We place a tremendous amount of importance on supporting our pupils’ learning. Whether through pastoral or general Support for Learning for pupils who experience barriers or challenges with their learning, to universal support through Supported Study, use of digital resources or Pupil Voice – we are fully committed to providing what our pupils need when they need it! We truly believe in promoting Success for All at Port Glasgow High School.
Have a look at each section below to find out more….
Here Are The Top 5 Study Tips For Teenage Success
- Be clear and decisive about what you are working on. Stop working on the things you enjoy – focus on the ones you struggle with the most.
- Take breaks – set a timer – study for a chunk, take a break.
- Guard against lots of chat from friends about stress. Practising mindfulness meditation can help – apps such as Calm or Headspace can be of help & encourage us to focus on being present in the moment.
- Be aware of your physical health & hygiene – do you eat well? Sleep well?
- If you are feeling overwhelmed – let someone know. There’s no stigma in asking for help!
And keep speaking to teachers; showing them work – ask for feedback. At home, parents need to reassure – model calm, encouraging study; checking in on what topics are being worked on and how they are getting on – and checking that they are asking for feedback and help when they need it.
We need to keep calm and keep scaffolding the evidence gathering. If we do all that and take the opportunities to show what we are learning, no one can ask any more staff, pupils and parents alike. We need to avoid creating fear or anxiety – acknowledge the struggle & then get focused on what we can control.
(taken from TeachMindset.com)
Supported Study
Each year, we provide extensive Supported Study opportunities for pupils from S4. In 2022/23, we will look to provide a range of Supported Study opportunities through blocks of after school sessions from Oct to Dec and from Feb to April. Supported Study timetables are circulated to pupils throughout the year and will be available here when confirmed.
SQA Exam Timetable 
Scottish exam changes to continue into 2023
Changes to the way exams are assessed will continue into next year, according to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Modifications were made to assessments for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses to reduce workloads for teachers and pupils amid the pandemic. The SQA said these will now remain in place during the 2022/23 school year.
The announcement comes after the 2022 exam diet began earlier this week. It is the first time exams have taken place since the start of the pandemic.
SQA chief executive Fiona Robertson said: “We recognise the ongoing disruption to teaching and learning that young people across Scotland have experienced since the start of the pandemic.
“After careful consideration, and having reflected on the feedback we received, we can confirm that the current modifications to assessment will remain in place for 2022/23.
“The effects of the disruption will not go away after the summer break.
“Carrying the assessment modifications forward into the new academic year will help to provide some certainty for learners, teachers and lecturers and help free up more time for learning and teaching of the course content, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of their qualifications.” (The Scotsman online April 2022)
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/98798.html
SQA link above to current guidance re examinations in 2022
In 2021/2022 academic year, the current guidance from SQA and the Scottish Government is that exams will take place in April – June of 2022. The SQA Exam Timetable is available at the above link. We will also post some exam support tips for pupils and parents. Pupils studying at National 5 and above levels will expect to sit examinations, in addition to in-class assessments through the year. Pupils at National 3 and National 4 will undertake unit assessments throughout the year to gain their qualifications at these levels.
Mentors in Violence Protection 
Peer mentors are at the heart of the MVP programme. Please click the title above to see an overview of the programme.
The mentor training involves mentors considering a number of scenarios that young people may come across in school. These include, among others –
- possible bullying in the corridor
- inappropriate photos on a phone
- hearing insults
Mentors consider whether a bystander should intervene and, if so, what the possible consequences of different actions may be. Mentors are trained to elicit responses from the young people they are working with. Over the period of a school session, mentors will deliver around 4 lessons to each of their classes. During the year there will be regular meetings of the mentors with members of the school management group to support the mentors and ensure that their training is ongoing.
McLeod Trust
The McLeod Scholarship, is funded from the McLeod Trust Fund that was gifted to Port Glasgow High School by Mr George F McLeod (former pupil). It is his wishes that this fund is used to support a former pupil progress to and through University. The aim of the scholarship is to raise aspirations and ease the financial burden of further education.
Currently the Scholarship is £700 a year – to a maximum of four years (eg Honours degree).
This is a substantial amount of money, hence please read the support notes carefully, before completing your application form below.
McLeod-Trust-Support-Notes-for-Application-Form-Aug-2020-
McLeod-Trust-Application-Form-Aug-2020-
Rights Respecting School Award 
The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) has a profound impact on children and young people, and the school as a whole. When the principles and values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) UNCRC are introduced and reinforced throughout school life, children and the wider school community benefit.
As schools implement the RRSA standards, they enable children and young people to make informed decisions and to grow into confident, active and empowered citizens.
The pattern emerging from self-evaluation by schools and local authorities, by RRSA professional advisor’s and assessors and by external researchers is consistent for all types of schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What are the main areas of impact?
•Improved self-esteem and well-being
•Improved relationships and behaviour (reductions in bullying and exclusions and improved attendance)
•Improved engagement in learning
•Positive attitudes towards diversity in society and the reduction of prejudice
•Children and young people’s enhanced moral understanding
•Children and young people’s support for global justice
•Children and young people become more involved in decision-making in schools.
Parents have also reported support for the values and principles of the CRC. This is based on the beneficial impact they see on their children when they adopt rights-respecting language and behaviour.
We are a Level 1 Rights Respecting School.
Level 1 is the second step of the Rights Respecting Schools Award. At this stage, the school implements an action plan and makes good progress towards embedding the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into its ethos and curriculum following the four RRSA standards. The school also plans how they will fully embed the Convention as they work towards Level 2.
To achieve accreditation, the school self-evaluates progress and when they believe they have met the standards, a Unicef UK representative will visit the school to assess progress. Following this, a written report is provided and, where the standards have been met, the school will be awarded a Level 1.
Pupil Council
Pupil Voice is an important part of school life and at Port Glasgow High School, we look to recruit House representatives from all year groups at the start of each year. The Pupil Council meet regularly throughout the year with the school’s Senior Leadership Team and the Senior Pupil Leadership Team (S6). The Pupil Council aims to support pupils in raising the issues they feel are important in their school and to be able to discuss these issues with their peer groups, their older school colleagues and with school management. Pupil Council representatives play a key role in representing their classes and year group.
Digital Resources to Support Your Learning – click on the image below to find some valuable information on Digital Learning.
