Oaklands School

Situated in the north-west of Edinburgh, Oaklands School provides a supportive learning environment for learners with additional support needs aged 3 to 18 years old. Oaklands benefits from on-site multi-disciplinary therapy and medical teams in addition to our education staff. This helps our learners achieve their full potential.

The school serves a wide area with pupils attending from throughout the city of Edinburgh and the Lothians.In 2006 Oaklands School moved to its present location on Ferry Road.

Oaklands School provides education for children and young people with complex, long term additional support needs where the presumption of mainstream cannot be met and require a significantly modified learning environment. Needs of learners are primarily associated with learning disability and significant visual / sensory, health and medical needs.

Our vision is for all children and young people in Oaklands to enjoy their childhood and achieve their potential.

We believe that children and young people in Oaklands do best when:

• They are able to live safely, happily and in good health within caring family homes with the right kind of support as needed.
• They attend first class inclusive schools which meet their needs so that they can learn and reach their potential.

They are raised within caring, supportive environment with access to a range of support and activities and they play a full part within their communities.

Facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, soft play room and multi-sensory room as well as dedicated art, music, drama and home economics. An overhead tracking system means that all rooms are accessible for children in wheelchairs. There are medical and dental treatment rooms. A dentist and dental hygienist regularly visit the school.

Keycomm, a citywide resource exists to help people with communication impairments, make use of technology to contribute to and control their environment. This resource is based and used extensively by our school as is Kidzcare, a holiday play scheme which is offered to all of our school aged pupils.

There are currently 4 classes in the primary, and 3 in the secondary. Class sizes are small and well-staffed with typically a teacher, 2 nursery nurses and 2 pupil support assistants in each class. The school currently has a role of 52 pupils.

Physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy as well as health and dental services are all based in Oaklands. The therapists and education staff work closely together to secure the best outcomes for our pupils. The school doctor, orthotist and consultant medical and visual paediatricians hold regular clinics in school.

Oaklands School Aims:

• To provide a broad, balanced curriculum which meets pupils’ individual needs effectively and shows clear evidence of pupil achievement.
• To promote innovative and inclusive practice throughout the school.
• To provide a Total Communication Environment.
• To develop transdisciplinary practice which maximises pupil learning (e.g. through MOVE).
• To provide a safe, secure environment that promotes and maximises pupil learning.
• To work at positive home/school links and develop outreach support for parents and families.
• To ensure/keep under review the use of appropriate resources in meeting pupil targets and encourage participation and choice appropriate to pupils’ level of ability throughout the school day.
• To be a Health Promoting School and provide well balanced nutritional meals that are pleasing to look at with appropriate colour and texture.
• To be an enterprising and environmentally friendly school which builds effective links with the community and uses community resources to meet pupil targets.
• To achieve open and honest cooperation amongst staff, parents, therapists and all agencies and create a positive ethos.
• To ensure robust monitoring and evaluation processes are in place.
• To develop an ethos of equality of opportunity for all staff and pupils.