School achieves another first

The trio have become the first in Scotland to complete a work placement with the Scottish Government tailored specifically for pupils with extra support.

Over the course of three weeks, the boys were introduced to a full range of administration and support functions that keep offices running smoothly on a daily basis.

Tasks included photocopying, scanning, organising travel arrangements and covering front of house.

They also had to organise their own travel to and from the Scottish Government’s Atlantic Quay office to Falkland House School, which is situated on Falkland Estate.

The Scottish Government regularly offers graduate and undergraduate placements as well as summer internships.

However, this is the first time it has introduced a programme designed for pupils with additional support needs.

The school’s director, Stuart Jacob, said: “This has been a great experience for the boys and they would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scottish Government for all its support.

“They’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt some valuable skills they can take forward with them to the workplace.

“The logistics and nature of the placement made this quite a daunting prospect for them initially, but they have all coped admirably and proved themselves.

“Placements like this are invaluable to young people in building confidence and getting a taste of the world of work. I would urge more organisations to consider doing the same.”

During their visit to Atlantic Quay, the boys met Youth and Women’s Employment Minister Annabelle Ewing MSP, who said: “The Scottish Government leads by example in offering young people with additional support needs opportunities to experience the workplace.

“I am very pleased the young men from Falkland House enjoyed their stay in Atlantic Quay and I hope it will serve them well as they progress academically towards taking up their own career path.”

Falkland House School was one of the first independent schools in Scotland to be awarded Autism Accreditation by the National Autistic Society.

It has been awarded 10 ‘excellents’ by the Care Inspectorate, making it the highest rated educational establishment of its type in Scotland.

Despite working with children with social and behavioural difficulties, the Care Inspectorate described the relationships between pupils and staff as ‘ideal’.

In addition, Falkland House School was shortlisted in the sixth annual Times Educational Supplement (TES) School Awards earlier this year in the Special Needs school category, the only Scottish school to be shortlisted in this category.