Balerno High School

We are a fully comprehensive, non-denominational high school situated in the South West of Edinburgh. The school was built in 1983 and we currently have a school roll of just over 700 pupils in S1–S6. We deliver courses at every level up to Advanced Higher and take great pride in supporting all our learners to achieve their fullest potential.

Good communication is important to us as a school and the relationships we have with parents, carers and the wider community is vital to the success of Balerno. We value the support of all stakeholders and welcome the support of all of the community.

Our Educational Aims:

• To provide a rigorous and challenging education within a disciplined environment for all our pupils.
• To promote the values of inclusion and citizenshipTo sustain a caring ethos, responsive to individual needs and based on mutual respect.
• To help each pupil develop through a well-rounded education which includes cultural, creative and sporting activities.
• To promote education as an active partnership between providers and users and to continue to develop our partnership with the wider community.
• To encourage all staff to develop their professional abilities to the highest level.
• To create a school environment which is embracing and supportive to a positive self image.
• To promote the good name and reputation of Balerno High School for the benefit of everyone involved with the school.

The Support for Learning Department works with any pupil who requires additional support to allow them to access the secondary curriculum and be included in the life of the school. The department consists of dedicated Support for Learning teachers and several Pupil Support Assistants. A number of S6 pupils also work with the department to enhance the learning of younger pupils.

Additional needs can arise at any time in a pupil’s education. Liaison with pupils, their teachers, parents and outside agencies is an essential part of identifying needs and targeting support to enable a pupil to progress and experience success. Important information transfers when a pupil moves from primary to secondary school but needs can be identified later in their school career. Parents are welcome to contact the department at any time if they have a concern about their child’s learning.

upil Support at Balerno High School is designed to provide an integrated and planned approach to ensure that each pupil feels known and valued, has his or her needs met and is able to meet his or her full potential throughout their education and beyond.

The school support system is organised around into three houses: Bavelaw, Cockburn and Malleny. Each house is led by a Pupil Support Leader (PSL). Within each house, PSLs have a responsibility for the personal, curricular, vocational and social development of the pupil’s progress. PSLs closely monitor and track progress and attainment across the school and provide support strategies where required as well as providing pastoral support as needed. To ensure each pupil achieves their full potential, house staff liaise regularly with teachers, parents and, where necessary, appropriate agencies from the wider community.

All pupils and staff have the right to feel happy, safe and included. Our aim is to prevent bullying occurring in the first place and to have a framework set up for dealing with incidents if they do occur. Our shared values of mutual respect between staff and pupils, high expectations of success within a caring and supportive environment form the basis of our positive school ethos. Within our wider school community, we promote tolerance and understanding of one another and value diversity.

We are committed to advancing equality of opportunity for all and we work actively towards eliminating all forms of bullying and discrimination We recognise the effects that bullying and discrimination can have on pupils’ feelings of worth, on their school work and in the community. We actively foster good relations between diverse groups and individuals.