gerry Lennon, Depute Head Teacher Pupil Support
Victoria Blair Gardner, Principal Teacher of SfL and EAL
Faye Murray Foster (Monday – Wednesday)
Rachel Dooris (Wednesday – Friday)
Yvette Ludvigsen
Shakuntala Datta (Wednesday – Friday)
Johanna Boyle (Monday – Friday)
Siobhan McFadden (Wednesday – Friday)
Derek Barton
Paula Fowler
Hannah Gallacher
Peter Slater
Support
Here at Shawlands Academy, we offer a nurturing and inclusive environment helping our pupils to flourish. Our experienced staff with specialist training in SfL and EAL can provide a range of strategies to support pupils with Additional Support Needs access the curriculum, including:
- P7 Enhanced Transition
- Post-School Enhanced Transition (college, university or employment)
- Personalised Support Targets (regularly reviewed)
- Technology to assist with learning
- Digital Skills training: including Ivona Reader, My Study Bar and iPad Apps
- Support in the identification of Additional Support Needs
- Engagement at Staged Intervention Meetings (SIM) and Joint Support Team (JST)
- Staff support for external visits and trips for pupils with ASNs
- Study support in one-to-one or small group settings
- S3 and S4 Study Support classes in English and Maths
- Study skills, techniques, and strategies
- Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAAs)
- Early Lunch/Early Exit Pass
- Equipment Loan (iPad keyboards/Sensory Ear Defenders/Coloured Overlays)
- In-class support, where appropriate
- Daily Chill Club – games of Uno and a chance to relax and unwind are on offer for pupils who need a quiet break and lunch space
- Supported Study for the Senior Phase (Wider Achievement)
- Partnership work with other support agencies including FARE, Action for Children, MCR Pathways, HISS, SALT, OT, Neurodevelopmental Team Gorbals Health Centre, Social Work, Educational Psychology etc.
- Named link Support for Learning teacher for each pupil with an identified Additional Support Need, working with Pastoral Care, subject teachers, Heads of Year and families to provide all round support for learning.
- Delivery of Prince’s Trust Achieve classes
- Delivery of N3,4,5 and Higher ESOL)
- Delivery of English, Maths and Digital Skills focus groups for the BGE
- Fresh Start Literacy Programme (https://www.ruthmiskin.com/programmes/fresh-start/#)
Additional Resources
Technology and Accessibility
Free Accessibility Software for Use at Home
IVONA Digital Reader (Power Point detailing how to access in school and from home)
CALL Scotland – Technology Support in Accessing Teaching and Learning
My Study Bar (a group of free portable Windows apps put into one package to support learners with literacy difficulties)
Microsoft Immersive Reader – this interactive guide covers all the ways to use Immersive Reader with apps like:
✅ Microsoft Word
✅ Office Lens
✅ Onenote
✅ Microsoft Teams
EAL and ESOL Resources
Breaking News Articles – 7 different levels
Macmillan Activities – Games, Quizzes and Resources
British Council Activities – Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Oxford University Press – Resources for Teenage Learners
FluentU (free trial available) – FluentU takes real-world videos: like music videos, cartoons and documentaries and turns them into personalised language learning lessons
British Council – Learning English for Kids
ESL Kids – Worksheet Generator
SQA ESOL Information – National 2, 3, 4, 5 and Higher
Free Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Lessons
Health and Wellbeing Resources
Good News Reading and Listening Practice
Positive News Reading Articles
Sunny Skies Reading and Listening Practice
Literacy and Numeracy
Audible – Free Talking Books for Teens
BBC Skillswise – Maths and Numeracy
BBC Skillswise – English and Literacy
Maths and English Resources BGE
Breaking News – activities at 7 different levels
Support
CALL Scotland – Home Learning Support for Parents
Glasgow Dyslexia Support Service
Scotland Action on Hearing Loss
CALL Scotland – Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning
Subject Resources
BBC – Secondary School Subject Resources
BBC Bitesize – digital Senior Phase materials accessible with a screen reader
Free, funny Study Guides for a range of subjects (Shmoop)
Free Video Links to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Resources
Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAAs)
Mental Heath and Wellbeing