Additional Support Needs in Schools

Additional Support Needs (ASN)

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (the Act) defines "additional support need" as:

Where, for whatever reason, the child or young person is, or is likely to be, unable without the provision of additional support to benefit from school education provided or to be provided for the child or young person.

Furthermore the Act defines additional support as:

• in relation to an eligible pre-school child, a child of school age or a young person receiving school education, provision (whether or not educational provision) which is additional to, or otherwise different from, the educational provision made generally for children or, as the case may be, young person of the same age in school (other than special school) under the management of the education authority responsible for the school education of the child/young person;
• in relation to a child under school age other than an eligible pre-school child, such provision as is appropriate in the circumstances.

Additional Support Needs Schools

Many mainstream schools are very successful in meeting the needs of all learners. As an exception some learners needs may require a specialist provision to meet their individual need.

Section 29 of The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (the Act) defines "special school" as:

• a school under the management of the local authority, or
• any class or other unit forming part of a public school which is not itself a special school, the sole or main purpose of which is to provide education especially suited to the additional support needs of children or young persons selected for attendance at the school, class or (as the case may be) unit by reason of those needs.

The Education (Scotland Act) 1980 defines "school education" as progressive education appropriate to the requirements of pupils . . ., regard being had to the age, ability and aptitude of such pupils, and includes:

• early learning and childcare;
• provision for special educational needs;
• the teaching of Gaelic in Gaelic-speaking areas

The dedicated special schools in West Lothian promote positive outcomes and high-quality support for our learners.

Special Schools within West Lothian

	Beatlie School Campus	Beatlie School Campus (opens new window)
	Cedarbank School	Cedarbank School Website (opens new window)
	Connolly School	Connolly Campus Website (opens new window)
	Ogilvie School	Ogilvie School Website (opens new window)
	Pinewood School	Pinewood School Website (opens new window)
	Skills Centre	Inclusion and Wellbeing Service Website (opens new window)

The presumption of mainstreaming acknowledges the right of all learners with additional support needs to learn in mainstream schools and early learning and childcare settings.

West Lothian Council is required to comply with the presumption that, unless exceptional circumstances exist, learners will be educated in a mainstream school. Before deciding in relation to the educational provision appropriate for a learner, the council will consider the views of the child or young person and the parent/carer. It will also consider the specific educational requirements and any support needs of the child or young person. This inclusive approach to education enables all learners to be part of a community, boosting their emotional wellbeing and aiding the development of social skills.

A child/young person may identify as requiring additional interventions to alleviate specific barriers to learning. Enhanced Resource Bases (ERB's) provide targeted support optimising the learning experience for the individual within a specialist environment.

Learners attending the ERB will have access to a wide range of tailored activities that balance the development of life and social skills and at the same time, encapsulate all key elements of the curriculum.

After rigorous assessment to determine best educational provision for the pupil, place within the ERB will be allocated as a full-time educational provision or alternatively, can accessed as part of a small group setting within a pupils mainstream learning structure. 

Enhanced Resource Bases are located across a number of secondary and primary school sectors in West Lothian.