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From 2nd to 12th June 2025, we’re quietly marking the Empathy Festival—a celebration of how stories help us see the world through other people’s eyes. Research shows that as well as improving literacy and attainment, reading can help build empathy. When we read, we step into someone else’s experience—feeling their fears, hopes, challenges, and joys. It can stretch our perspective and reminds us that every life is complex, valuable, and worth understanding. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, reading offers a moment to slow down and connect—with ourselves and with others.There is also an opportunity for pupils and staff to send ‘Empathy Messages’ to other pupils or staff in the school with message slips and ‘post boxes’ available in the library and foyer. This can be to thank them for being kind, caring and helpful towards them, or for something nice they did. It is an opportunity to show appreciation.On Empathy Day, Thursday 12th June, there will be a low-key event in the library at lunchtime: a space to reflect, discover books that promote empathy and wellbeing, and maybe find a story that speaks to you in just the way that one might need.Our Empathy Collection reading list can be found here on OLIVER, our Library Catalogue: tinyurl.com/26qmna7u #EmpathyDay #ReadForEmpathy #WellbeingThroughReading #EmpathyFestival
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Support for Learning

Staff

Mrs J. Nixon (PT)
Mrs F. Bevan (SfL teacher)
Ms G. Harcus (SfL teacher)
Ms C. McCulloch (SfL teacher)
Ms. P. Scott (SfL teacher)
Mrs L. Lea (SfL assistant)
Mrs C. Stevenson (SfL assistant)

Department

The Support for Learning team aim to help every child achieve their potential during their time at Stromness Academy. We offer a range of support to our students based on their learning needs. This includes literacy and numeracy interventions, one-to-one tuition, in class support and small group teaching.

We co-ordinate the support across the school, working closely with the guidance team to ensure we get it right for every child.

Every student starting at Stromness Academy is allocated a SfL teacher. Ms Mehmi has responsibility for the students in Thorfinn and Rognavald house, with Mrs Nixon looking after the students in Magnus. We also draw on support from the wider council pupil support team and health service as needed.

Facilities

The Support for Learning base is the central hub of our work. Our base consists of two offices, a classroom, a reading room, a rest room and a changing room.

Courses

Fresh Start literacy teaching
Shine Maths numeracy teaching
Small group teaching for senior phase pupils
Spelling interventions
SEBD/Mental health group work
Hearing loss support
Practical helper support in vocational/technical subjects
Autism support lessons

Extra-curricular

The SfL base is open every break and lunchtime for students to socialise/play games and catch up with SfL team.

Homework club – support from a SfL teacher in the base on a Monday and Thursday lunchtime

Lego club – Tuesday lunchtime

Links

BBC Bitesize

MyMaths

Sumdog

Disclaimer

Stromness Academy seeks to ensure that the information published on its website is up-to-date and accurate. However, the information on the website does not constitute legal or professional advice and Stromness Academy cannot accept any liability for actions or consequences arising from its use. Stromness Academy cannot be held responsible for the contents of any other website accessed through a link on our site. Stromness Academy provides these links as a convenience and inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by Stromness Academy of an external site.

Stromness Academy