Category: Secondary Department

Welcome to the Secondary Department

The secondary department has 8 classes and pupils follow the principles of Curriculum for Excellence: a broad general education in S1-S3 and the Senior Phase in S4- S6.   The curriculum is varied, relevant, challenging, enjoyable and adapted to meet our pupil’s individual needs.  Pupils also visit a range of specialists, have access to relevant therapeutic inputs and participate in wider community events.

Children’s Author visit

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On the 7th of November, we were lucky to have the amazing children’s author, Phil Earle, visit us at Orchard Brae as part of the Scottish Book Trust 20th anniversary tour.

We had a wonderful time hearing about where Phil finds his inspiration (his family, wrestlers and front doors have been big influences) and we even got to hear him read two of his books to us along with a wee bit of dressing up in between!!

Phil has since written a wonderful blog for the Scottish Book Trust about working with pupils with additional support needs. There are some great photos of his visit to Orchard Brae included in the blog and he confirms what we all know about our students – that they are passionate and enthusiastic and this shines throughout everything they do!

Well done to all the students who participated with such enthusiasm and thank you Phil and the Scottish Book Trust for an amazing experience that they will never forget!

 

 

Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh with Howes Hoose

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The group were working with Toby , our Duke of Edinburgh support person, learning to put up a tent. Thankfully it was not pouring with rain or blowing a gale so we did very well. Everyone agreed it was very cosy inside!

Room 15 – Miles for Refugees

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Room 15 comprises an eclectic group of very determined young learners, each very much with their own personality and their own skills and abilities, likes and dislikes.  Much of the learning in Room 15 is achieved through sensory activities and experiential learning. Group sessions can present a challenge for some of the learners and they work hard on the social skills that will assist them as they progress.

In Room 15 we have been exploring the differences and similarities between our lives and that of others.  We took part in the British Red Cross Miles for Refugees project. We all went round the playground to simulate the miles that refugees travel seeking a safe space. Refugees use different forms of transport. In our class we used pacers, trikes, wheelchairs and our feet.

Room 18 – On the Go!

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Room 18 have had a very busy term developing many of their life-skills including ironing, dish washing, making sandwiches and having fun with their friends along the way.

Out and about with Room 16

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Room 16 has been busy this term.  We focused on the Supermarket as our World of Work interdisciplinary theme – exploring the different jobs there are as well as developing our money handling skills. We have also started on our outdoor education award with the John Muir Trust, so watch this space! 

 

Eco Bricks with Room 14

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As Part of an SQA module and class recycling we are making Eco Bricks this year.

We are going to make the bricks into a table for our summer snacks outside.

Room 12 – Post Office Fun

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Room 12’s Post Office

 As part of our school topic “Our World of Work”, we have been looking at Post Offices and have set up our own one in the classroom!

We have been given some resources for role play from one of the local Post Offices and have been using them to write our own postcards to people in school, posting them and delivering them.

We have been using stampers and stamps, envelopes and parcels. We have been exchanging items for money at the till and taking turns to be the cashier. We have been learning how Post Offices work and the journey of a letter from writing it to its delivery. We have listened to stories relating to letters and postmen/women and used everything we have learned to role play and have fun at the Room 12 Post Office!

More photos to come!!

Halloween fun at Orchard Brae

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In October the Pupil Council met and discussed options for a whole school  Halloween Activity.

The options were to have a Halloween disco, design a pumpkin or do both. After a whole school vote pupils chose to do both. A picture graph was used to share the results of the vote.

Caroline judged the pumpkin competition and decided that everyone was a winner as they were all unique and individual.

This was followed by the Halloween disco which was enjoyed by all.