What do we provide?
The Additional Support for Learning Team provides support for pupils with wide ranging needs in order to fulfil the GIRFEC agenda – Getting It Right For Every Child. Most pupils’ needs can be met within the classroom although a small number will not be able to engage with a full mainstream curriculum. Their individual requirements are met by the provision of an enhanced curriculum, which is arranged by the ASfL department. The Department has both Teaching and Auxiliary staff who work together to support individuals, small groups and whole classes both in mainstream and in smaller groups within the ASfL Department.
Support is delivered through five key roles:
- Consultancy – Discussion with departments to facilitate effective teaching and learning strategies. Pupil support profiles are also used to ensure learning and teaching strategies are available to all those who work with identified pupils.
- Co-operative teaching – Working alongside mainstream colleagues with clear, shared aims and objectives to promote the best support for pupils
- Differentiation of course materials – working together with mainstream teachers in order to offer a curriculum suited to individual learning styles, abilities or additional support needs.
- Targeted intervention for specific learning difficulties. These are identified either through information passed on from Primary Schools or via testing carried out by the ASfL department. Strategies are then set in place according to the needs of pupils. Where appropriate Additional Assessment Arrangements are set in place for SQA formal assessments and exams.
- Direct tuition – sometimes it is more appropriate for a group to work out with the main class to allow for a slower pace of learning or for pupils with more complex needs who require a significantly adapted curriculum.
