Most of the pupils in my school come from right across the town where it is located. A number come from further afield or they have a placing request. Strathaven Academy is one of the high achieving school in South Lanarkshire council. It’s an interesting mix and the school serves a reasonably affluent community although there are some pupils across all year groups in the lower SIMD deciles (around 6%). Therefore, of course, we aim to cater for each of these pupils’ needs in our teaching. In Developing Scotland Young Workforce the school is committed to providing opportunities for all pupils to develop the skills and knowledge that will ensure successful progression beyond school. Throughout the curriculum pupils are encouraged to recognise and develop skills in communication, working with others, problem solving, literacy and numeracy. Pupils in S3 and S6 experience elective programmes that target work related skills, additional qualifications, and the development of leadership.
Our school motto is Shared ambition and aspiration. Working together, caring for all. I think I promote this motto in all aspects of my school life. My results, feedback from pupils and colleagues, promoting positive behaviour and positive class room ethos, involvement in activities out with the classroom. I have established links to the authority EAL contact and community working groups through my new initiative Eco committee.After attending growth mindset CPD my prospective to the pupils learning is changed. I believe that there are solutions out there – it’s just sometimes it’s harder to implement those solutions than others.
It is so important to have a support network in order to help meeting all pupils needs. Shanarri wheels and Wellbeing indicators are useful feedback tools to assess, to gather raw data. Document A 26—-refers to identified groups increasingly must address the socio – physiological health impact on many learners. There are increasing numbers of learners identified as requiring ASN. Behaviour support base, our learning support and staff with PEF roles is a skeleton staff. This is to ensure our pupils feel safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.
Hi Rachna. What or who are the important parts of *your* support network that help you to meet all pupils’ needs?
I liaise with almost everyone in the school to meet pupil’s needs and my support network involves my colleagues with and outwith the dept,my faculty head, ASN and pupil support network, SMT’s,office staff and even the pupils I teach.
Hi Rachna,
I know you have stated that your school is attended by children in a mainly affluent area and thus may not have as many economic challenges but do you still face social or environmental challenges?
Stephanie.
Hi Stephanie, Socially I say pear pressure and parental pressure.Mental health is a big issue amongest our kids because of the parental expectations.Economical-the job market,university requirements,new housing adds pressure to our school roll.Staff retention is the other one.Environmentally school is trying to find measures in response to the complaints from the local community about the littering in the streets around the school in lunchtime along with local community working groups.