Guidance
Staff
- Mr Malcolm Turner – Glamaig
- Mr Graeme MacDonald – Lomond
- Mrs Maire O’Boyle – Nevis
- Mr Oscar Mackay – Slioch
- Mrs Gill Davies – Wyvis
- Mr Michael Denmark (f/t temporary)
- Miss Karen Mason (p/t temporary)
Every pupil is allocated a Guidance teacher when he/she starts school, who stays with them throughout their time at Inverness Royal Academy. They are responsible for the personal, curricular and vocational care of the pupils within that House Group. The role of each Guidance Teacher is to help with any behavioural, personal, family or health issues and to be the first point of contact between school and home. A considerable amount of their time is devoted to teaching Personal and Social Education, giving advice on a wide range of topics such as Health and Social issues, as well as school course choices and career options. The advice given will be based on a realistic appraisal of the pupil’s prospects and consideration of their career aspirations. Pupils will also receive guidance and assistance on completing application forms for the workplace/college/university as well as interview techniques. Their other duties include the monitoring of attendance; reviewing of pupils’ progress and assessing the individual support needs of each pupil.
Personal and Social Education
All pupils in S3 and S4 have a compulsory core of PSE in their curriculum.
In S3, pupils follow the first part of the two year “Healthy Relationships” course. The main topics dealt with are:
- Relationships
- Contraception
- Sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS.
The S3 course also includes units of work which deal with study skills, bullying, citizenship, enterprise activity and drugs education.
In S4, the main emphasis in PSE shifts to the world of work, work experience and careers education. All pupils follow a course entitled “World of Work”, which incorporates one week of work experience with a local company and which leads to an award at Access/Intermediate 1. The second part of the course centres on Careers Education; learning interview techniques from members of local businesses, looking at local job/Skillseeker opportunities and attending careers talks by visiting speakers. The third part is a continuation of the “Healthy Relationships” course in addition to a unit on Crime and Punishment and Mental Health.
Parents should contact Guidance in the first instance with any matter relating to their child/children’s education.