The Faculty of Support for Learning encompasses the Departments of Support for Learning and English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) and we work in partnership with Stretching the Able, subject departments, the Medical Department, Child Protection and Counselling to ensure that we share necessary information about pupils.

Our aim is to support pupils' learning through the School to enable them to achieve their potential.  Pupils are taught either individually or in small groups in timetabled classes.

In addition to teaching Support for Learning and ESOL classes, staff work closely with subject departments and Admissions.  We assess the level of pupils' needs before admission as well as monitoring progress during their School journey. We also meet with parents to discuss reports and our provision for their son.

We have strong links with educational psychologists, optometrists, the Movement and Learning Centre and other professionals and recommend assessment by these professionals as required. 

We work with the Exams Officer to ensure that applications for special arrangements in external examinations, (scribing, use of laptop, extra time etc), are made for those pupils who require them.

In addition to lessons, some in-class support is provided.

Irene Stewart BEd: Head of the Faculty
Juliet Vaughan BA: Head of Junior Support for Learning
Paul Corbett MA:  ESOL Co-ordinator
Catriona Walker BA: Teacher of ESOL
Mary-Lyn Osborne BEd:  Teacher of ESOL and Support for Learning
Jackie Ghazal:  Pringle Centre Support Assistant
Steve Gilmour: Support Assistant
Andrea Almeida UCA:  International student support
Joanna Bisset BA, MA, RGN:  International student support
James Dixon MA:  Stretching the Able
Fiona Blair:  Counsellor
Jane McKinlay:  ESOL Consultant

The ESOL and Support for Learning departments moved into the newly refurbished Harvey Hub at the beginning of the Summer Term 2010.  The accommodation consists of three bright classrooms, a tutorial room, a meeting room and a study.  Each room is equipped with a computer, with the three classroom computers being linked to overhead projectors. 

Support for Learning and ESOL classes, as well as Cecil Stagg Society meetings, are housed in Harvey Hub.  It is here that twice-weekly Drop-in sessions are held, open to all pupils, and pupils are welcome to use the rooms for private study.   This is also the base for pupils requiring special access arrangements, such as scribes, during the external examination period.

• Pupils are prepared for Cambridge Preliminary English Test for schools, IGCSE: English as a Second Language and IELTS.
• Staff support pupils with prep in Houses in the evening.
• VI Form pupils listen to younger pupils reading and work with individual or small groups of pupils in Drop-in sessions.

• Cecil Stagg Society (for Able pupils)
• International Student Forum
• Drop-in sessions open to all pupils
• Cultural trips to Edinburgh, related to subject areas where appropriate
• Excellent individual exam results for ESOL and Support for Learning pupils