We have reached the end of another very busy week of learning at Heathery Knowe PS and Nursery Class and I am delighted to see almost all learners are settled and working purposefully towards their learning targets.
Settling in meetings
For some children starting school or changing classes can be very unsettling. Over the next week, Mrs French, Mrs McGee and I will be contacting parents of pupils who have not settled readily into the new school session to arrange an early settling in review. This will provide an opportunity for the class teacher, member of the leadership team and parents to meet together and discuss the best way to support the child.
If you feel that your child has not settled well and you would like to request an early settling in review, please contact the following members of the leadership team:
Nursery – Primary 2 – Mrs Duff
Primary 3-4 – Mrs McGee
Primary 5-7 – Mrs French
Targeted Support
Every year, we provide targeted support for learning for children who require additional support in one or more aspects of their learning or wellbeing. This is done through a staged intervention process. If your child receives targeted support, you will be informed of the intervention and measures of success.
Stage 1 intervention – this is an intervention provided within class and by the staff normally working in the classroom. It can involve additional resources, additional teaching time or an individualised plan.
Stage 2 intervention – this is an intervention provided within the school resources. Stage 2 interventions are required if the child needs more support than can be provided within the class. Normally the child will be supported / taught in a small group with staff from within the school for a short period of time during the week to make progress in a particular area.
Stage 3 intervention – this is an intervention provided by resources outwith the school but within Education Resources. The Specialist Support Teacher, Elaine Byrne, visits the school for 1.5 days each week and works with children supported at stage 3.
Now that the children have been in class for two weeks, we are able to start providing interventions to support children’s learning arising through additional support needs or as part of the school’s Covid 19 recovery curriculum. Interventions are specific and targeted and only in place for as long as is required to support the child.
Mrs French is the school and nursery Additional Support Needs co-ordinator and oversees all of the interventions in place to support learners.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress in learning or attainment, please contact Mrs Duff for Nursery – Primary 4 and Mrs French for P5-7.
Covid 19 Procedures
The guidance regarding positive cases of Covid-19 within educational establishments has been updated. On receipt of a positive PCR test result, a communication to parents would be issued to advise of a positive case within our school community.
Individual children and classes will not form part of track and trace and will not be asked to isolate as a close contact within education.
If there is a positive case within your home, I would ask that you inform the school and follow the steps advised by the NHS.
Blurt Foundation
I am delighted to share that Heathery Knowe PS has been selected to participate in an education project in partnership with The Blurt Foundation. Primary 7 pupils will participate in developing their knowledge of emotional wellbeing and positive mental health by participating in the national education programme.
You can find out more about the programme by clicking on the following link:
Participatory Budgeting
Education Resources at South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed their commitment to a process of ‘Participatory Budgeting’. This is a method of allowing all school stakeholders to take part in spending decisions regarding Pupil Equity Funding.
There is an overall budget of £10,000 allocated to improving school grounds to raise attainment and support pupil wellbeing. The aim of the project is to:
- Improve grounds for outdoor learning, leading to higher levels of engagement in real life contexts for learning.
- Improve health and wellbeing by promoting play at all school stages, engaging learners during breaks to reduce instances of unsettled behaviour.
- Improve collaborative learning opportunities and encourage pupils to extend learning in the natural environment.
All parents, pupils and stakeholders will be consulted by questionnaire and focus groups. We are looking for a group of 6 -8 parents to join the consultation group on how this money is allocated. Parents involved in the consultation group need to be available throughout the financial year. If this is something you are interested in and can commit to the meetings, please contact Mrs French or Miss Wharton by Wednesday 1st September with your name, contact information and the name of your child/ren (to ensure we have representation throughout the school).
If you’d like more information on ‘Participatory Budgeting’ please visit https://pbscotland.scot/pb-in-schools.
Adult Volunteers
We hope that we will be able to welcome adult volunteers back into school soon to support children’s learning or to share talents.
If you would like to help within school, either to support children’s learning or to teach children a new skill, please contact Miss Wharton to let her know.
All adults volunteering in school must have a PVG certificate issued by Disclosure Scotland before they can start in school.
What’s on next week?
Mrs Duff visiting classes to discuss Promoting Positive Relationships and Understanding Distressed Behaviour
Monday – P7 Gardening Club
Thursday – Educational Psychologist meeting Mrs Duff for planning meeting.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
