Education & Schools

We aim to transform lives through learning across our primary and secondary schools and our tertiary education and training centre, The Skills Academy. By offering the right subject choices, combined with a robust support network, we can inspire children and young people to enjoy learning and encourage them to achieve.

Young people are referred to Kibble via local authorities when mainstream education has not been effective in meeting their needs. Many young people have experienced bullying, conflict, truancy, and/or low academic grades. Our aim is to reverse this pattern, providing an inspiring education programme, with supportive teaching, to help pupils achieve positive outcomes, while developing valuable life skills.

Education Scotland published their inspection report in April 2023 awarding Kibble as ‘very good’ across all quality indicators. Chief Executive Officer of Kibble, Jim Gillespie shared, “Kibble’s education services are a key pillar of the organisation, playing a vital role in supporting children and young people’s development and wellbeing.”

“The positive Education Scotland report is a testament to the dedication, passion and talent of Kibble’s teaching and support staff, who ensure pupils are given the best possible standard of education and every possible opportunity to thrive while they are here and once they leave the support of Kibble.”

School Curriculum

Our education provision delivers the broad outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence, in a highly supportive learning environment. Our Broad General Education (P1 – S3) is designed to develop children and young people’s knowledge, skills and life experience. Our Senior Phase Education (S4 – S6) offers young people the opportunities to combine valuable work experience with studying for academic and vocational qualifications.

Our education programme follows Curriculum for Excellence and is tailored to the needs of each individual. We want young people to develop skills for learning, life and work through education. This is introduced into the curriculum from primary school age and great emphasis is placed on the importance of building a continuum of skills. Kibble offers a broad curriculum which enables young people to learn about the world around them and link opportunities to their personal strengths, skills and talents.

Tertiary Education

As part of our tertiary education provision, young people (aged 15+) can undertake work-based learning, where they will work towards qualifications, such as SQA or City & Guilds in one of our social enterprises at The Skills Academy. As well as receiving mentoring support and earning a wage, young people gain real-life work experience in a wide range of areas including: mechanics, painting and decorating, catering, customer service and more. We will also help pupils with their CVs, and support them with job searches, applications and interviews.

Smaller Class Sizes

Our classrooms are well resourced and we have a maximum of six pupils per class. Pupils benefit from a rich learning environment and a lot of one-to-one support from teachers and classroom support workers. This is beneficial for pupils who have been affected by trauma and adverse life experiences.

Specialist Support

Pupils are supported by our Specialist Intervention Services (SIS) who provide psychological care and support to young people and their families on a needs-led basis. Our team of psychologists have particular specialisms in supporting young people affected by adversity or trauma. They provide evidence-based psychological consultation, assessment and interventions.

The School Community

Our school is part of Kibble’s rich community with its wide-ranging opportunities for pupils, families, teachers, foster carers and the wider community. Regular activities and events bring everyone together and include:

• Charity fundraising: Pupils help raise vital funds and awareness of charities close to their hearts.
• Concerts and theatre performances: Talented pupils hold regular productions showcasing their wealth of talent in all areas of the creative arts.
• School trips: These include day trips to local attractions, and foreign trips to experience other cultures and learn about history.
• Family fun days: A fun day for pupils’ families to get together for a day of games and lots of fun.