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Stewarton Academy Cairnduff Place

Stewarton KA3 5QF

Telephone No: 01560 482342

Email: Stewarton.Academy@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

School Blog: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/stewartonacademysite2016/

Twitter: @stewarton_Acad

School App:

Denominational

Status (if any):

Co-educational, non-denominational, six-year comprehensive secondary

establishment.

School Roll: 773 (age 12-18)

Further

information: www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/schoolhandbooks

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Dear Parent/Carer,

As the newly-appointed Head Teacher of Stewarton Academy, I am delighted to introduce the school

handbook for session 2019/2020. It contains a wide range of information about the school, which I

hope you will find useful and interesting.

It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of a school that values high academic standards

alongside the wellbeing of its young people, staff and wider community. I look forward to working

collaboratively with the school community to ensure that all of our young people achieve their full

potential and experience a curriculum rich in opportunity, pace and challenge from the Broad General

Education through to the senior phase.

Within the handbook, you will find statistical tables detailing pupil examination performance that

reflects our teaching and non-teaching staff’s commitment to embedding the needs and aspirations of

our young people at the heart of planning and day-to-day practice. This is complemented by a

commitment to ensuring positive, supportive relationships between staff, pupils and the wider school

community that are built through nurture, care and high expectations. In preparation for taking up my

new post, I had the pleasure of being invited to join in celebrations at the end of the 2018/19 academic

session of the vast array of wider achievements of pupils across the school throughout the year. In

addition to pursuing academic excellence, Stewarton Academy pupils will be fully encouraged to

participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities encompassing, amongst others, Duke of

Edinburgh, sports, expressive arts, music, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

These opportunities are central to the holistic development of our learners and in continuing to build

on a strong culture of aspiration and achievement for every pupil.

I look forward to working in collaboration with you, the parents/carers of our young people, to ensure

their continued success. We will work together to continue shaping and delivering a shared vision of

excellence for Stewarton Academy, and to ensure that the school is valued as a hub and source of

pride at the heart of its community. I trust that this handbook will provide you with a real sense of our

school and give you all of the information you require. I look forward to meeting and speaking to you in

person in the near future but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries or

questions in the meantime.

Ryan Miller

Head Teacher

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School context

Head Teacher: Ryan Miller

Catchment Area: Stewarton, Kilmaurs & Dunlop

Stewarton Academy is a non-denominational school which serves a rural area of East Ayrshire. It has 4 associated primary schools – Dunlop Primary, Kilmaurs Primary, Nether Robertland Primary and Lainshaw Primary School. The school has a roll of 773 with 7% of our pupils coming from deciles 1/2 (most deprived areas), 24% from deciles 3/4, 13% from deciles 5/6, 35% from deciles 7/8 and 20% from deciles 9/10 (least deprived areas) and 1% non-defined. We have 62 teachers and 7 classroom assistants delivering the curriculum and supporting our young people. The schools national exam performance is above the national average and many measurements are above our virtual comparator. The school is working towards closing the attainment gap and improving outcomes for all learners (lowest, middle and highest 20%, 60% & 20% respectively).

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Stewarton Academy

‘Working together creating opportunities for achievement and success’

We strive to ensure our pupils feel valued and respected at all times. Young people are

encouraged to achieve their full potential whilst taking responsibility for their own learning

now and throughout their lives.

Opportunities are available for staff, pupils, parents and the wider community to work

together to achieve this aim whilst making a positive contribution to society and building a

better future together

School Values

Determination Don't settle for less than your best and show the determination to be all you can be. Have the

strength and self-discipline to overcome obstacles.

Fairness We treat people with fairness and welcome ideas different to our own. Everyone has the opportunity

to achieve regardless of their starting point on the learning journey.

Respect Respect for self, respect for others, respect for school environment, respect for our community.

Responsibility Take responsibility for your learning. Make good choices for yourself and others, think about what is

right and wrong.

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We will strive

to develop the four capacities for pupil/young

person set out in a curriculum for excellence

→ successful learners

confident individuals

effective contributors

responsible citizens

through the eight indicators of well being

→

Safe

Healthy

Achieving

Nurtured

Active

Respected

Responsible

Included

by demonstrating the ten dimensions of

excellence

→

high quality learning activities

focus on outcomes

common vision pupil/young person,

staff and parents

values and empowers staff and

young people

develops culture of ambition and

excellence

promotes well-being and respect

reflects on own work – thrives on

challenge

partnership with agencies and

communities

working with parents

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high quality leadership

We all agree that there is an unacceptable gap in attainment and achievement between children from

our most and least advantaged backgrounds and that gap is wider than in some comparable

European countries. The average tariff scores on leaving school of young people from areas of most

disadvantage is still less than half that of those from areas of least disadvantage. This is not a new

issue for Scotland, it has been with us for decades. At Stewarton Academy we are committed to

ensuring that young people get an equal chance at education. We will support our children and young

people to fulfil their full potential. Education is about where you are going, not where you are from. At

Stewarton Academy we recognise that, as educational attainment increases, pupils much more likely

to be employed, earnings are likely to be higher and pupils less likely to live in poverty. We are

committed to working towards the ‘Children & Young Persons collaborative’ Stretch Aims -

S1 – S3

By 2020, at least 85% of children, within each SIMD quintile will have successfully achieved CfE Third

level literacy, numeracy and are progressing in health and wellbeing as evidenced by SHANARRI

indicators by the end of secondary 3

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THE SCHOOL DAY

(Please note that the school day details may change)

Current Roll (as at May 2019)

S1 162 S2 131 S3 130

S4 131 S5 108 S6 77

Total 739

MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY

Period 1 8:45 – 9:35 Period 1 8:45 – 9:35

Period 2 9:35 – 10:25 Period 2 9:35 – 10:25

BREAK 10:25 – 10:40 BREAK 10:25 – 10:40

Period 3 10:40 – 11:30 Period 3 10:40 – 11:30

Period 4 11:30 – 12:20 Period 4 11:30 – 12:20

Period 5 12:20 – 1:10 Period 5 12:20 – 1:10

LUNCH 1:10 – 1:55 LUNCH 1:10 – 1:55

Period 6 1:55 – 2:45 Period 6 1:55 – 2:45

Period 7 2:45 – 3:35

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ASSOCIATED PRIMARY ESTABLISHMENTS

Lainshaw Primary School

Kilwinning Road

STEWARTON

Ayrshire

KA3 5AS

Telephone: 01560 483653

Headteacher: Mr. J. Johnstone

Kilmaurs Primary School

Sunnyside

KILMAURS

Ayrshire

KA3 2RY

Telephone:01563 538388

Headteacher: Ms. R. Lindsay

Nether Robertland Primary School

Pokelly Place

STEWARTON

Ayrshire

KA3 5PF

Telephone:01560 482035

Headteacher: Mrs. S. Wilson

Dunlop Primary School

Main Street

DUNLOP

Ayrshire

KA3 4AN

Telephone:01560 484098

Headteacher: Mrs. P. Wilson

Education Group Stewarton Education Group work together to improve outcomes for young people. We have an Education Group Improvement Plan.

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ACCOMMODATION

A map is provided. There is a lift available for those who cannot access the stairs.

Facilities for community use: to let any part of our accommodation during the evening or at weekends,

please contact:

East Ayrshire Leisure Community & Recreation, Letting, Western Road, Kilmarnock KA3 1LL

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The following security measures have been adopted in Stewarton Academy to help ensure the safety

and well-being of our pupils and staff.

All pupils wear school uniform. This helps us to identify strangers quickly.

All staff should wear an identity badge.

The school has a security access door and all visitors should access the school through this.

All visitors should report to the school office and sign in. They will be issued with an identity

badge. Anyone in the building not wearing an identity badge should be challenged politely.

Security cameras have been installed in and around the school building.

The cafeteria and allocated areas around the school is available to pupils during severe

weather conditions.

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HEAD TEACHER - Mr. Ryan Miller

The Head Teacher, Mr. Miller, is responsible to the Depute Chief Executive and Chief Financial

Officer for the overall management of the school.

Depute Head Teachers - S1/S2 Mrs. Y. Ward

- S3/S4 Mr. F. Hardie

- S5/S6 Mr. G. Johnston

The Depute Head Teachers have particular responsibilities for certain year groups, overseeing the

educational experience of their pupils, including the curriculum, guidance and discipline.

Mrs. Ward is responsible for S1/S2, Mr. Hardie for S3/ S4 and Mr. Johnston for S5/S6 and adult

students. The Depute Head Teachers, together with Pupil Support Staff, play a vital role in the

partnership between home and school, and will welcome contact from parents on all matters of

concern.

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List of faculties/departments and Staff

Design (Art, Technical & Home

Economics)

Modern Languages

Mr. P. McGurn (Technical)

Faculty Head Mrs. E. Verneau-Conlan

Principal Teacher

Ms. S. Cooper (Technical)

PT Curriculum Ms. J. McCrone

Mr. S. Dunlop (Technical)

PT Inclusion Mrs. A. Morton (0.5)

Mr. M. Reilly (Technical)

Mrs. S. Richardson PT Pupil Support (0.6)

Ms R. Beattie (Art & Design)

Mr. J. Scott

Mrs. S. Hitchman (Art & Design)

Mrs. I. Cartwright (Art & Design)

Ms. L. Findlay (Home Economics)

Mr. I. MacDonald

Technician

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List of faculties/departments and Staff

English & Drama

Music

Mrs. C. Gillespie

Principal Teacher

Mr. G. McGuire Principal Teacher (0.8)

Ms. H. Biddiscombe

Mrs. L. Watson Principal Teacher (0.2), teacher (0.6)

Mr. M. Fitzsimmons

Mr. K. Gordon

Ms. P. Jannaway

Mrs. H. Mallan (0.4)

Mr. R. Miller Head Teacher

Physical Education

Mr. I. Reid

Mr. M. Renny Principal Teacher

Mr. R. Stratton

Mr. E. Alexander

Mr. C. Young

Mrs. C. Cardosi

Mrs. E. Munro 0.6

Ms. E. Vallance

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support

Mr. G. Vernon

NQT

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List of faculties/departments and Staff

Maths, Computing & Business

Science & the Environment

Mr. I. Pettigrew (Maths & Computing)

Faculty Head Mr. L. Hendren (Chemistry & Biology)

Faculty Head

Mrs. Caddis (Maths)

Ms. M. Taylor (Chemistry)

Principal Teacher of STEM and World of Work

Mrs. B. Hudson (Maths)

Mr. G. Smallwood (Chemistry)

Mr. A. McLean (Maths)

Mrs. S. Beattie (Biology)

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support

Mrs. A. Mohsin (Maths)

Mr. McCormack (Biology)

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support

Ms. T. Seery (Maths)

Mrs. A. Smith (Biology)

(0.6)

Mrs. M. Smillie (Maths)

Mrs. A. Barbour (Physics)

Principal Teacher of Pupil Support

Mr. N. Watt (Maths)

Mrs. C. Sneddon (Physics)

(0.8)

Mrs. C. Chester (Business)

(0.5) Mr. A. Wilson (Physics)

Mr. D. MacLean (Computing Science & Business)

Mrs. J. Strachan Senior Science Technician

Mr. F. Hardie (Computing Science)

Depute Head Teacher

Mr. R. Ross (Computing Science)

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List of faculties/departments and Staff

Social Studies & RMPS

Library & Resource Centre

Mrs. P. White (Geography)

Faculty Head

Dr. J. Redgate

Librarian

Mrs. L. Robertson (Geography)

(0.6)

Office

Ms. B. MacBain (History)

Principal Teacher Pupil Support (0.4)

Mrs. M. Andrews AFO

Mr. J. Kyle (History)

Mrs. M. Madigan

Ms. R. Hogg (Modern Studies)

Mrs. L. Tait

Miss G. Dunsmuir (RE)

Mrs. E. Wigfull

Mrs. V. Wilson (RE)

Mrs. C. Whitehill

Mrs. L. Wilson

Pupil Support (Pastoral)

Technicians

Mrs. A. Barbour Boyd

Mrs. J. Strachan Science

Mrs. S. Richardson & Ms. B. MacBain

Cunningham Mr. D. Mauchlen ICT

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List of faculties/departments and Staff

Mrs. S. Beattie

Montgomery Mr. I. MacDonald Technical

Mrs. E. Vallance

Stewart

Pupil Support (Support for Learning)

Day Cleaner

Mr. J. McDowall

Principal Teacher

Mrs. M. Myles

Ms. M. Murphy

Campus Police

Officer

Classroom

Assistants

PC F. Lynch

Mrs. M. Devlin

Home Link Worker

Mrs. C. Findlay

Mr. D. McIntyre

Ms. M. Kirkby

Mrs. M. McGhee

Mrs. S. Smith

Mrs. W. McWilliam

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The National Improvement Framework

In 2017 the Scottish Government published the National Improvement Framework and Improvement

Plan for Scottish Education to help us deliver the twin aims of excellence and equity in education. In

practise for us this means developing a broad range of skills and capacities, whilst supporting our

pupils to thrive, regardless of their social circumstances or additional needs.

Excellence through raising attainment: ensuring that every child achieves the highest standards set

out within Curriculum for Excellence levels, and the right range of skills, qualifications and

achievements to allow them to succeed.

Achieving equity: ensuring every child has the same opportunity to succeed, with a particular focus on

closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

National Improvement Framework – Key Priorities

Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy

Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children

Improvement in children’s health and wellbeing

Improvement in employability skills and sustained positive school leaver destinations

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Active Reading

Stewarton Academy has a very clear approach to improving Literacy. Active Literacy is promoted

across the school and Education Group. As part of our focus on Literacy, pupils are encouraged to

read for at least 30 minutes per day supported by the active Reading strategies taught in class.

Stewarton Academy is embracing the work of John Hattie via a 3 year Osiris Education Programme.

We are actively promoting strategies such as Thinking Routines and Number Talks. High quality

learning and teaching is a key focus of our improvement plan.

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1. Staff Cover

Staff should inform HT; at the earliest opportunity should they require release. (SQA markers’ meeting; hospital Appointments etc.) For emergency absence, staff should inform the school office by 8.20am on the first day of absence and indicate their likely return date. If the return date alters, the alternative date should be notified to DHT. (Sickness Absence Management Policy – Employee guidance – East Ayrshire Council) On first day of sickness absence, you must notify the educational establishment/school etc. as soon as practicable. If you are unable to do this due to illness, some other person may act on your behalf. You/they should, if possible, indicate the date of your return to work. Where the relevant Manager is not available then you should leave a contact number to enable the Manager to contact you later that day, whenever practicable or as soon as possible thereafter. Emails or texts messages are not accepted as an appropriate method of communication other than you will be advised of the appropriate managerial contacts for you to telephone on your first day of absence. When you contact your Manager, you should provide the following information:-

The nature of y our illness, or other reason for absence;

How long you expect to be ill/absent;

An estimated date of return;

Your intentions e.g. going to doctor, hospital etc.;

Where appropriate, advise of any work appointments that have been made, attendance expected at meetings, training courses, important work etc. so that alternative arrangements can be made in your absence;

Your telephone number or personal contact point (this is needed in case your Manager needs to contact you).

If you do not return to work by the third calendar day, then on the fourth calendar day of absence you are required to contact your Manager and should intimate a likely return date. For an absence of seven calendar days or less, you must submit a self-certificate form and submit it to your Manager on the day you return to work unless a Medical Practitioner has issued a Statement of fitness for Work from day one that covers the absence. For an absence continuing for more than seven calendar days, in addition to completing a self-certificate, which will have been previously sent to your home address, you must consult a Medical Practitioner and obtain a Fit Note. These documents must be forwarded immediately by you. If the absence is likely to continue beyond the date shown on the fit Note you should consult your Medical Practitioner again and submit additional medical certificates timeously to cover the absence.

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You must keep your Manager informed of your progress with an indication, if possible of a return to work date. You are responsible for ensuring that Statements of Fitness for Work are submitted timeously to ensure continued certification of your sickness absence and that all periods of sickness absence in excess of 7 calendar days are covered.

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USING SOCIAL MEDIA Many of us now use social networking and file sharing sites like Face book, Twitter and YouTube. They’re great for staying in touch and creating communities and for most people, joining in is trouble free and fun. But it can be easy to blur the lines between your personal voice and your professional life as a registered social service worker. First of all, exactly what is “social media”? It’s really just a set of online tools for us to use to communicate and engage with people and includes things like:

writing a blog or commenting on people’s blogs

micro-blogging e.g. Twitter

a personal profile page on one of the social or business networking sites e.g. Linkedin, Facebook

product or service reviews on retailer sites, or customer review sites

taking part in online votes and polls

taking part in conversations on public and private web forums (message boards). And while there are lots of benefits from taking part in social networking there are things that it’s important to look out for and think about in your role as a professional social service worker. Remember that as a registered worker you must work to the SSSC Code of Practice for Social Service Workers e.g. Code 5 says that you must “uphold public trust and confidence in social services whether you are in work or outside of work”. Both personally and professionally, you need to follow the same standards in online activities as you would in any aspect of your life. The same professional expectations and guidelines for interacting with people apply online as in the real world.

To friend or not to friend?

“Friending” or allowing a person who uses services or their carer to be your online friend or follower is not acceptable for a registered social service worker as it creates a personal relationship outside of your workplace. And it leaves both workers and people who use services open to allegations from comments they might post.

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No comment! Be responsible for the way you behave and for what you post and use common sense and judgement. As a social service worker you should always be respectful of the privacy and feelings of others. You should not use it for attack or abuse, to make malicious comments, to air concerns about issues at work or provide privileged and confidential details about work or individuals as this could be a breach of the SSSC Code of Practice. How you behave online can have an impact on you professionally as well as personally. Anything that is posted online could leave you open to scrutiny from the public and people who use services and this could be viewed as misconduct.

Is private really that private?

Be aware that anyone can search for information about you online, just as they do for any service or product or to find out who was number 1 in the charts in 1999. Privacy doesn’t exist in the world of social media even though all social networking sites have “privacy settings”. No matter how private we think we are, once you’ve put something out there, it’s out there. That said; make the most of the privacy settings. Keep an eye out for updates from the host site as they continually change the settings which then get applied to everyone and you then have to choose to opt out. The internet is not anonymous, nor does it forget. Everything written on the internet can be traced back to its author very easily and there is a permanent record. Search engines are extremely sophisticated. Information is backed up often and posts in one forum can be replicated in others through reposts and references. Try Googling yourself to see how well protected your personal online presence really is!

Top Tips

1. Check your personal security settings. To keep your accounts private choose settings that mean only the people on your “friends”, followers or contacts lists can see your information, photos, videos and posts. And check that location tracking services are turned off unless you need it turned on. 2. Don’t allow people who use services and their carers to be your online friends as it creates a personal relationship and it can leave you open to allegations regarding comments they may make online. 3. Avoid putting personal information up on your page e.g. where you work, your phone number etc. 4. Be responsible about what you post. 5. Find out about your “web shadow” – search for yourself online and see what comes up. You’ll be surprised how much could be online even if you’re not in the public eye.

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GIRFEC The Getting it right for every child approach

The Getting it right for every child approach is about how practitioners across all services for children and adults meet the needs of children and young people, working together where necessary to ensure they reach their full potential. It promotes a shared approach and accountability that:

builds solutions with and around children, young people and families

enables children and young people to get the help they need when they need it

supports a positive shift in culture, systems and practice

involves working better together to improve life chances for children, young people and families

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CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES – STANDARD CIRCULAR 57

The protection of young people is the responsibility of everyone. Staff must immediately report an allegation or suspicion of child abuse to the Head of Establishment or Service Line Manager if there are grounds for concern about the possibility of abuse. Any concerns about a child’s welfare should be reported to the Head or line manger immediately. If he/she is not available the person deputising must be contacted. Definitions of abuse:

Physical abuse

Sexual abuse

Emotional abuse

Neglect What to do if a child tells you something has happened Do

Stay calm

Listen to the child

Keep any questions to a minimum

Reassure the child they were right to tell

Tell the child what you’re going to do next

Write down in the child’s own words what has been said and note the date and time

Act promptly and immediately report to your line manager or designated child protection officer Don’t

Ask too many questions

Make any false promises or promise not to tell anyone

Express shock or anger at what is being said to you

Interpret what the child is saying to you – just record and report

Delay listening to the child or passing on your concerns

Carry out an ‘investigation’ into the allegation