The aim of Mintlaw Academy is to ensure that every pupil receives an education APPROPRIATE to his/her needs and abilities.  This is a whole school responsibility, and all staff work to ensure that the curriculum in its design, organisation and presentation, is such that the needs of individual pupils are taken into account.

Pupils with learning difficulties and additional support needs have their learning supported by the Academy Support for Learning Team and the Curriculum Support Centre.  The Support for Learning service cannot be seen in isolation from the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning in the Academy but is an integral part of learning strategies of all areas of the curriculum.   This whole school approach should ensure that all pupils have access to the curriculum.

Learning difficulties are experienced by a wide and diverse range of pupils.  They extend well beyond pupils who have difficulty in learning anything at all, and include those who have trouble coping with ideas and concepts, and in many cases, the language in which they are expressed.  (H.M.I. Report 1978).

In order to support pupils with learning difficulties and additional support needs, the Academy SFL team is organised to provide the following:-

1. Co-operative/team teaching between SFL. and class teachers within the classroom to support pupils experiencing difficulties at all stages.

2. Provision - preparation of materials, joint development and differentiation of courses and course materials, recommendation of resources - printed, software, video or audio.

3. Auxiliary support for individual identified pupils e.g. pupils with physical disability, ADHD etc.

4. Individual and/or group tuition of pupils either in class or on a withdrawal basis for short periods of time in order to reinforce work or overcome difficulties.

5. Support for pupils with assessment both in S1 and S2 and for Standard Grade courses, in the form of scribing, reading etc.

6. Delivery of Lifeskills Modular option for identified pupils in S3/S4 with learning difficulties.

7. Co-ordination of work done by external agencies - Visually Impaired, Teacher for the Deaf, Speech Therapist, Psychologist etc., and of the work of pupils with a Record of Need.

8. Consultation between subject, guidance and SFL staff to plan appropriate strategies for pupils with learning difficulties within the context of provision identified above.

As members of the Academy SFL team have a direct line to primary experience through the "float" system, they are in a position to transfer information relating to pupils with Learning Difficulties and Additional Support Needs moving from P7 to S1 so that continuity is achieved with secondary staff being made fully aware of pupils difficulties and hence appropriate provision being made.  The transfer of information is co-ordinated by the Principal Teacher of Support for Learners.

CURRICULUM SUPPORT CENTRE

This facility is to provide an additional resource for the pupils whose additional support needs cannot easily be met entirely within the current mainstream provision, and is staffed by specialist teachers.

The Support for Learning Team and the centre form a Support for Learners network, an integral part of the teaching and learning process within the academy.  This network is in effect a whole school resource but also works in partnership with parents, the community and collaboratively with outside agencies.

PROVISION FOR PUPILS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES (DYSLEXIA)

In Mintlaw Academy and its associated primary schools a number of pupils have specific learning difficulties (Sp. L.D.) also known as DYSLEXIA.  Many others experience dyslexic type difficulties.  A specialised learning unit for primary aged pupils with dyslexia has been established within Crimond Primary School, but no such provision exists at Secondary level.

In Mintlaw Academy it is recognised that it is the right of every pupil to have full access to the curriculum.  While the Support for Learning service exists to support pupils with learning difficulties it may be that some form of enhancement to current SFL provision is required to support pupils with Sp. L.D's.