Assessing progress and needs

An example of good practice from Kersland School, and the Special Department Development Plan from Bell's Brae School.

Planning a language programme to meet the needs of individual pupils

Following a review of existing practice and a systematic assessment of pupils’ needs and progress, staff at Kersland School developed their own reading scheme, which allowed them to plan a language programme that would meet the individual needs of their pupils. This approach helped to ensure that opportunities for the development of reading were accessible to all pupils. A user guide to the new reading scheme was developed for teachers. The guide also helped parents and visitors to the school to understand what the scheme was designed to do and how it fitted with the school’s programme for language and communication.