A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Pupils at Ardvreck are provided with a secure and positive atmosphere in which to learn.

Learning Support is central to everything we do at Ardvreck and it is the responsibility of every member of staff. The children’s wellbeing is at the heart of our decision-making to ensure the children feel safe; are healthy; achieve; feel nurtured; are active; are respected; are responsible; and feel included. This structure includes an effective continuum of support to meet the needs of all learners through the careful planning and monitoring of every child’s learning and wellbeing.

Our teachers accept responsibility for the education of every child they teach, regardless of that child’s apparent ability, and develop a range of flexible teaching methods to deal with a wide range of abilities within the class. Curriculum materials are differentiated so that work is accessible and suits the range of abilities within the class. All teachers liaise with Learning Support and other teachers to ensure a consistent approach is used across the school.

DEDICATED STAFF

Our Learning Support staff support learning and wellbeing across the whole school and assist in the delivery of differentiated tasks for all pupils experiencing learning challenges. They work collaboratively with teachers, parents and external agencies to meet the needs of all pupils.

Getting it Right for Every Child is very important to us at Ardvreck. We assess our pupils’ wellbeing termly using the Wellbeing Web and have a follow-up protocol should any of the SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators ‘flag up’.

Our pupils complete Reading and Spelling Standardised Tests twice a year to ensure all those requiring targeted support are being nurtured. They also complete GL assessments in Maths and English. In addition, we administer the CAT4 – a cognitive abilities test – to all new pupils and to Form 3 and Form 6 pupils to support educational development and academic attainment. We use the CAT4 to help pupils and their teachers to plan strategically and to set targets that provide the appropriate level of challenge.