The new BEAR Programme at Dean Close Airthrie School

The new BEAR Programme at Dean Close Airthrie School

an education programme bespoke for every child

In September, Airthrie School will be launching a new and exciting educational programme that is tailored and bespoke for every child.  Within the School’s mainstream academic curriculum, the Bespoke Educational Airthrie Roadmap (BEAR) provides each child with the tools and framework to enhance their development in preparation for the next stage in their education, whether it is grammar, Dean Close or other independent, or maintained schools.

In the calm and nurturing school setting at Airthrie, where class sizes are intentionally small, every child’s unique educational roadmap is individually planned and supported through specialist expertise.  Combining personalised academic challenge and individual support, this enables every child at Airthrie to maximise their development and fulfil their unique potential in a warm, homely and supportive environment.

Airthrie’s dedicated staff have expertise in a wide range of educational specialisms, and these provide the foundations for outstanding quality and breadth across all areas of School life.  Within its rigorous curriculum, Airthrie has expertise in supporting specific learning differences such as dyslexia, challenges in speech, language and communication, as well as developmental language disorder.

A Bespoke Approach to Learning 

The BEAR Programme begins with identifying the ‘dreams’ of each individual child with their parents.  By understanding what truly matters to each family, teachers align their strategies so that every touchpoint in the child’s educational experience supports and strengthens individual growth and success.

What the BEAR Programme Means for Each Child

The staff at Airthrie work in partnership with each child and their parents to build towards specific goals. These include the acquisition of curriculum skills and knowledge and a wider definition of curriculum.  This may range from 1:1 preparation for grammar school entry through to building confidence and self-assurance in class discussions. For others, it may be making new friends, or honing skills and developing confidence outside the classroom, for example in sports or the creative arts.  Some goals may be shaped in partnership with Airthrie’s pastoral lead, speech and language and/or occupational therapists.

A Living Document for Continuous Growth

The Programme provides a living document that evolves in step with each child's development. Integrated into daily planning and teaching, it enables teachers to reflect, review and continually refine the bespoke support given to each child.

With open communication and regular reviews with each child and their parents, the BEAR Programme ensures that the perspectives of each child and parent are recognised and integrated into the learning process.  By combining assessment data with a teacher’s deeper and holistic understanding of each individual child, this well-rounded approach recognises and develops the unique potential of every pupil. Airthrie works closely with grammar, independent and maintained secondary schools so that the transition for each pupil is seamless, prepared and well supported. 

The BEAR programme is more than just an educational strategy, it is a commitment to recognising and nurturing the unique potential within every child, helping them to flourish in their learning journey and beyond.