Why Castlebrae should be the first choice for your child

Support into jobs, college or university - we are the best school in the area at getting school leavers from Craigmillar into jobs, training, further or higher education.

Improved exam results year upon year - we prepare personal learning plans for all our students to help them reach their potential.

A teaching and learning policy that focuses on achievement and a hard working staff team committed to providing good quality teaching - class sizes are kept small to ensure individual attention.

A study support programme second to none - a study club for S1 and S2, study residentials and  1:1 tutoring for S3 - S6.

After school sport and physical activities programme to suit all tastes and levels of fitness - seven different sporting activities on offer.

Emphasis on positive home-school links and an excellent transition programme from primary to secondary to ensure the best possible start to Secondary School.

Strong links with the business community and an extensive programme of enterprise activities to help prepare students for the world of work.

Partnership programmes with colleges and universities including support into Higher Education (LEAPS) and Further Education (Lothian Step Up Programme).

Excellent pastoral care and support to individual students including top quality vocational and curricular guidance.

Target setting and mentoring for all students from 1st - 6th year.

Critical Success Factors

We must have:

• effective learning and teaching
• good standards of behaviour throughout the school
• support for the school from parents and the wider community
• commitment from staff to the school and the community it serves
• a positive engagement with learning by students

• good interpersonal relationships
• effective management
• a positive image of the school and its community
• the active promotion of an ethos of satisfaction for all

Dreams and Teams - Short Listed

The Curriculum - Years 3 and 4

• Your child will now follow a mainly elective programme of National Qualifications including Standard Grades, Intermediate and Access Courses.
• A range of enterprise activities will be provided to prepare your child for the world of work or further/higher education.
• Some vocational courses will be delivered through both the school and Further Education colleges.

The Curriculum - Years 5 and 6

• Students will be offered a range of Advanced Higher, Higher, Intermediate and other National Qualification courses to best meet their needs for leaving school whether to go into employment, Further or Higher Education.
• Special provision will be made for those students who are Christmas leavers and do not wish to complete a full academic year.  This will include a college or work placement.
• Additional support will be provided for those students hoping to go to university, through the LEAPS programme.

Throughout your child’s stay at Castlebrae you will be regularly informed of his/her progress through reports, parents’ evenings etc.  You are also most welcome to contact the school at any time to raise any matters of concern.

Christmas Leavers - Awarded Business Enterprise Certificate