Contents

Contents 2

Welcome 3

About us 4

Why Choose Castlebrae 5

Some facts about Castlebrae 6

Code of Conduct 7

School Session dates 8

The Curriculum 9-10

Support for Students 11

Library Resource Centre 12

Integrated Support for Students 13

Members of Staff 14-15

Community School 16

Adult Education 17

Castlebrae Parents’ Forum 18

Appendix — Achievement Statistics

2

Welcome

to

Castlebrae

Castlebrae is a welcoming place to learn

where everyone is encouraged and

inspired to be their best 3

About us

Castlebrae Community High School is a non-denominational six-year comprehensive secondary school

which serves the Craigmillar, Niddrie and Newcraighall communities. The roll in September 2010 is

257.

Most of our students are drawn from Castleview and Niddrie Mill Primary Schools. A number of

students (28% of the S1 intake in 2011) come from other primary schools.

In addition to our school students, 322 adult students enrolled in daytime and evening classes during

session 2010/2011. The Family Centre, which provides care and education for 0-5 year olds and their

parents, had 28 enrolments during the session.

The teaching complement for Session 2010/2011 is 31. Also 16 support staff contribute to the work

of the school. They provide essential specialist support: in the library; as technicians; classroom as-

sistants, learning assistants and; in the school office; the community team and the janitorial team.

Seven music instrumental instructors bring additional richness to the school’s curriculum.

4

Why Castlebrae should be the first choice for your child.

We Provide: ▪ A teaching and learning policy that focuses on attainment and achievement and a

hard working staff team committed to providing good quality teaching.

▪ Improved exam results year upon year - we prepare personal learning plans for all

our students to help them reach their potential by meeting their individual needs.

▪ A study support programme second to none - a study club for S1 and S2, study

residentials and 1:1 tutoring for S3 - S6.

▪ Target setting and mentoring for all students from 1st - 6th year with high quality

feedback to parents

▪ Excellent pastoral care and support to individual students including top quality

vocational and curricular guidance

▪ A broad personalised curruculum supporting transition into jobs, college or university

which is second to none.

▪ Vocational Education in Hair and Beauty, Childcare, Automobile, Construction,

Hospitality, Digital Media, Cosmetology and Drama

▪ Partnership programmes with colleges and universities including support into Higher

Education (LEAPS) and Further Education (Lothian Step Up Programme).

▪ Strong links with the business community and an extensive programme of enterprise

activities to help prepare students for the world of work.

▪ Emphasis on positive home-school links and an excellent transition programme from

primary to secondary to ensure the best possible start to Secondary School

▪ An excellent extra-curricular programme to suit all tastes—this includes after school

holiday programmes and regular Friday breakfast club

A 3rd generation floodlit all weather sports pitch

5

The Basketball Champions after

their success at the Edinburgh

Youth Games.

Some Facts about Castlebrae

Address: Castlebrae Community High School

2a Greendykes Road

Edinburgh

EH16 4DP

Telephone No: 0131 661 1282

Fax No: 0131 468 4501

Community Tel 0131 468 4502

Community Fax 0131 468 4503

School Roll: 2010 - 2011

First Year 38

Second Year 58

Third Year 49

Fourth Year 75

Fifth Year 32

Sixth Year 5

2010 - 2011

Adults 322

Family Centre 28

Our maximum teaching group size is 20 for all S1 and S2 lessons. From S3 upwards the maximum

class size is 20, but in most subjects we provide smaller classes in order to promote more effective

learning.

Castlebrae covers all stages of education from first year to sixth year. It has a Family Centre for

the under-fives and a full programme of classes for adult students.

The school presents students for National Qualifications at Standard Grade, Access, Intermediate,

Higher and Advanced Higher levels as well as some free standing National Qualification units.

Castlebrae is a non-denominational school and teaches in mixed gender groups. Girls and boys are

offered the same curriculum and are given equal opportunities.

Castlebrae is a community high school and seeks to meet the needs of the local community. For

example, we have a full programme of adult classes and operate a holiday programme for youngsters.

The school day currently consists of 7 periods of 50 minutes. The day commences with registration

at 8:30 and finishes at 3:35 Monday to Thursday and 12:15 on Friday.

6

Code of Conduct

Show Respect At All Times

1. Self Respect

▪ Take responsibility for your own actions

2. Respect for Others

▪ Listen to others ▪ Try to understand their point of view

▪ Value the differences in others

▪ Respond respectfully to requests

▪ Move quietly around the school

3. Respect for the Environment

▪ Take care of all school property

▪ Keep the school clean and tidy

7

School Session Dates 2010 - 2011

Term 1

Staff resume Monday 16 August* 2010

Staff only Tuesday 17 August* 2010

Pupils resume Wednesday 18 August 2010

Autumn Holiday Monday 20 September 2010

All resume Tuesday 21 September 2010

Mid-term - All break Friday 15 October 2010

Staff resume Monday 25 October * 2010

Pupils resume Tuesday 26 October 2010

Term ends Thursday 23 December 2010

Term 2

Staff resume Monday 10 January * 2011

Pupils resume Tuesday 11 January 2011

Mid-term - All break Friday 11 February 2011

All resume Monday 21 February 2011

Term ends Friday 8 April 2011

Term 3

Spring Holiday Monday 18 April 2011

Good Friday Friday 22 April 2011

Easter Monday Monday 25 April 2011

All resume Tuesday 26 April 2011

May Day Holiday Monday 2 May 2011

Victoria Day Monday 23 May 2011

Staff resume Tuesday 24 May* 2011

Staff only Wednesday 25 May* 2011

Pupils resume Thursday 26 May 2011

Term ends Friday 1 July 2011

* Six In-Service days for all schools.

P7 & S1 Transition Days—Tuesday 21 June, Wednesday 22 June and Thursday 23 June 2011

8

The Curriculum

Curriculum for Excellence Our new curriculum will be built around the four ‘Capacities’ of curriculum for excellence. We are

committed to giving each child the best possible chance to realise their full potential and become:

• successful learners

• confident individuals

• responsible citizens

• effective contributors

How will Curriculum for Excellence be organised? The learning journeys of children and young people will progress through six

Curricular Levels or Stages from the age of 3 to 18. Each of the levels or Stages generally spans

three years. However, children progress at different rates and some may need additional support,

while others will achieve confident learning skills sooner.

The Early Level covers the pre-school years and Primary 1.

The First Level runs until the end of Primary 4.

The Second Level runs until the end of Primary 7.

The Third and Fourth Levels cover from Secondary 1 to S3.

The Senior Phase runs from S4 to S6 in school and college, or other means of study, up until the age

of 18.

How will pupil progress be recognised? Assessment –the monitoring and tracking of pupils’ learning progress will be undertaken by

teachers throughout the Curriculum 3-18.

• From ages 3 to 15, this will be carried out within schools and centres

• From ages 15 to 18, assessment will continue but qualifications will be

externally assessed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, as currently

happens

9

How will learning look for senior pupils?

Qualifications in the Senior Phase (ages 15 to 18) of Curriculum for Excellence may

include both familiar and new qualifications. experiences will be delivered to pupils

through a range of learning, training and work– related opportunities.

Qualifications will be designed to reflect the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excel-

lence and to develop skills for learning, life and work. The

qualifications framework will include:

• The introduction of literacy and numeracy qualifications from S3 onwards

(under review)

• The replacement of Standard Grades by National 4 and National 5

qualifications (new)

• Access

• Highers

• Advanced Highers

Where can we find more information about Curriculum for

Excellence?

• The Parentzone section of Learning and Teaching Scotland’s website:

www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone/index.asp

• Information on the Experiences and Outcomes for Curricular Areas:

www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/

experiencesandoutcomes/index.asp

• Assessment and qualification information:

www.sqa.org.ul/sqa/2941.html and

www.scqf.org.uk/AbouttheFramework/Levels.aspx

Features of Castlebrae’s curriculum:

• Your child will be taught in classes with a maximum of 20 students.

• A range of enterprise activities will be provided to prepare your child for the world of work

and further/higher education.

• In essence Castlebrae offers one of the widest ranges of courses, designed to meet the needs

of local children and best prepare them for adult life.

• Additional support is provided for those students hoping to go to university, through the

LEAPS programme. • Throughout your child’s stay at Castlebrae you will be regularly informed of his/her progress

through reports, parents’ evenings etc. You are also most welcome to contact the school at any

time to raise any matters of concern.

10

Support for Students Your child will be allocated to a group tutor on arrival at Castlebrae and the group tu-

tor will support them throughout their time at secondary school. Their tutor group will

be attached to one of three houses - Blackford, Pentland and Calton of which each has

a dedicated guidance teacher with the responsibility of attending to pastoral needs.

The three house heads are:

¨ Sylvia Hansen Blackford

¨ Geraldine Kelly Calton

¨ John Kiernan Pentland

The Support for Students service comprises three departments which work together to provide a

holistic support system to all students in the school.

Support for Students - Guidance

The three house heads are Principal Teachers of Guidance. They manage, monitor and deliver

pastoral care to all students in the school. They have an overview of the progress and needs of each

individual student in their house and are also responsible for delivering the Personal and Social

Education Programme (PSE). The House Head/Guidance Teacher is the first point of contact for

parents who have concerns about their child’s progress in the school.

Support for Students - Behaviour

Behaviour support is managed by a Principal Teacher . Who can provide advice to teachers on strate-

gies for supporting young people experiencing difficulties with their behaviour. The behaviour support

teacher works with small groups of students, with individuals and, where possible, alongside subject

leaders in classes to improve behaviour. The behaviour support service aims to provide a supported

pathway to success to enable all students to participate in mainstream education, but recognises that

for a very small number of students this may not be possible.

Support for Learning

The Support for Learning Team is managed by a Principal Teacher and includes a class teacher and

six learning assistants. A range of learning programmes is provided for individuals and groups of stu-

dents to ensure that they can achieve their potential. Some students will have an Additional Sup-

port Plan, others will have an Individual Education Plan if they require greater levels of support. Oc-

casionally, a student will have a Coordinated Support Plan which includes input from other agencies,

such as Speech and Language therapy.

11

The Library Resource Centre

The Library Resource Centre provides resources and facilities to support the cur-

riculum. The stock of approximately 5000 books includes a range of information

books and a wide variety of contemporary fiction for all ages.

Facilities provided in the LRC include the use of computer and audio visual resources and quiet

study areas.

All students have a weekly timetabled period in the LRC from the English department. During

this period personal reading for pleasure is promoted and instruction in information skills is

given. Additionally classes are timetabled to the LRC from many subjects throughout the ses-

sion. Individual students and small groups are able to use the IT and other facilities throughout

the day.

The LRC is available for students at

break time and after school to use com-

puters, games and space to relax with

friends or do homework.

There are currently two Book Groups

running at lunch time for S2 and S3 stu-

dents. These sessions include fun

games and serious reading. Students

read for the national Book Awards and

have a chance to meet authors and take

part in reviewing for Teen Titles (the

City of Edinburgh review magazine).

12

Transitions and the Integrated Support for Students Service

Starting Secondary School

The Support for Students Team, led by the Depute Head with responsibility for support

for students, recognises that this is a very important step for students and their parents.

The following processes are in place to help make this transition a happy one.

Castlebrae staff visit primary schools to work with students in primary 7, for example in

Modern Languages and Art and Design.

Prior to transition Support for Students staff visit primary 7 teachers to gather in-

formation which will help support students who are moving up to Castlebrae. Infor-

mation on the learning, social/emotional and behavioural needs of each student is

shared with all teaching and support staff.

▪ Primary 7 students take part in a transition session aimed at addressing hopes and

expectations and familiarising them with key staff. They spend three days in Castle-

brae in June following a standard timetable which allows them to get used to the new

routines of high school.

▪ Every primary 7 parent is invited to sign the joint Home/School Partnership Agree

ment with a member of the Senior Management Team or a House Head.

A holiday programme is in place in July to introduce students to some of the extra

curricular activities at Castlebrae and to support those students who may be espe

cially anxious 13

Members of Staff

Senior Management Team

Graeme Thompson Head Teacher Pauline Sharp Depute Head Teacher - Curriculum Support

Doreen Rodgers Depute Head Teacher - Student Support

Christine Scott Community Programme Manager

Pat Smith Business Manager

Guidance Team

Sylvia Hansen House Head Blackford

Geraldine Kelly House Head Calton

John Kiernan House Head Pentland

Support for Behaviour

Stewart Lowe PT Support for Behaviour

Support for Learning Team

Marja Doak PT Support for Learning Elizabeth Callender Learning Assistant

Madeleine Docker Support for Learning Mary Kidd Learning Assistant

Ann MacDonald Learning Assistant

Sharon Street Learning Assistant

Jacqui Lamont Learning Assistant

Elaine Laidlaw Learning Assistant

Business and Computing Faculty

David Gabellone PT Business Administration

Tom Hendry Computing

Social Studies Faculty

Neil McLean PT Social Subjects / History

Debbie Allan RME

Creative and Aesthetic Faculty

Tracy Graham PT Creative and Aesthetic Studies

Ann Archer Art and Design

Stephen McLaren Music

Roddy McPherson Physical Education

Kelly Salter Physical Education 7 instrumental music instructors

Language and Media Studies Faculty

Fiona Donnelly PT English & Modern Languages

Mariann Cortes English

Gerry Urquhart English

Annabelle Bossard Modern Languages Vacancy

14

Mathematical and Scientific Studies Faculty

Alan Murphy Faculty Head / Mathematics

Marian O’Donnell Mathematics

John Byrne Science / Physics

Monique Olde-Olthof Science / Biology

Helen Westfield Laboratory Technician

Technological Studies Faculty

Neil Campbell PT Craft, Design and Technology

Stewart Allen Craft, Design and Technology

George Thomson Workshop Technician

Sheila Badenoch PT Home Economics

Linda Bradley Home Economics

Helen Porter Home Economics Auxiliary

School Admin Team

Liz Breeze Bursar

Eileen Ferguson SQA Admin / Admin Assistant

Margaret Hogarth Admin Assistant

Jennifer Hughes Welfare Assistant

School Librarian

Sylvia Gorman

Community Education Team

Alan Reid Active Schools Coordinator

Donna Hollands Senior Clerical Assistant

Sandra Donaldson Clerical Assistant

Family Centre

Katie Inglis Senior Nursery Officer

Service Support Officer Team

Jimmy Simpson Senior Service Support Officer

Ivan Paterson Service Support Officer

Dominic Siez Service Support Officer

15

16

Community School Activities

Partnership working with Edinburgh Leisure, Department of Culture and Sports, Craigmillar Sports

Forum and Local Sports Clubs, SFA, SRU, NUS, PARC, HOT Team and the Craigmillar Chronicle. Optimise use of Sports Leaders within local community, working closely with primary school Active

Enable Sports Leaders to gain alternative sports coach qualifications. Create pathways for sports participants and coaches to continue their chosen sports once they

leave school. Achieved Healthy Promoting Schools Accreditation. Chosen to represent Edinburgh in Dreams and Teams South African Partnership

Adult Education

Castlebrae offers a wide range of vocational and non-vocational classes and staff are committed to

offering a supportive and positive learning experience whilst providing adult education classes that

offer learning opportunities in a relaxed and friendly environment. We run a varied programme for

adults, our current classes include; French, Computing, Spanish, Art, Cookery, Hairdressing, Wood-

work, Instrument Making, Childcare

Certificated Nutritional Courses ‘

• Are you interested in learning about food and health?

• Do you want to find out about a healthy diet?

• Do you want to learn how your eating habits affect your health?

• Would you like to gain new skills and knowledge in a welcoming environment?

Come along to learn about a range of issues and subjects relating to Food and Health, including food

groups and their functions, overcoming barriers to healthy eating, dietary habits, eating for well-

being and more.

Fitness Suite

Before using the fitness suite you must attend an induction

class please call 0131 661 4049 to arrange an appointment

After attending an induction FREE opportunities available include

• Individual Fitness Programmes.

• One-to-one training sessions and taster sessions of circuit training.

• Advice on diet, nutrition and exercise

Childcare Provision

The Family Centre is a childcare provision based in the school, for children aged (0-3yrs). It’s a

place where children can play, where parents can meet other parents, share skills, problems, ideas

and have fun.

17

Community Facilities

The school Community Office can assist community groups and sporting organisations to hire areas of

the school. The areas available are:

Meeting Rooms Gymnasium Adult Student Common Room

Games Hall Fitness Suite Drama Studio

Football Pitches 3G All Weather Pitch

There is a common Room available for all adult students, where you can study, have your lunch or en-

joy a coffee and a chat. There is also a cafeteria for filled rolls, hot meals and snacks at reasonable

prices.

The opening times are as follows: 10:05am – 10:30am and 12:15pm – 13:15pm

For information regarding adult course fees and letting fees please contact the Community office on

0131 661 4049

Castlebrae Parents’ Forum - ‘The Castlebrae Association’

The Castlebrae Community High School Parents’ Forum meets monthly throughout the school session.

Parent’s are always welcome to contact members of the Parents’ Forum if they wish to raise an issue

or would like to know more about the way the school works.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding the school, you can contact the Chairperson of the

Parents’ Forum through the school.

The membership of the Parents’ Forum 2010/2011 is;

Kevin Finlay Chair

David Fulton Vice Chair

Graeme Thompson Head Teacher

Carol Clydesdale Secretary

Cllr Maureen Child

Cllr Mike Bridgeman

A teachers rep is also co-opted depending on the agenda.

The Business Manager provides financial updates and is co-opted to discuss budgets as relevant

18

2a Greendykes Road

Edinburgh

EH16 4DP

Tel: 0131 661 1282

Fax: 0131 468 4501

Email: admin@castlebrae.edin.sch.uk