Kelso High School
Parent Council
ELAINE DYER
PRINCIPAL TEACHER OF SUPPORT FOR LEARNING
FEBRUARY 2023

Additional Support Needs
Scottish Government Data shows that a third of young people have an Additional Support Need.
All children and young people have the right to get the support they need to reach their full learning potential.
In Scotland, we have an inclusive educational system which focuses on overcoming barriers to learning
and Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC).
Some children and young people need additional support to benefit fully from their education.
Additional support needs can arise, in the short or long term, from a variety of circumstances including:
• the learning environment
• family circumstances
• health or disability needs
• social and emotional factors
LEGISLATION CAN BE VERY CONFUSING AND OVERWHELMING -
Enquire - The Scottish advice service for additional support for learning

Neurodiversity:
Attention Deficit (Hyper-Active) Disorder (ADHD)
Autism (ASD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Tourette's Syndrome
Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia

Dyslexia:
It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing
and spelling.
It is a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities
used for learning, such as reading and writing.
Unlike a learning disability, intelligence is not affected.
See dyslexia differently - Bing video

How do WE support young people with
dyslexia?
 Accept and celebrate differences… at home, in school and across our community
 Emphasis individual strengths and skills…Growth Mind Set – Things can change
 Identify strategies to overcome barriers – organisation skills, check-lists, visual prompts,
digital watch, make use of Audio books, Comic/Magazines, Cinema/Theatre visits,
clubs/groups.
 Provide access to technologies – accessibility features such as: digital readers, spellcheck,
speech to text, Mindmaps, Notes/Reminders/Calendar App,
 Build self esteem and self belief
 Focus on developing independence and life skills

Kelso High School strategies:
• P&C database – every pupil with an identified need is provided with an ASN
Profile – describes needs and provides suggested strategies including
Assessment Arrangements
• Assessment of Needs/Identification of literacy needs, dyslexia etc
• Promote use of Technology at all levels/stages and use of accessibility features
features (Universal iPads including Speech to text, text to speech, Scan Apps –
Office Lens, 365 Immersive Reader), laptops (Natural Reader) Scanner Pens).
• CPD for staff – Padlet, Inset sessions, Faculty CPD sessions, CPD Bites
Additional Support Needs CPD area (padlet.com)
• Supports for Pupils - Dyslexia Hub, Literacy Interventions, Nurture Groups,
Neurodiversity group.
• Dyslexia Ambassadors – focus on P7 Transition
• Digital Approaches in Assessments/Exams
• Neurodiversity Celebration Week – awareness raising

Kelso High School Dyslexia Hub:
By year group, once a month
Building Community – belonging, acceptance, celebrating difference
Understanding the impact of Dyslexia
Using technology
Positive Mental Attitude and Wellbeing
Problem solving – Growth Mind Set – ‘this can change’
Supporting others – Dyslexia Ambassadors

Useful Links:
https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/additional-support-for-learning/
Additional support for learning - Schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/additional-support
Does your child need additional support for learning? | Additional support | Scottish Borders Council (scotborders.gov.uk)
Enquire - The Scottish advice service for additional support for learning
Dyslexia ScotlandDyslexia Scotland - Empowering people with dyslexia to reach their full potential
A dyslexic young person | Dyslexia Scotland - Dyslexia Scotland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7tjWrBey88 – Growth Mind Set Carole Dweck
Introduction | Neurodiversity Celebration Week (neurodiversityweek.com)

Questions???