Support for Learning in Whalsay School

There are six members of staff in the Support for Learning Department consisting of a teacher and five part-time learning support workers. They play a crucial role in ensuring the additional learning needs of pupils are met in the school.

Many pupils will need some extra support during their school life; this support may be for educational, behavioural or emotional difficulties.  The SfL department supports these pupils, from Nursery through to Secondary 4, in a range of different ways, these include:

• supporting class and subject teachers with the delivery of the curriculum to targeted pupils
• providing support and information to class and subject teachers on different learning needs and how best to support them
• supporting class and subject teachers with the differentiation of teaching materials
• working collaboratively with staff to help pupils participate as fully as possible in the educational and social opportunities the school has to offer
• small group support – targeted lessons to meet the specific needs of a small group of pupils
• providing individualised support for pupils with a specific learning difficulty.  This may be for a certain subject or a specific area of need.  Some pupils may require significant individualisation for their learning and adaptation of the curriculum. In these cases SfL staff, together with class and subject teachers, will draw up an Individualised Educational Programme (IEP)
• in secondary, the SfL Teacher takes Focussed Learning classes
• carrying out observations and assessment of pupils who are experiencing barriers to their learning.  This may lead onto a referral to educational support services – Speech and Language, Psychological Services, ASN Outreach, Home Schooling etc
• Liaising with staff, support services, parents and pupils to ensure the needs of any pupil experiencing difficulties are met.

There is a Support for Learning room in each school building, these are both equipped with a computer and iPad in addition to a full range of resources to meet different learning needs.

The SfL Teacher meets weekly with the school management team, this provides the opportunity to discuss pupils on a regular basis and helps ensure appropriate support is provided and that pupils achieve their potential.