Overview
The Secondary Department encompasses 1st to 3rd year pupils. Each year we have between 50 and 60 pupils, across 6 class groups. Each class group has a maximum of 10 pupils, supported by a Class Teacher. Our Additional Support Needs Assistants are assigned to class groups in response to pupils’ needs.
The Secondary Department operates a Core Teacher Model. The Core Teacher Model reduces the number of teachers that each pupil works with across the school week and reduces the number of transitions across the school day. This also ensures that pupils have a teacher that they consider to be ‘their teacher’ and our families have a contact who knows their child well. This model means that pupils have a Core Classroom that they consider to be ‘their classroom’.
Core Teachers deliver Health and Wellbeing, Literacy, Numeracy and Mathematics, Science and Social Studies (through Interdisciplinary Learning), and Developing the Young Workforce to their Core Class. As part of our Interdisciplinary Learning Programme all class groups focus on the same learning context at the same time. Our Developing the Young Workforce Programme aims to support the development of Core Skills. Pupils identify activities that they would like to participate in. Activities often include, big play, chess, craft, digital, Lego, and sport.
Additional subjects (e.g., Digital, Home Economics, Music, Physical Education, and Religious and Moral Education) are delivered across the department. The use of digital technology is embedded in learning and teaching to engage and support pupils, enhancing their learning experiences. We work with external providers to facilitate enrichment opportunities for all our pupils. Chef Chris and Chef Jason (from Flavour5) deliver additional hospitality opportunities.
School Hours
Our school day begins at 9.00am.
Our morning break begins at 10.50am and ends at 11:05am. Pupils are supervised, by staff, during morning break.
Our lunch break begins at 12.45pm. Pupils may bring a packed lunch to school or order a school lunch from the cafeteria. Currently, all school meals in the ASN Sector are free. All pupils, regardless of whether they choose a packed lunch or a school lunch, eat together in the lunch hall. Pupils access the playground at 1:00pm and return to class at 1:30pm. Pupil are supervised, by staff, during lunch break (in the lunch hall and in the playground).
Our school day ends at 3.25pm when pupils assemble, in designated areas, ready to leave the school building at 3.30pm.
Staffing and Points of Contact
Mrs Amanda McBain is Depute Head Teacher and the main point of contact for the Secondary Department. Mrs McBain is supported by 2 Principal Teachers, Mrs Coffield and Mrs Drummond. In addition, there are 8 members of teaching staff and 9 Additional Support Needs Assistants working in the Secondary Department.
Families As Partners
In Glencryan, we work in partnership with families to ensure the best possible outcomes for our pupils. We acknowledge the valuable contributions that families make to this partnership model. We recognise that good communication between home and school is essential in building and maintaining this strong bond. We will keep you updated on your child’s learning journey and encourage you to share your child’s wider achievements with us. Families are encouraged to contact Mrs Amanda McBain (DHT) at school if they have any worries or concerns regarding their child. We have regular events throughout the year to which families are invite to attend. These include cafés, celebration events and parents’ workshops.
Uniform
At Glencryan School, we encourage all pupils to wear school uniform. Our school uniform consists of a navy-blue sweatshirt, light blue polo shirt/shirt and dark skirt/trousers. School uniform can be ordered online but we do have surplus stock that can be purchased, at cost price, by contacting school directly. All pupils participate in PE and Swimming. Pupils require tracksuit bottoms/leggings/shorts, t-shirt, and a pair of indoor shoes for PE. Football kits are not permitted. For Swimming, pupils require a swimming costume (one-piece only)/swimming shorts, a towel, and goggles.
Curriculum
In the Secondary Department we deliver broad, general education through Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes.
Home-School Links
Good home-school links are encouraged by our open-door policy. Parents are welcome to telephone for an appointment at a mutually agreed time and are encouraged to discuss any problems as soon as they occur, rather than allowing situations to escalate. The use of the home-school diary or Class Dojo is encouraged for pupils with language and communication difficulties.
Assessment
Assessment within the Secondary Department is continuous and recorded for each pupil individually. Assessment results are then used as a basis for reporting to families, verbally or in writing. We currently have two Parents’ Evenings during the year, and we provide families with a comprehensive written report in June.
Promoting Positive Behaviour
We recognise that every pupil is an individual with individual strengths and difficulties. Each pupil within the Secondary Department has a GIRFMe Plan. During Health and Wellbeing lessons pupils are encouraged to be caring and respectful towards each other. Within the Secondary Department we have worked together to develop rules to which the School Community are expected to adhere. Occasionally pupils can become dysregulated. Usually, these difficulties are minor and can be manged within class, but sometimes higher levels of support are required. When intervention by the Class Teacher does not improve the situation for a particular pupil, then the matter is referred to a Principal Teacher or the Depute Head Teacher who will then decide how to proceed. We endeavour to consult with families when difficulties arise as to the nature of the difficulties, and possible solutions. Some pupils may benefit from a Promoting Positive Behaviour Support Plan. We celebrate pupil success through our ‘Kindness Counts’ reward system and our ‘Nice Notes’ programme.
