Conference
Report
Additional Support for Learning 10 years on
Murrayfield Stadium, 6 March 2015
Additional Support for Learning 10 years on
Conference Report, Murrayfield Stadium, 6 March 2015
Summary
A conference to celebrate the full implementation of the Additional Support for Learning Act (ASL Act) was held on
6th March 2015 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. In his opening address, Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for
Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, spoke of the Act’s key role as the framework for the provision of
support for learning in Scotland and paid tribute to the innovative work of schools and centres in supporting and
challenging children and young people so that they can realise their full potential in learning, in work, and in life. Dr
Allan also emphasised the inclusive Scottish approach, which places the Additional Support for Learning Act within
the context of Scottish Government policies and programmes such as Curriculum for Excellence, Getting It Right
for Every Child, and the Children and Young People Act 2014.
The keynote speaker was Dr Kate Hannah HMI, Lead Officer for Additional Support, who discussed the evolving
concept of additional support needs since 2005, including areas such as the learning environment, family
circumstances, disability or health need and social, emotional and behavioural factors. Dr Hannah reported that
inspection is telling us that overall schools are meeting learning needs very well and in some cases, exceptionally
well. She identified the challenge of the future to be supporting those with 'hidden' additional support needs, for
example those children and young people who are looked after, who have mental health difficulties, those in
transition and those who are young carers.
Participants had the opportunity to attend workshops which exemplified a variety of good practice approaches to
the ways in which schools and centres improve outcomes for children and young people with additional support
needs in Scotland.
The Conference was closed by young people from Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld, Calderside Academy
in Blantyre and St Augustine’s High School in Edinburgh. The young people spoke confidently and movingly about
the impact the support they receive in school has made in their lives.
Education Scotland planned the event in partnership with Scottish Government. The shared agenda of this
conference was to:
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To highlight best practice & success in tackling inequality
To review the impact of legislation
To promote an inclusive Scottish identity
Feedback about the day
Comments about the day overall included:
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The young people at the end of the day were particularly inspirational!
Great opportunity to network with colleagues and share good practice.
Very informative. I particularly enjoyed the presentation from the Young People
The breadth and quality of expertise involved in the workshops were highly regarded, participants were enthused
and motivated by the sharing of good practice:
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Workshops were excellent.
Fantastic good practice sessions!
It was very useful to hear about good practice from other practitioners and also to have a degree of time to
reflect on how our own practice measured up.
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Respondants also suggested ways in which we could take this forward:
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More events for staff from ASN establishments to share good practice and
moderate across authorities.
I so wish others from my establishment had been able to attend - I would
love to see small-scale conferences at a more local level.
Keep us up to date with developments with respect to ASL Act and the
new code of practice.
The main presentations are available on the Education Scotland website.
Education Scotland and Scottish Government wish to thank the keynote presenters, leaders of workshops and
delegates for making the event a positive experience for all.
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Additional Support for Learning 10 Years On: Conference Report
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