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Argyll and Bute Council provides additional learning support to help looked after children make the most of their school education.
Giving our children and young people the best possible start is paramount to sustaining a thriving and diverse economy for Argyll and Bute. The council’s education service has developed a range of ways to ensure looked after children are prepared for life’s opportunities.
Schools are developing support geared to locally identified needs. For example, a primary school in the Cowal area provides a breakfast club bar for pupils from vulnerable backgrounds. The same school runs an ‘atmosphere group’ where pupils can learn to talk about their feelings.
Dunoon Grammar School works closely with the local Dunclutha children’s unit to offer a weekly study group for looked after children to help with study skills and exam preparation.
Oban High School offers flexible and individual timetables for pupils with health, social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
In Hermitage Academy looked after children are among a number of pupils who are supported through lunch time and after school homework sessions.
Schools have a named person for looked after children who provides support to them, as well as a senior manager who has responsibility for all looked after children in the school.
The level of support offered to pupils is matched to their individual needs and may be met from within existing school and classroom resources or, where needed, may take the form of additional support such as individual or group tuition and extra time to complete assessments and exams.
Seven area principal teachers are committed to identifying pupils with additional support needs in Lorn and Tiree, Mull, Islay, Kintyre, Mid Argyll, Helensburgh and Lomond, and Bute and Cowal. The council’s education support workers and the education psychology service are involved in providing support.
The educational support and achievement of looked after children continues to be a priority for the council’s education service, working with partner agencies.
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