The Braes Context
During session 2021-2022 we received £62,485 in Pupil Equity Funding from the Scottish Government.
Supporting our young people and their families during recovery has been our focus as we ensure that every young person has equity of opportunity and can reach their potential for excellence.
The health and wellbeing of our learners, ensuring they are supported to engage, attend, achieve and attain has been at the heart of our recovery process. As with previous years our wider focus has been on reducing the cost of the school day and developing our approaches to maximising income for families.
Our aim is to make sure that everyone feels part of our Braes community, can access to the same opportunities and has whatever they need to reach their goals.
Whole School
- 983 school roll
- 12.4% entitled to FSM (122)
- 7.6% living in SIMD 1-3
- 33.06% in SIMD 4-7
- 60.83% in SIMD 8-10
- The majority of young people entitled to FME are living in SIMD 4-7
- 184 pupils involved in our Onwards & Upwards programme, 18.71%
Our Approach
Our motto at Braes is "build respect and earn success - be part of it". We are a community focused school who understand we all have a part to play in ensuring the best outcomes for our learners. By collaborating with our pupils, Parents/Carers, staff, and partners we have developed an approach to closing the attainment gap that is targeted towards providing individuals with the right support at the right time and ensuring clear progression pathways towards positive destinations.
Through our targeted approaches we continue to build on the positive relationships we have with our learners and their families.
The main areas for development:
- attendance
- attainment
- engagement
- confidence
- independence
Our vision acknowledges and addresses the significant barriers faced by families living in poverty and ensures equity of opportunity for all our Braes community. Our plan creates a space where all pupils feel part of our community. We have a restorative and reflective approach when things go wrong that supports young people to address harm and rebuild relationships. Family learning and engagement are key to ensuring young people have the support needed at home and that our families feel confident participants in their young person's learning journey.
Our Onwards & Upwards strategy to close the poverty related attainment gap focuses on key two priorities as part of our SIP:
- 1b - enhance attainment
- 1d - enhance equity of opportunity and achievement
O&U1: raise attainment to ensure equity and enhance educational outcomes for young people affected by poverty
We will:
- Provide strong progression pathways for pupils and families participating in O&U
- Increase attainment of target attainment groups through Year Lead commissions
- Support and improve pupil engagement
- Continue to develop Family Learning and Engagement
- Strengthen supports already in place
O&U2: develop a whole school approach to equity through Cost of the School Day
We will:
- Include DIP action points for ensuring equity
- Raise awareness of attitudes to tackle the stigma surrounding poverty
- Develop and improve communication and engagement with current supports
- Reduce the cost of the school day and maximise income for families
Impact
This session we have
- provided 166 additional qualifications in S4
- led the development of COSD across the school through staff and Pupil-led COSD working groups
- delivered a CLPL programme on strategies to close the gap and support vulnerable learners
- supported pupils through enhanced course choice conversations
- provided additional financial support for 50+ families through our Income Maximisation Support Officer
- increased engagement with Parent's Evening through our Year Leads
- increased our bank of online videos to support learners and help families
- continued our strong links with Barnardo's, CLD, Canine Concern Trust and built partnerships with Child Poverty Action Group, Community First, CAS Falkirk
Targeted Attainment Groups
Our Targeted Attainment Groups supported by our Year Lead teachers are proving successful in supporting learners to achieve and building strong relationships between home and school. We created close and open track groups for our O&U programmes. Year Leads tracked and monitored pupils throughout the year and were able to intervene early and provide more one to one support as needed. Pupils had a specific teacher they could go to for help and someone they knew would support them across their subjects and support them with the social, health and wellbeing aspects of school as well as the academics.
Each group had a core period with their O&U Lead to work together on coursework, additional qualifications, skills development and build relationships. This approach has proved extremely successful and popular with pupils and families.
S1 Strides
Strides is a group of 36 S1 pupils. Due to Covid-19 restrictions these pupils did not experience the usual transition programmes offered to P7 pupils leading to pupils lacking confidence. It was also clear that a number of pupils were still working within first level Literacy therefore a target was put in place to improve this. Low level behaviour issues began to rise throughout the year therefore an aim was to support young people to manage their behaviour and make positive choices.
Areas for development:
- Participation
- Confidence
- Independence in learning
Individual pupils were provided with bespoke support packages. That took into account their strengths and challenges. For some young people this meant extra Literacy support through Lexia for others operating a daily tracking card to help them focus on their behaviour. The introduction of a Strides Lunchtime club was particularly effective in building strong relationships and getting to know our young people.
Impact:
- Literacy gap has halved narrowing to 0.1
- 19 pupils achieve prizes at this year's Awards Ceremony
- 67% decrease in negative referrals
- 35% increase in positive referrals
- Average attendance of 89%
- Increased confidence and improved social skills
I’ve became more confident in classes like maths and at flourish I have became more confident with cooking
More confident made new friends time to chill at lunch I like the people.
Feel good with good teacher Miss McDonald
Flourish
Our Flourish programme is shaped by activities around aspects of Health and wellbeing including Food and Health, Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport (PEPAS), Mental, Emotional, Social and Physical wellbeing. The programme works with a group of pupils in S1 who may require additional support with HWB or to help build their confidence in school. Through our close relationship with our cluster primaries and discussion with Pastoral, Pupil Support and Year Lead staff we were able to identify pupils who would benefit most from this programme.
Pupils meet two periods a week to take part in practical cookery sessions and physical activity. One of the main challenges this session has been retaining the successful Family Learning aspect during the restrictions placed by COVID. In school our sessions focused on cooking healthy recipes then each young person was provided with ingredients to replicate the recipe at home with their families.
Pupils have also created recipe videos to develop their communication and digital literacy skills whilst also encouraging others to try out their healthy recipes.
Strong relationships have been built between pupils, pupils and families, families and school. Young people have demonstrated increased confidence and engagement with school activities.
S2 Onwards & Upwards
S2 pupils have faced some of the biggest challenges due to COVID with missing out on their last months of P7 and a disrupted introduction to S1.
The gap from this group was identified as:
- literacy
- attendance
- low-level behaviour
Impact:
- 9% increase in Literacy levels
- 80% pupils achieved level 3B or above
- 16% increase in Numeracy levels
- 74% pupils achieved level 3B or above
- All pupils have achieved Level 2 bronze in English
- Enhanced course choice for all pupils
- 70% parental engagement in S2 Parents' Night
‘Speaking to you really helps’
‘Really grateful for the support from the school- great service!’
‘Your support means the world to our family’
Making Positive Choices
A number of our S1 & S2 pupils were supported through our Making Positive Choices group which focused on building confidence and increasing engagement through nurturing approaches. As well as taking part in physical activities such as Tae-Kwon-Do and boxing. These young people were also supported by Senior BrAce Aware & Talk to Me pupils who acted as Mentors providing additional support and a sign-post to supports available in school and out. The Wednesday lunch club proved particularly successful for young people to build relationships.
S3 & 4 Ascent
Our S3/4 programme provides additional support to learners in our Onwards & Upwards group. Working with small targeted groups throughout the school year our S3 & S4 Year Leads were able to support young people with their classes and coursework whilst also working on additional qualifications to increase opportunities and develop their skills.
In S3 there are 43 pupils, 20 of whom are closely tracked. In S4 there are 49 pupils in total, with at least half who are closely tracked.
As pupils have been preparing for examinations and additional qualifications, our main focus was to improve attendance and maximise attainment. By building strong relationships with our learners and their families, our aim was to close the poverty related attainment gap.
Core classes were created to provide support with subject related and wider achievement qualifications. Pupils attended these classes once a week and received both academic and emotional support. Pupils divided their time because working on additional qualifications and study support. Support was also provided via Teams pages.
Individualised plans were created to support our most vulnerable learners to ensure the right support was provided at the right time.
Impact:
- 49% of the group have banked 4 or more NQs in S3
- Every close track S3 pupil received an award or was nominated at Awards Ceremony
- 166 additional qualifications in S4
- 100 National Qualifications in S4
- 66 Wider Achievement qualifications in S4
- 10 pupils achieved L5 leadership, 3 pupils level 6 in S4
- S4 Attendance improved by 3%
As a team, we wanted to improve mind-set about our O&U learners. We have worked closely with departments to maximise potential of our O&U learners. Through continued conversations with departments we have worked hard to ensure back up qualifications are in place for those most at risk.
I have gotten more qualifications over the year and I’m gonna get more this year so it’ll help when I’m looking for a job
The biggest impact was getting help with my mental health
her confidence has grown as well as the additional qualifications
I feel this program has given my son a lot of confidence as well as guidance/support throughout and has really been rewarding for him
Flourishing through Family Learning & Engagement
Under the leadership of Miss Kelly our Family Learning programme continues to gain momentum. Despite the challenges faced this session due to COVID we have been able to provide a variety of learning opportunities for Parents/Carers as well as enhance our support for families to engage with school and their young person's learning journey.
- 50min sessions
- BGE – Skill Builders
- Senior Phase – Exam Support
- Stimulating, challenging and enjoyable activities
- Learning outcomes support families through changes and choices
- As a result of our family learning sessions, families have increased aspirations as individuals and as a family. They have a sense of achievement and successes are recorded and celebrated.
Good Food Ambassadors
This year we have partnered with Forth Environment Link to improve access to nutritious, sustainable, acceptable and affordable food in our Braes community.
The Good Food Ambassadors programme is made up of:
- Digital Training
- Carbon Literacy training
- Plough to Plate education
- Leading to Braes becoming a Sustainable Food Place
Starting in January this year we have 12 pupils when have been attending weekly 2 hour practical sessions. Pupils have created their own project/ portfolio which is a take on their own ‘Hello Fresh’ type boxes, where they have designed and created recipe templates and boxes. Next term, their plan is to harvest fruit and vegetables they have planted this term and put them in boxes along with complimenting recipes. They will then give these out free of charge to our vulnerable members of our school community. They have already tried out some recipes from their produce such as Beetroot Brownies and Green Veggie Pies. Pupils also created their own video this term to show send the message to our community about ‘Reuse, Reduce and Recycle’, please find the link below.
We have our Braes Polycrub launch on the 14th of September and this funding would allow us to create a inclusive, safe outdoor space where our Braes Community can celebrate Food Education for all.
A Whole School Approach
Key to improving the educational outcomes of our most vulnerable learners has been our whole school approach -we know young people do best when they are in class and engaged. By highlighting the members of our O&U group and communicating our aims clearly and consistently we have made sure all staff are aware of their responsibilities in supporting our most vulnerable learners.
As in previous years Pupil Premium funding was provided directly to Faculties to support creativity and innovation in closing the gap at classroom level. This session has seen the following supports offered through our Pupil Premium Funding to name a few:
- Small group tutoring with subject specialists
- Access to Digital Theatre online learning resources and productions for all supporting blended learning
- Achieve Study Support has supported pupils to "streamline" their studying and proved "effective at making students aware of their skills"
- White Rose Maths has led to significant improvement in engagement and focus of classes . Pupils have been appropriately challenged and feel they are making progress.
As well as meeting with all staff during INSET to highlight plans for O&U we have also provided a full CLPL programme designed to provide tools and strategies to support out most vulnerable learners. Our Year Leads have presented updates to all staff and provided Pupil Profiles to support class teachers when working with our young people. Keeping the most vulnerable learners at the forefront on everyone's mind has ensured these young people are the focus when planning learning and teaching across the school.
Impact:
- 100% of teaching staff are aware of O&U
- 95.3% aware/fully aware of the purpose/rationale of the O&U programme
- 95.3% aware of the young people in their class who belong to O&U, 100% are aware where they can find this information out
- 84% think the aims have been communicated extremely effectively
- 100% have established positive relationships
- 100% used OTB, Quick Guide, PEF communications
- 93% have worked one to one with young people
- 98% adapted their teaching
- 98% spoke to O&U, Past, Pupil Support
- 86% offering alternative qualifications
- 83.7% taken steps to reduce the cost of the school day
- 67.4% have made use of O&U programme
- 51.2% made use of PP funding
- 55.8% led targeted supported study
I see a real and noticeable increase in pupil engagement and confidence in pupils who are accessing the programmes available. I have also notice a real change in pupils’ dialogue around the cost of the school day. It is becoming a more open discussion with less stigma attached, which is good to see.
Huge impact seen in particular the work being done on banking qualifications with our most vulnerable young people.
Pupils feel listened to and supported.
Braes Buddies & Braes Brains
We continue to offer support through our successful Braes Brains Peer Tutoring and Braes Buddies (Pet Assisted Therapy) sessions. Braes Brains harnesses the skills and experience of our Senior pupils who work in small groups or one to one with pupils over a 6 session period to improve their skills and confidence in particular areas of study.
Jamie, our Therapet, has been supporting an S1 English class with their Literacy skills. He has also supported pupils individually with confidence, anxiety and supporting them to improve their attendance.
Next session Jamie and Janette will be working with S1 and S2 English classes as well as supporting learners in a new programme developing skills in functional reading.
Cost of the School Day
Developing a whole school approach to equity through reducing the Cost of the School Day and maximising income for families is a key priority of our Onwards & Upwards programme.
In August 2019 we presented to staff to raise awareness of the hidden costs of the school day. Since then we have established Staff and Pupil-led COSD working groups which focus on reducing the cost of the school day, finding low cost alternatives, maximising income and, tackling the stigma surrounding poverty. Our COSD strategy has our partners at its core. This has been achieved through discussion with our Parent Council, FAB, and the contributions of our young people through a Pupil Council led COSD consultation of Braes pupils. This consultation was repeated post-COVID to ensure the supports we offer are those most needed by our community to support them and their families with the cost of school.
We have a strong partnership with Child Poverty Action Group who have featured strategies such as our dedicated COSD webpage and COSD Pupil Group as good practice. Recently our COSD Pupil group was invited to submit a joint response with CPAG to the Scottish Government’s Cross Party Inquiry on poverty.
Braes High Cost of the School Day pupil group is a brilliant example of young people leading the way on equity
Pupil COSD Working Group
Our Cost of the School Day pupil group aims to:
- be the pupil voice around cost of the school day and reduce costs for pupils and families
- improve communication and increase uptake of the supports already in place
- look for opportunities to provide further support to our school community
Achievements this year:
- Over 600 responses to our COSD Pupil Survey
- COSD logo competition to raise awareness
- Expansion of Take What You Need Trolleys
- Contributions towards CPAG and Scottish Governement Cross Party group
- Development of inputs for PSE lessons to raise awareness and address stigma
- Development of Braes Pantry our community food bank project
Next year our aim is to work with our Cluster primaries to create their own COSD Pupil groups. Working within our cluster will ensure all Braes families have support with the costs surrounding education and will increase awareness of the supports at Braes even before their young person attends high school.
Reducing educational costs
After a successful pilot and support from our Friends At Braes group we introduced Take What You Need trolleys across the school.
These trolleys can be used by all pupils and provide essential items you might need for school as well as toiletries and snacks.
The trolleys have been one of the most successful projects to reduce the COSD and have been replicated in a number of other schools.
Pop Up Shops
Young people and their families can access a variety of pop up shops across the year. This year has seen the introduction of both Halloween and PE pop-up shops alongside our Winter, Summer and Prom clothing pop-ups to provide further support and build on reduce, reuse, recycle ethos.
Raising awareness and increasing uptake of supports available.
We have many supports available but we wanted to make sure that message was coming across and all Pupils, Parents/Carers are aware of the supports on offer and can access them easily and without stigma.
From the interventions already in place such as our Festive Parcels, Braes Backpacks, and Pop-ups it was evident that more families are experiencing financial hardship and suffering the impact of poverty. This year we have responded to this need in three areas:
- Improved communication of supports already available
- Income Maximisation Officer
- Braes Pantry community food bank
Improved Communication
Our dedicated COSD section of the website has been successful in providing a one stop shop. Communication at Assemblies and emails home have also helped communicate this message. Working with the Pupil COSD group to complete the pupil survey really helped to raise awareness among the pupil body. Group Call has also been effective in helping to support families directly. Our Year Leads have also worked hard to build strong relationships with families and make sure that they are contacted to inform them of supports.
Social media has been key to our strategy in engaging young people and raising awareness among the pupil body. This year we have created both Braes COSD and Braes Pantry Instagrams alongside our already running twitter accounts to ensure information reaches a wider audience.
Income Maximisation Officer
Working with Falkirk Citizen's Advice Bureau we began a 6 month trial working with a dedicated Income Maximisation Officer for Braes High families. This gave us direct access to refer families to an Income Support Officer who can work with families to ensure they are getting all benefits to which they are entitled.
In the 6 months we have referred over 50 families and our IMO has accessed over £5,500 in additional funding for Braes families.
Braes Pantry
Braes Pantry is a community food bank based in Braes High school. This session we have focused on planning and getting the pantry up and running based on donations to the school. Resources in our pantry are available to all Braes pupils and their families who may be in need.
To raise awareness of the pantry and encourage donations our Pupil Pantry Team worked with our school Mental Health resource Braes Brightside to create a kindness challenge. Pupils were asked to take a selfie with Braes Pantry Donation boxes to be in with the change of winning a £25 voucher.
Thank you for helping us this Christmas with festive parcel; it made such a difference
Braes Backpacks
Our Braes Backpacks project has also expanded this session with every S1 pupil being offered the opportunity for a Braes Backpack. These backpacks provide all the resources you will need for starting school alongside a message of advice and encouragement from a Senior pupil.
Holiday Activity Programme
Our holiday activity programme has also expanded this session providing activities during the October and Easter breaks.
Some of these services have been a god send during tough times and packages a joy for the family to receive. Very grateful
A Whole School Approach to COSD
The willingness of staff to address the poverty-related barriers faced by our young people has been fantastic. The understanding shown by staff and students that some young people (due to significant, poverty related barriers) will require more time and support to engage with opportunities in order to be successful is at the heart of improving outcomes for our most in need. From providing space for a Take What You Need Trolley to looking at alternative no to low-cost opportunities Braes staff have whole-heartedly a supported reducing the cost of the school day.
We have supported this whole school approach through in-house CLPL and INSET sessions focused on reducing the stigma surrounding poverty and raising awareness of the impact of poverty on learning. By highlighting the whole school importance of this issue and providing staff with the strategies to support our most vulnerable learner and their families we can ensure those in our Braes community understand that as a school we a willing and able to talk about costs and money.
We will be continuing this approach next session through a Cost of the School Day focus in our School Improvement Plan.
For my children these have been invaluable. Without these supports we would not have been able to clothe our children in the required uniforms, and they would probably not have had the option of varied lunches.
Barnardo's & CLD
We continue to work closely with partners both in CLD and at Barnardo's. Between July 2021 and May 2022 Barnardo’s project worker has supported 22 pupils and their families. There is no definite timescale to support each young person allowing our project worker to build up relationships. The support is built around the needs of each of the young people and could range from one term to all four terms. Support is also offered to the families if appropriate.
Barnardo’s outcomes are as follows:
- Increased resilience
- Improved family communication
- Able to solve conflicts constructively
- Positive / improved family relationships
- Positive student attitude towards learning
- Contribute to planning and decision making
“It has been helpful, and I know It’s not a quick fix but willing to continue with strategies to help”
“I like coming to see Helen, she always has a smile and listens to my worries, we try and find solutions to them”
“At first, I was a bit worried about see you, but I know you are helping me with my emotion and thing are getting a better at home. ”
Barnardo's have also offered families support with their young people through our Braes on Screen programme offering advice on how
Handy Tips to Help with Your Teenager
“Thanks for the support over the holidays when school was off, just a chance to talk to someone about my concerns helped”
“The wellness package dropped off at the house was very kind and thoughtful”
“Knowing you were around during the October break was great and called me back when I sent txt
“Thank you for the Tesco voucher It really helped us out at Christmas and gave us some extras to treat the kids”
“Thank you for your persistence and flexibility coming to the house for a visit and picking up my daughter and getting her school.”
Moving Forward 2023
Closing the poverty related attainment gap is a responsibility for us all and is one of the most important things we can do to change the lives of our most vulnerable learners. The most significant and sustainable impact comes from teachers in the classroom taking the time to build relationships, get to know our young people as individuals and ensuring they have access to whatever they need. We all have responsibility for taking steps to ensure the most vulnerable in our classrooms succeed.
Our strategy moving forwards into 2023 builds on the progress we have made in raising attainment and reducing the cost of the school day.
Awareness, Acceleration, Analysis
Through a whole school approach we will continue to raise awareness of our most vulnerable learners; their strengths and challenges. With recovery in mind we aim to accelerate progress for our learners through the targeted support of our Year Lead commissions and effective use of our Pupil Premium. We will be providing all staff the tools and support necessary to support our most vulnerable learners through improved communication of the strategies that can be used in the classroom to support our most vulnerable learners via Pupil Profiles, CLPL on effective approaches to closing the gap, analysing and understanding the gap and effective evidence gathering. There will also be increased PP funding available for Faculties/Depts wishing to upscale successful programmes or work collaboratively across Faculties to support learners to achieve.
Equity & Sustainable Change
Poverty is not a limiter to the potential young people can reach but it is a huge barrier. We can remove barriers by ensuring our classrooms are equitable places. This does not mean removing opportunity but removing the costs around education and ensuring that every young person has access to the same opportunities and understands the opportunities open to them.
I can't complain about the supports that you have in place...They are an absolute life saver. My daughter is actively participating in these activities instead of sitting outside the classroom or in a separate room. Fabulous!
Excellent and interesting programme for a young person to be part of. Many thanks.
If you would like any more information on the Onwards & Upwards programme at Braes High please see our previous updates or get in touch.
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