Additional Support Needs

Principal Teacher | Mrs Christie

Faculty Overview

Mrs Tracey Marsh
Mrs Vikki Robb

Depute Head Teacher Link - Mr Tom Mawhirt gw09mawhirtthomas2@angus-ed.org

School & Pupil Support Assistants - Mrs Jackie Arslanturk & Mrs Christine Alexander

Supporting Excellence in Learning at Brechin High

We plan and provide support for pupils from P6 to S6 in partnership with primaries, subject colleagues, community groups and further education providers.

Follow the link below to our home learning site, BHS ASN Learning @ Home.

BHS ASN Learning @ Home

Junior Transition

We work closely with our primary colleagues throughout Primary 6 and 7 in order to put the best supports in place for all pupils arriving in S1. We gather information from child centred planning and review meetings, observation of pupils in primary classes and pupil profile information provided by each primary school.

We share this information with our BHS colleagues through Pupil Profiles and IEPs to support the whole-school transition programme and to plan for effective in-class support in S1.

For pupils with a higher level of additional support need, we offer an Enhanced Transition programme tailored to pupils, and plan ahead for individualised learning in S1.

Enhanced Transition Programme

Enhanced Transition Booklet

Here you will find our Enhanced Transition Booklet.

Pupil Profiles and Individual Education Plans

These are regularly updated as we get to know each child and gather feedback from subject teachers across the school as well as our PCS colleagues at regular House Meetings. ASN Review meetings take place in April each year to review pupil progress and plan timetables tailored to pupils with a higher level of additional support need. Further IEP reviews take place in September and January each year.

Senior Transition

Following ASN Review meetings in school, support needs are shared with a multidisciplinary team at the Angus Transition Conference every September. Professionals from Education, Health and Social Work use this opportunity to plan for young people who will need support to leave school and follow their chosen pathway.

We work closely with parents and partners such as D&A College and the Angus Council Transition Team to ensure pupils are supported to access destinations such as a Supported Education Programme at D&A College in Arbroath or an Adult Resource Centre.

Support Timeline

Throughout P6/7 - BHS transition team attend primary based review meetings
Throughout P7 - BHS transition team observe pupils in P7 classes, provide Enhanced Transition programme and share Pupil Profiles from primaries with BHS teaching staff
September - ASN Settling in Reports S1-6
October - IEP (June-Sept) Reviews S1-3, Transition meetings inc. IEP Reviews S4-6
November - P7 Parent’s Evening
December - ASN Christmas Party for pupils, parents and staff
January - IEP (Oct-Jan) Reviews S1-3, Prelim Exam Support Timetable
February - ASN Annual Reports S1-6, Transition meetings inc. IEP Reviews S4-6

March - ASN Parent’s Night hosting a variety of ASN Support Services
April - ASN Review Meetings inc. IEP (Feb-Apr) Reviews S1-3, Transition meetings inc. IEP Reviews S4-6
May - SQA Exam Support Timetable

How does ASN support pupils, parents and staff?

Universal support

This level of support is directly planned for and provided by the class teacher for individual or groups of pupils. Class teachers will differentiate lessons, materials and outcomes to best support the pupils in their classes. They will adapt resources and use different teaching strategies as part of this process. They will plan this support based on Pupil Profiles, IEPs and consultation with ASN who may also create differentiated resources.

ASN teachers write and regularly update Guidance Notes (see below) on useful strategies to overcome barriers to learning. A range of additional resources on a wide range of barriers to learning are also available to all staff. We also plan a staff training programme where we invite ASN specialists into school to share best practice throughout the year.

Guidance Notes - strategies used by all staff to support all pupils

ADHD - coming soon

ASD & ODD - coming soon

Dysgraphia - coming soon

Dyspraxia & other Motor Difficulties - coming soon

English as an Additional Language ( EAL) - coming soon

Global Developmental Delay & Learning Difficulties - coming soon

Hearing Impairment - coming soon

Literacy Difficulties, Dyslexia & Visual Stress

Numeracy Difficulties & Dyscalculia - coming soon

Selective Mutism - coming soon

Speech Disorders - coming soon

Visual Impairment - coming soon

In class support

This is support provided by an ASN teacher or SPSA (School and Pupil Support Assistant). An ASN plan is made with the class teacher to support individuals, small groups or the whole class using Tracking & Monitoring information to improve attainment.

Specialist ASN Groups

ASN staff run the following programmes for small groups of pupils.

Functional Communication Skills
The Resilience Group - focused on team-building and developing self-confidence
John Muir Award - based on practical technical skills and outdoor learning

Off-timetable support

This is support provided within the ASN department for pupils who are not attending all classes. This may be due to barriers to learning as well as medical or personal circumstances. We work closely with subjects to ensure pupils stay on track with classwork and complete a range of qualifications even if they are not attending class.

We offer support to gain the following qualifications.

National 5
- Numeracy
- Literacy
Level 5 Personal Finance
National 4
- Numeracy
- Literacy
- ESOL

Level 4 Personal Finance
National 3
- Numeracy
- Maths
- Literacy
- English
- ESOL

Plus a range of specific subjects in conjunction with subject teachers

Supported Education Timetable

This is an alternative pathway for pupils with multiple and complex needs.

Broad General Education - Learning is planned using Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes as well as the Milestones for Literacy and English, and Numeracy and Maths, more recently issued by Education Scotland.

We share good practice with our ASN colleagues around Angus and look at other authorities such as Aberdeen who produced a draft curriculum framework for the education of pupils with multiple and complex needs.

Our curriculum design also encompasses good practise advocated by Equals, an ASN charity (www.equals.co.uk). Their ethos is that…

Learning…

focuses on the development of life skills and communication skills,

is personalised to pupils,

is linked to a pupil’s learning journey rather than age or key stage,

and aims for the highest level of pupil independence possible.

Learners achieve according to their individual abilities and interests.

Senior Phase - From S4 onwards, our focus is on preparing pupils for their chose future pathway and they have the opportunity to complete a wide range of units and awards at National 1 and 2. There is also a greater focus on employability skills and work experience opportunities as well as support to visit and attend college link courses.