Pastoral Care (Safeguarding, wellbeing & online safety)
Falkland House School provides a welcoming, inclusive environment for young people with additional support needs. This is delivered through small class sizes (maximum of 6 pupils), highly qualified and experienced staff and a modern school campus with access to the great outdoors.
Each young person who starts with us has a designated Key Worker who will be there to support them every step of the way.
Our student’s health and wellbeing are of upmost importance to us and is a key part of school life. We encourage our students to eat together at mealtimes, socialise together and undertake physical exercise each day. In addition, our on-site clinical team undertake a thorough assessment of every new student to determine the support they require. You can read more about our clinical provision here.
Online safety is a key part of preparing young people for the rigours of the modern world, and how to keep themselves safe online. Online safety is part of our core curriculum and is delivered through our DigiTech programme. To prioritise wellbeing and keep young people safe, the internet in the school is restricted at certain times of day.
Uniform
To support our students who have sensory issues we do not have a school uniform at our Perth campus. Young people are encouraged to wear clothing that is comfortable and practical and removes any barriers to their education.
Menu
Our school menu is heavily influenced by our young people and rotates throughout the school term. Young people are encouraged to contribute towards eating healthily and develop skills for independence in both the design of the menu and preparation of food for mealtimes. Our menus consider current nutritional advice, any special dietary requirements of our students, and of course, personal preferences!
All students are encouraged and supported to eat together at mealtimes in our school dining hall (see below) which helps to foster a sense of community within the school and supports our young people to socialise and build friendships.
Timetable
At Falkland House School Perth we aim to give our young people the skills, insight, confidence, and resilience needed to meet the world and success in it. Our current timetable reflects the needs of our young people and prioritises their physical and mental health, while at the same time delivering to their subject specific educational aspirations, in line with the Curriculum for Excellence.
Our days start with breakfast and some light exercise, ensuring young people feel ready for the school day. Our timetable then focusses on our core subjects of English, Maths, Science, PE/Outdoor Learning, Modern Studies, Geography, History, PSHE, Art & Digital and Music. Our electives programme runs in the afternoons, and focusses on specific areas of interest of our young people. This has previously included jewellery making, baking, and computing. If a young person has a specific area of interest we don’t currently cover within our curriculum, we will look at ways in which this can be explored and support them where possible. We support students to achieve qualifications in a broad range of subjects from national 3 to Advanced Highers.
Our classrooms were all renovated before the school opened in 2023, and provide a clean, modern environment which is conducive to learning. Our classrooms also feature adaptive lighting which supports those students who have sensory needs. Images of our classrooms can be seen below.
Teachers
Students are supported by a range of experienced and dedicated teachers who deliver our curriculum for excellence. Our Teaching team are as follows:
Kate Pepper – Science
Joe Storrie – English & History
Katharine Gude – Outdoor Learning & Pe
Harriet Hardy – Music
Andy Murray – Art & Digital
Pete Hamilton – Health & Wellbeing and Social Studies
Joan Cotsford – Geography
Sheila Bayne – Pupil Support Assistant
Art Classroom
Home Economics Classroom
Maths Classroom
Science Classroom
English Classroom
Music Classroom
Facilities
We have a range of facilities on site which are available to all students, including a gymnasium, kitchen, and quiet room. In addition, our residential students also have access to a common room where students can relax on sofas and beanbags, use the pool table, watch tv and relax.
The school is based 10 minutes’ walk from Perth city centre where there is a wealth of leisure pursuits including a swimming pool, large gym, and access to various water sports including kayaking and canoeing. Both day and residential students are encouraged to access the facilities in the local area.
School Gym
Quiet/Day Room
Residential/Common Room
Accommodation
Young people who have a residential place at the school are provided with an ensuite bedroom which will be decorated for their arrival at the school. As part of our independence programme, pupils are encouraged and supported to maintain the cleanliness of their bedrooms and bathrooms, do their own laundry and prepare food for themselves and others. Residential students have access to a kitchen and dining room shared with a maximum of 5 other young people, a laundry room and a common/living room.
Bedroom Accommodation
Ensuite Bathroom
Laundry Room
Kitchen
Dining Room
Residential Common Room
Extra-curricular Activities
Residential students take part in a wide variety of activities outside of the school day, focussing on areas of interest, hobbies, sport and relaxations. Current areas of interest include boxing, visiting local stables, Dungeons & Dragons, baking and so much more! We are always keen to support our students with their hobbies and areas of interest as this helps to build self-confidence, positive relationships and improves social communication – above all, our young people have fun!