Welcome to Lochaber High School
The website contains a range of information about the school, and I hope this provides you with a worthwhile introduction to our ambitions for our young people and our community. At Lochaber High School it is important we value and respect each of our young people and that we recognise and further develop the skills, knowledge and qualities they bring from our respective primary schools.
As a learning community we wish to promote a culture of high ambition, and high achievement and attainment as well as mutual respect for all. I believe strongly in meeting the needs of all our young people, providing the highest standard of education, and actively encouraging success now and into the future. As you will see from our social media links we want our young people to have fun and enjoy their learning within and beyond the classroom and as such we encourage participation in a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. Do not hesitate to contact the school if you need more information.
Mr Scott Steele (Head Teacher)
As a learning community we wish to promote a culture of high ambition, and high achievement and attainment as well as mutual respect for all. I believe strongly in meeting the needs of all our young people, providing the highest standard of education, and actively encouraging success now and into the future. As you will see from our social media links we want our young people to have fun and enjoy their learning within and beyond the classroom and as such we encourage participation in a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. Do not hesitate to contact the school if you need more information.
Mr Scott Steele (Head Teacher)
Digital Learning Update 22/01/21
Learning at Home
Our digital learning strategies will be proportionate and balanced and will be informed by the most effective way of teaching the required knowledge and skills within each subject whilst recognising the constraints of digital learning. Despite our best efforts digital learning can never replace the dynamic process of classroom teaching, because such teaching requires the dynamic interaction which can only be found when people are learning in the same physical space. Nevertheless, we will endeavour to provide the best possible learning for all our young people. With this in mind this would be a good opportunity to recognise the dedication and commitment of teachers to their professional learning, particularly over the last year when they have spent a great deal of time learning the capabilities of Google and other digital platforms whilst undertaking all their other commitments.
Teachers will follow their subject curriculum as closely as possible whether pupils are learning in the Broad General Education or Senior Phase. It is important that pupils closely follow their curriculum and they are clear about what they are learning in each of their subjects. This will help any recovery strategies which are required on their return to school.
Teachers will follow the school’s Home Learning Schedule to issue work once per week at their subject’s designated times, and pupils are encouraged to progress through this work across the school week following their timetable. This will help provide structure and routine for pupils.
Teaching Strategies
Acknowledging teaching strategies will be informed by the most effective way of teaching particular subject-knowledge and skills, teachers will use a combination of:
Pupil Engagement
We appreciate family life can be complex and challenging especially through our current, difficult time. However, I have to say that all parents and carers have the responsibility to ensure their child/ren are engaged in all the learning opportunities made available to them, including our well-being checks, and it is our responsibility as professionals to create high quality learning for all.
As such we have a staged approach in managing pupil engagement. Class Teachers will set course work for pupils according to the Home Learning Schedule intimating clear instructions and deadlines. Additional Support Needs information and advice from our Support for Learning Department are available to staff to help guide class teachers in setting course work.
Intervention 1 - If a pupil fails to engage in course work the Class Teacher will email or attempt to contact the pupil to offer further support. If the pupil fails to engage satisfactorily the Class Teacher will use his/her professional judgment to raise a concern with the Principal Teacher.
Intervention 2 - The Principal Teacher will email or attempt to contact the pupil to find out what issues need to be resolved. The Principal Teacher and Class Teacher will liaise with each other to monitor the response of the pupil.
Intervention 3 – If the pupil fails to respond, the Class Teacher will enter details on a spreadsheet which will be shared with Guidance Teachers, Support for Learning staff and the Senior Management Team. At this stage, the relevant Guidance Teacher will attempt to make contact with the pupil and will discuss any issues which are stopping or limiting pupil engagement. Feedback will be shared with the Class Teacher, the relevant Support for Learning staff member as appropriate and the Year Head, who is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Intervention 4 - If the Guidance Teacher is not successful in making contact after attempting three phone calls, then the Year Head will make contact. This level of concern will be documented in a letter.
Support for Learning
Students within mainstream Support for Learning needs, who normally receive PSA support in school, have been allocated a link Pupil Support Assistant to support them with their work remotely. This is taking place via telephone/google meet/email. In addition, PSAs have been added to Google Classrooms as teachers/guardians. This allows the PSAs to view the work that has/has not been submitted, as well as receiving regular summaries from each subject. Student engagement and student submission of work within mainstream SFL has increased dramatically using this method of support.
Glencoe House pupils
Pupils in Glencoe House are following online curricular lessons and a suggested daily timetable created by their teachers and supported by PSA staff. Each pupil has been allocated a key person who will support their online learning and make weekly contact for a health and wellbeing check. If any parent has any concerns, please contact Glencoe House for advice.
Information for Pupils
You are asked to undertake the following:
Guidelines for Parents
Parents are asked to support their child/ren’s learning by undertaking the following:
Parents can contact the school if they have any queries about digital learning including any issues with access to technology.
Highland Documents
Remote Learning Guidance, Highland Council January 2021
Safeguarding Guidance for teachers, tutors and education professionals involved in Direct Remote Learning/Conferencing
School Policy on when a pupil must wear a face covering whilst in school. (Added 21.11.2020)
Letter from Nicky Grant Highland Council (Added 09.10.2020)
Information from Scottish Government regarding sending your child to school with a cold available here (Added 02.09.2020)
Advice regarding face coverings in school available here. (Added 27/8/20)
Learning at Home
Our digital learning strategies will be proportionate and balanced and will be informed by the most effective way of teaching the required knowledge and skills within each subject whilst recognising the constraints of digital learning. Despite our best efforts digital learning can never replace the dynamic process of classroom teaching, because such teaching requires the dynamic interaction which can only be found when people are learning in the same physical space. Nevertheless, we will endeavour to provide the best possible learning for all our young people. With this in mind this would be a good opportunity to recognise the dedication and commitment of teachers to their professional learning, particularly over the last year when they have spent a great deal of time learning the capabilities of Google and other digital platforms whilst undertaking all their other commitments.
Teachers will follow their subject curriculum as closely as possible whether pupils are learning in the Broad General Education or Senior Phase. It is important that pupils closely follow their curriculum and they are clear about what they are learning in each of their subjects. This will help any recovery strategies which are required on their return to school.
Teachers will follow the school’s Home Learning Schedule to issue work once per week at their subject’s designated times, and pupils are encouraged to progress through this work across the school week following their timetable. This will help provide structure and routine for pupils.
Teaching Strategies
Acknowledging teaching strategies will be informed by the most effective way of teaching particular subject-knowledge and skills, teachers will use a combination of:
- Presentations with support notes.
- Teacher pre-recorded video lessons through platforms such as Castify or Loom.
- Tasks, activities, question papers etc. supported by You Tube videos.
- Regular feedback to help progress learning.
- Limited live teaching (It must be recognised that the teaching process is a dynamic process and a live lesson for a full period would not be an effective use of time nor would it be effective in terms of pupil learning.)
- S1-S3 pupils will be invited to engage in a well-being check through the Health & Well-being faculty. It is important that all pupils attend this Google Meet.
- S1-S3 pupils can contact their teacher through e-mail as and when they require support or seek clarification on a point of learning. S1-S3 pupils can request a Google Meet with their teacher for additional support, to discuss points of learning, to ask questions etc. This will be arranged during class time.
- Senior pupils (S4-S6) can contact their teacher through e-mail as and when they require support or seek clarification on a point of learning. A Google Meet will be planned by the teacher for their double period, however if the double period is not suitable, then teachers will arrange a face to face opportunity during another of their subject periods. It is important that all pupils attend this Google Meet: it is an opportunity to engage in a well-being check as well as an opportunity for teachers to introduce new course work, and an opportunity for pupils to discuss points of learning, to ask questions, to assess progress etc.
- All contact between pupils and teachers must be made during the school day between 8.50am and 3.40pm.
Pupil Engagement
We appreciate family life can be complex and challenging especially through our current, difficult time. However, I have to say that all parents and carers have the responsibility to ensure their child/ren are engaged in all the learning opportunities made available to them, including our well-being checks, and it is our responsibility as professionals to create high quality learning for all.
As such we have a staged approach in managing pupil engagement. Class Teachers will set course work for pupils according to the Home Learning Schedule intimating clear instructions and deadlines. Additional Support Needs information and advice from our Support for Learning Department are available to staff to help guide class teachers in setting course work.
Intervention 1 - If a pupil fails to engage in course work the Class Teacher will email or attempt to contact the pupil to offer further support. If the pupil fails to engage satisfactorily the Class Teacher will use his/her professional judgment to raise a concern with the Principal Teacher.
Intervention 2 - The Principal Teacher will email or attempt to contact the pupil to find out what issues need to be resolved. The Principal Teacher and Class Teacher will liaise with each other to monitor the response of the pupil.
Intervention 3 – If the pupil fails to respond, the Class Teacher will enter details on a spreadsheet which will be shared with Guidance Teachers, Support for Learning staff and the Senior Management Team. At this stage, the relevant Guidance Teacher will attempt to make contact with the pupil and will discuss any issues which are stopping or limiting pupil engagement. Feedback will be shared with the Class Teacher, the relevant Support for Learning staff member as appropriate and the Year Head, who is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Intervention 4 - If the Guidance Teacher is not successful in making contact after attempting three phone calls, then the Year Head will make contact. This level of concern will be documented in a letter.
Support for Learning
Students within mainstream Support for Learning needs, who normally receive PSA support in school, have been allocated a link Pupil Support Assistant to support them with their work remotely. This is taking place via telephone/google meet/email. In addition, PSAs have been added to Google Classrooms as teachers/guardians. This allows the PSAs to view the work that has/has not been submitted, as well as receiving regular summaries from each subject. Student engagement and student submission of work within mainstream SFL has increased dramatically using this method of support.
Glencoe House pupils
Pupils in Glencoe House are following online curricular lessons and a suggested daily timetable created by their teachers and supported by PSA staff. Each pupil has been allocated a key person who will support their online learning and make weekly contact for a health and wellbeing check. If any parent has any concerns, please contact Glencoe House for advice.
Information for Pupils
You are asked to undertake the following:
- Look after your health and wellbeing. Having a daily routine of learning followed by play and physical exercise will help.
- Identify a comfortable and quiet space to learn.
- Register at 9am every day Monday to Friday.
- Dedicate appropriate time to learning as guided by your teachers.
- Follow your timetable as best you can.
- Regularly check Google Classroom for information about your classwork.
- Complete all the learning activities posted by your teachers and meet your deadlines. If you do not understand an aspect of your learning contact your teacher. They are happy to help.
- Attend all Google Meets to which you are invited, and do not mask your screen by using an icon.
- Maintain regular contact with your teachers.
- If you wish to speak with your Guidance Teacher make contact through the homepage on your Chromebook.
Guidelines for Parents
Parents are asked to support their child/ren’s learning by undertaking the following:
- Ensure your child/ren register each day through Google classroom by 9am.
- Provide a safe and quiet space to support learning.
- Encourage your child/ren to use their timetable to help organise and plan their learning.
- Review the summary of work which is e-mailed to you and engage your child/ren in conversations about their learning.
- Support and encourage your child/ren to engage in Google Meets organised by class teachers.
- Support and encourage your child/ren to engage in well-being checks conducted by Health & Well-being Teachers, Support for Learning staff or Guidance Teachers.
- Support health and wellbeing by providing appropriate time for physical activity, conversation and play.
Parents can contact the school if they have any queries about digital learning including any issues with access to technology.
Highland Documents
Remote Learning Guidance, Highland Council January 2021
Safeguarding Guidance for teachers, tutors and education professionals involved in Direct Remote Learning/Conferencing
School Policy on when a pupil must wear a face covering whilst in school. (Added 21.11.2020)
Letter from Nicky Grant Highland Council (Added 09.10.2020)
Information from Scottish Government regarding sending your child to school with a cold available here (Added 02.09.2020)
Advice regarding face coverings in school available here. (Added 27/8/20)
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Latest Update from Highland Council:
We are aware that positive cases of Covid-19 can cause some local anxiety in the community. Please be reassured that our Health Protection Team is working closely with colleagues within the Highland Council to continually monitor the situation in Highland. Guidance has been provided to teachers in all our schools regarding any incidence of Covid-19 or similar symptoms within the school community. Pupils and staff should not attend school if any symptoms develop. Please inform the school. The key message is don’t go to school or work if you are ill For most people, Covid-19 will be a mild illness. If you develop symptoms you should remain self-isolating at home for 10 days from the date when your symptoms appeared, even if this takes you over the 14 day period currently advised. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and further information on testing can be found on NHS Inform. In the event that you develop symptoms, all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. |
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19 Do
Please also follow the five rules that are highlighted in the national FACTS campaign -
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School CalendarAdverse Weather ArrangementsIf you are concerned about the possibility of the school being closed because of bad weather (or for any other reason) please telephone the Telephone Messaging Service. 0800 564 2272 and enter the PIN: 04 1150 You can also visit The Highland Council School Closure Web Site: www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures 
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Contact UsPlease use the contact form below for general enquiries.
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