Castlebrae Community High School

Castlebrae is a High School at the heart of our community and we provide a fully comprehensive education to all of our young people. We have a diverse student population and we welcome and celebrate the values and culture all our young people bring to our community. We use it to promote our school and the many varied opportunities available to young people who come to our school.

It is our aim to deliver a wide-ranging educational experience of the highest quality for all of our students from the beginning of S1 right through to the end of S6. At the same time, we support all of our young people by providing a caring environment based on mutual respect.

With the future of Castlebrae High School now secure, and a new school having been identified as a priority, we are looking towards an exciting few years ahead. As we move forward we have made extensive improvements in the curriculum, attainment and attendance, as detailed in the most recent Education Scotland report (extracts from which appear throughout this publication).

We have a team of committed and creative staff, who have enthusiastically embraced the vision for raising attainment and achievement for our young people. We continue to develop a 1:1 technology strategy, having provided all of our young people with their own tablet device. We are sure that your child will have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience at Castlebrae Community High School and we look forward to supporting all of our young people in the drive to improve their outcomes for learning and life.

The use of technology plays an ever increasing role in our daily lives and we believe it is important to provide all young people with suitable technology to support their learning. Castlebrae Community High School was the first school in Edinburgh (and one of the first in Scotland) to issue every student with their own iPad.

By embedding technology into our curriculum in this way, we are aiming to enhance learning and teaching through:

• Increased student engagement,
• Improved workflow and communication between learners and teachers, and learners and learners
• More reflective learners,
• Greater independent learning skills,
• On-demand access to the internet and other digital resources,
• Students gaining the technical skills required for the world of work.

On average, over the last three years, 95% of our students, on leaving school, moved into positive destinations. The school has a large Library Resource Centre with 5000 books, computers and quiet study areas

Our sporting facilities include 2 large games halls, a fitness suite, outdoor pitches and a 3G all-weather pitch. Each student meets with their Key Adult at regular points throughout the year to discuss progress. Each pupil is allocated a Pupil Support Leader when they arrive in S1.

The school students are placed in one of two houses, Blackford or Pentland. Our Support for Learning department, which includes a Nurture Room, work in close partnership with all teaching staff to ensure that we meet the needs of all our learners.

We offer a range of school excursions across all subjects throughout the year. There are regular assemblies held to celebrate achievement and success. There is a range of lunchtime and after-school activities for students to take part in as well as opportunities f suporported study.