STAFF at Campbeltown Grammar School are supporting families who could claim free school meals, its head teacher has said.
A councillor asked about provision of the service after a report showed that 16.7 per cent of pupils at the school were receiving their free entitlement.
Head teacher Kirsty Donnelly gave an insight into the school’s methods of helping families claim free meals, along with the exclusion process.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee on Wednesday, June 4.
Councillor Anne Horn (SNP, Mid Argyll), who recently visited the school, said: “The pupils were articulate, welcoming and very proud of the school, and it was so good to hear their positive education journey.
“I appreciate that the SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) does not always reflect well in rural areas, and I know sometimes families have difficulties applying for free school meals.
“They do not want their children identified as different. How does Campbeltown Grammar School do that so that children are treated with dignity?”
Ms Donnelly said: “We approach families individually to support them where we feel it is required, and we give general information out to all our parents.
“We are aware that it is an issue because sometimes a family’s situation changes. Approaching people in a small, rural community is difficult.
“What I can say is staff know their families and their community, and sensitively approach it as best they can.
“We see data on how many are accessing free school meals and who we feel could access them, but we can only advise and support.”
Councillor Horn then asked about exclusions at the school, after noting that they were slightly higher than average.
Ms Donnelly responded: “We have worked on a nurturing approach. With the change in leadership there is sometimes a change in approach.
“We are looking at getting to know each other and staff are being trained in taking a nurturing approach to try to get ahead of situations that could result in exclusions. They try to look at alternatives.
“If an exclusion is appropriate then we go ahead with it, but we are continuing to work on that with our pupils, and with our own professional learning.”
