Kersland School - a night at the Oscars

This Renfrewshire Council school is based in Paisley and meets the needs of pupils aged 5 to 18 years with significant learning difficulties, through the delivery of an appropriate individualised curriculum.

The school takes pride in its very positive and supportive ethos which extends to staff, pupils and parents and encourages and expects high standards in all aspects of school life. There are links with mainstream schools at all stages and, where appropriate, secondary-aged pupils attend some mainstream classes at the local high school, St Andrew's Academy.

In the main building there are five classrooms, one conference room and a room with a wide range of soft play materials, providing a safe indoor area which is used to support the development of co-ordination and motor skills in a learning environment where young people can have fun.

The annex contains two classrooms and is linked to the main building by a covered walkway. Two additional modular classroom units have been erected in the playground and now accommodate pupils working towards National Qualifications and Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) Awards. There is an additional teaching area for music, drama and physiotherapy, and a swimming pool, complete with shower facilities, and a multi-sensory room for younger pupils.

During school session 2008-09, the school is organised into nine classes. Progress through the school is by age; however, children may be grouped within a class according to their particular needs or abilities. Staffing includes teachers, instructors and auxiliaries. There are also clerical staff, escorts, janitorial, cleaning and kitchen staff. This range of different types of staff necessitates a team approach to planning, especially where active or outdoor learning is involved.

Some of the older pupils have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, for example sports club, youth club and theatre outings. Pupils occasionally attend centres for respite services at Country View and River View for Renfrewshire pupils and Chavey Down in Mearnskirk for East Renfrewshire pupils. These respite centres are all part of the Quarriers organisation and access to this service is organised by the respective Social Work departments.