Pupil Support

Welcome to the Pupil Support Faculty

 

Our role in school is to support inclusion and ensure that each pupil at Knox meets their full personal and academic potential. Our mission is to provide top quality support to the process of teaching and learning at Knox. A copy of our Faculty Handbook can be accessed here.

Staff: 

  • Miss L Adam (CL - Garleton)
  • Mr S Meekison (CL - Lammerlaw)
  • Mrs W Doig (CL - Traprain)
  • Mrs J Wright (CL - Support for Learning)
  • Miss S Fox (CL - Inclusion)

 

Courses Offered:

  • S1/S2 Health and Wellbeing (in conjunction with the HE and PE Departments)
  • S3-6 Social Education
  • S3 course is a core programme
  • S4 course includes Work Experience
  • S5 course includes 'Self In Society' projects
  • S6 course includes UCAS applications

Support for Learning:

Welcome to Support for Learning. Our role in school is to  support to the process of learning and teaching at Knox Academy. We offer a variety of services to support pupils and teachers, including:

Inclusion Team:

The Inclusion team focuses on building safe relationships based on mutual respect to improve self-worth and self-value. Relationships are fostered using a variety of channels to promote the shared school values of Ambition, Respect and Community.

Our vision is: Here for you, no matter what

HQ- this room is used for classes teaching our Alternative Curriculum Pathway including SQA qualifications in the Wellbeing Award, Personal Development Award and Tenancy Award with Employability. We also deliver JAS, Young Carers and our Soft Start programmes here as well as Supported Registration and Break/Lunch club.

BASE - this room offers a space each period for pupils needing time out of class to work independently, to access support on classwork for a limited period of time, or as part of a phased return to school. Pupils can access this space by speaking to their House team.

Nurture room - this room offers a safe space for therapeutic sessions managed by outside agencies, as well as a quiet space for anyone who becomes overwhelmed or upset during the school day. It includes sensory items and is available as part of soft start when required.

Alternative Curriculum Pathway

The Inclusion team offers courses including SQA qualifications across all years to pupils who struggle to access the mainstream curriculum for a variety of reasons. Classes are small and tailored to meet the needs of pupils requiring a different approach to more traditional teaching methods. Young people who attend an Alternative Curriculum Pathway course every year will achieve the following SQA qualifications:
National 3 Wellbeing Award
National 3 Personal Development Award
National 4 Tenancy Award
National 4 Employability Award

S1 - JAS Award

JAS has 4 Sections which can be run at the same time or one after the other, in any order:
My Interests, Get Active Stay Active, Me and My World, and Adventure. Activities for each of the 4 Sections can be tailored to individual needs, interests and strengths. Completing the sections can build confidence, encourage teamwork and develop skills, encouraging children and young people to be active and involved in their community.
More information is available here: https://jasaward.org.uk/
Pupils attend 1 period per week for the academic year.

S2 - Wellbeing Award National 3

This course covers a range of important topics, exploring different types of wellbeing, how wellbeing can be influenced by life circumstances and situations, and strategies to promote and maintain positive wellbeing. The course includes 2 units – Exploring Wellbeing and Improving Wellbeing. As part of the course, pupils complete an individual or group project that focuses on improving their own wellbeing. Pupils attend two periods per week for the academic year to complete the award.

S3 - Personal Development Award National 3

This course is designed to help pupils develop a range of important skills including practical abilities, interpersonal communication, and skills for the workplace. This course includes 3 units – Practical Abilities, Life in Work and Life in Community. It is an excellent opportunity to build confidence and prepare for life beyond school and involves working as part of a small group to develop a chosen project. The programme is carefully planned to support learners and is delivered in a supportive and inclusive small group environment. Pupils attend 2 periods per week for the academic year to complete the award.

Senior Phase - Tenancy Award National 4 (with optional Employability Award)

The Tenancy Award is designed to prepare young people for independent living and includes key units on personal finance, housing rights and responsibilities, and essential life skills such as basic cooking and cleaning. The units for this course are Personal Finance, Housing and Practical Cookery Skills. The award aims to build confidence, promote independence, and equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they will need in adult life.
In addition, we offer the Employability Award as part of this programme, in collaboration with East Lothian Works. This course is run at National 4 level and comprises of 3 units – Preparing for Employment, Building Employability Skills, and Responsibilities of Employment.
Pupils attend 4 periods per week for the academic year.

Inclusion and Wellbeing Support

Supported Registration

Supported registration offers a calm and quiet start to the day for a small number of young people. Supported registration is accessed via House teams and is available to pupils across all year groups.

Soft start

Soft start is held in HQ every morning during period 1. It is designed to help students settle into the day in a calm and positive way. It provides a quieter, more flexible environment where young people can gradually transition into learning, supported by staff who are familiar with their needs. This provision is led by our BASE staff, who are experienced in offering tailored support and creating a welcoming start to the day.
As part of the soft start, breakfast is available, and students have access to a range of quiet activities such as board games, a dedicated sensory zone, and the opportunity for 1:1 check-ins with staff as required. This approach is intended to reduce anxiety, improve emotional wellbeing, and support a more successful and settled day of learning.
Soft start is accessed via House teams and is available to pupils across all year groups.

Break/Lunch Club

Our Breaktime and Lunchtime clubs are available every day for any young person seeking a calm, quiet, safe space to sit with adult support.  Pupils can attend by themselves or with a friend and can come and go as they wish.  There is no requirement to attend every day or to speak to House teams in order to access this support.

Young Carers

Young Carers in S1/2 are offered the chance to join this group to learn practical skills such as cooking with air fryers, budgeting and planning a meal. Young people also complete the Wellbeing Award as part of this offer and attend 2 periods per week for the full academic year.

 

We always welcome feedback from parents and carers. If you have general suggestions, or if you have concerns about an individual pupil, please do not hesitate to contact us