The Hub is our complex needs provision which is at the heart of St David’s High School. Placements are allocated through the ERG panel which meet at specified dates across the school year. Paperwork should be completed by the primary school that your child currently attends. A decision will then be made as to what type of support your child meets whether that be in the mainstream, Sfl department or complex needs provision.

 

Vision

Through our ASPIRE values we encourage every young person to participate in their own learning and to reach their full potential whatever that looks like for each individual.

 

Aims

We aim to nurture, support and develop a range of skills and experiences for each young person.  We also aim to develop life and independence skills preparing them for future transitions. 

 

Values

We use the school ASPIRE values throughout the learning and teaching process as well as awarding Star of the Week and merits.

 

Hub Structure

The Hub is organised into three/ four classes from S1 –S6. The pupils who are in S1-S3 study   Broad General Education otherwise known as BGE. During the phases of Broad General Education learners will be given the opportunity to experience a breadth of experiences and outcomes across the eight curricular areas. Choices are made at the end of S3 to progress into Senior Phase (S4-S6) where learners are given the opportunity to achieve accreditation through SQA units and courses or other alternative achievement awards as appropriate. Our pupils access a range of classes in the mainstream at St David’s. The number of classes and the subjects which they attend depends on the individual pupil. This means for some they spend more time in the Hub accessing a small number of classes in the mainstream supported by one of our learning assistants. For others it can mean they spend most of their time in mainstream and access the Hub for some subjects.

 

The Hub School Day

The Hub school day begins with the arrival of pupil taxi’s and buses at 08.40. A member of the Hub Team will meet and greet the young person at the door and ensure that they get to their Hub classroom. They get the opportunity to say Good Morning to their Hub teacher who will help to get prepared for the school day. They will also support the young person to navigate their timetable to see which classes/subjects that they will attend. The Hub school day runs at slightly adjusted times from that of the High School in order to get to class when the corridors are quieter. The day is divided into 7 periods.

 

Hub School Day and Attendance

Pupils will be called to the door by Hub staff at 3.10 - when the taxis arrive to collect and take our pupils home at the end of the day.

On Fridays the school closes for Hub pupils at 1.00 pm and this is when the pupils will be collected by their taxi.

If pupils arrive after 8.40 am they must report to Pupil Support (with support) to obtain a late slip that will record the time of your arrival and also to the Hub to let your Hub teacher know that you are in. This slip should then be handed to the class teacher on entry to the classroom.

 

Transport

Transport if being provided for your young person will be provided by Midlothian Council for pupils attending The Hub. They will be picked up from home and returned there at the end of the school day by taxi. The taxi driver will be in touch to say hello and advise of the time they will be picking the young person up. They should be ready for school at the arranged time as the taxi drivers are unable to wait more than a couple of minutes. Any questions/complaints or queries should be directed to Midlothian Transport. Please note that The Hub have no control over transport being provided.

 

What will I study?

The First, Second and Third Years (S1/S2/S3) - Broad General Education

S1-3 is a time in which you have the time and the opportunity to build on knowledge and skills that you have learned in primary school. This will provide the firm foundations for choosing and specialising in a range of subjects when you enter the Senior Phase. The subjects covered in the mainstream of which you may access a few are as follows:

 

English                                                  Maths

Science                                                  French

History                                                  Geography

Music                                                    Art & Design

RE/PSE                                                Home Economics

PE                                                         Craft, Design and Technology

ICT

 

In addition to this within the Hub we deliver the following Subjects at a level appropriate for the young person:

• Health and Wellbeing - which encompasses PE, Life Skills including Kitchen Skills Social Skills, Problem Solving and Emotions which all aim to promote independence.
• Literacy and Communication - Listening and Talking, Reading and Writing.
• Maths - Number Money and Measure

 

Other curricular subjects/ wider achievements studied may be as follows:

• JASS
• Horticulture
• Science
• Social Studies (Topic)
• Art
• ICT

 

The Senior Phase (S4-6)

S4 students will have chosen the subjects they will sit their Scottish National Qualifications in, at the appropriate level. In addition S4/5/6 students will have the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement during their fourth/fifth or sixth year. The purpose of this is to introduce them to the world of work and to develop their skills for learning, work and life.

 

The S5&6 options are designed to enable pupils to build on their learning and to allow a degree of specialism. As with the experience at the end of S3, pupils will be supported throughout this process by staff and the careers service in a similar way.

 

Within the Hub the senior phase pupils will be working towards a range of National Qualifications at Levels 1-3. They will also have wider achievement opportunities such as DofE. Pupils will have the opportunity to undertake a supported work placement. This could be an experience within the school such as working in the school library, canteen etc. At this stage pupils will continue to work on developing skills and strategies and have opportunities to visit post school destinations such as College and Day services. These include but are not limited to services such as Garvald, Y-Cats, Cherry Road, Upward Mobility. There may also be opportunities for supported employment.   

 

School Uniform

At St David’s High School we do encourage you to wear school uniform although we do understand that for some of our pupils may not be appropriate. Our school dress code is as follows:

• Dark trousers/skirt (not jeans) with either
• Plain blue or white collared shirt and school tie or
• School polo shirt and sweat shirt (available from school office)
• Grey jumper/cardigan
• Sensible dark shoes
• School blazer – S1-S4 and compulsory for S5 and S6 students.
• For health and safety reasons facial piercings and chunky necklaces should not be worn.

Please could you ensure that you bring a spare set of clothing with you to be kept at school.  

 

For Physical Education

 

A change of t-shirt, shorts/tracksuit bottoms/jogging trousers and trainers.

Swimming wear and a towel for swimming lessons as appropriate.

A tracksuit or waterproof jacket for outdoor work in cold weather.

A wash bag with shampoo/conditioner/ shower gel/toothbrush/ toothpaste and deodorant.

A towel.

The change of clothes should be brought with you in a bag and be marked you’re your name to avoid any mix ups with others.

 

Homework

If you are accessing mainstream you may be set homework by the mainstream class teachers this should be completed at home if possible/appropriate. 

Pupil Council

There is representation from each of the four hub classes on the Pupil Council. The role of which is to involve all learners in the making decisions about the school.

Aims:

• To help make the Hub the best it can be.
• To discuss ideas and think of possible solutions
• To listen to all pupils in school and represent their needs at council meetings
• To help with fundraising events
• To share ideas with pupils and teachers in the Hub and within the mainstream.
• To help make important decisions
• To put forward ideas
• To work together as a team

 

Lunches and Breaks

Pupils in the Hub are supervised at break and lunch time by teaching and support staff. There are opportunities across the school day that staff will take the young people out for a walk, game of football etc.

Young people will be provided with their own lunch number and they can use this to purchase meals. Their account can be topped up with money through Parent Pay. There are many more choices of things to eat at high school and I am sure that they will be able to find something that they will like and enjoy. If you prefer they can bring a packed lunch. We know some of our pupils may have special dietary requirements, don’t worry we can organise special meals with the dinner ladies. The school menu will be available on the school website. School meals cost £2.40 per day.

For safety reasons –Pupils will not be allowed to leave the school grounds during lunchtime unless a written request has been received from a parent or carer and risk assessment carried out and agreed by the Depute Head Teacher.

 

Behaviour in the Hub

At St David’s High School and the Hub we have three school rules which are as follows: