Linburn Academy

Linburn Academy is a secondary school for pupils with additional support needs arising from profound and complex learning difficulties. We aim to provide a stimulating, wide ranging curriculum which builds on the strengths of each individual pupil. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, we encourage pupils to flourish and develop their educational, personal and social potentials.

We look forward to working in partnership with parents to establish a sound knowledge of their child which will enable us to work together to meet their needs.

Our current role at Linburn is 30 pupils. Linburn is a single level, purpose built school with wheelchair access. The capacity of the building is 35 pupils, housed in 5 classrooms. The school also has a home economics room, a sensory room and a general purpose hall/dining room.

Parents should note that the working capacity of the school may vary depending upon the number of pupils at each stage and the way in which the classes are organised. We are proud to announce we are a digital school and have won our Digital Schools Award.

Linburn Academy offers education to secondary school aged pupils who have additional support needs arising from complex learning difficulties. Our pupils have a wide range of educational need. Some are operating at a very early stage of development and need a high level of support to enable them to interact with their environment. Some communicate using augmentative and additional means of communication. Others have fluent speech and good comprehension. Many face additional barriers to learning, including communication disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, sensory and physical disabilities and the effects of drugs administered to control seizures.

As we progress to the adoption of the Curriculum for Excellence for all children in the 3-18 age range our curriculum policy has been reviewed. Our pupils learn best in real life contexts. For this reason we make extensive use of community facilities, other schools and colleges.

Pupils in first, second and third year receive a Broad General Education, a flexible approach to curriculum design which ensures that learners have access to varied, rich and rewarding educational experiences spanning all key aspects of their learning and development.

In fourth year, pupils move into the Senior Cycle, which provides a stimulating framework for all our learners and is designed to be an inclusive programme. All our pupils will have the opportunity to undertake National Qualifications and Awards at levels 1 and 2. A large number of units have been developed at those levels across the full range of the curriculum. Learners in the Senior Cycle also have access to a range of opportunities for wider achievement, including work experience, college placements, and placements with partners such as Fair Deal and The Hidden Gardens.