Current Projects and New Approaches

Peer Listening

Senior pupils from Aberdeenshire secondary schools recently attended a joint “Peer Listening” training event organised by Robert Gordon’s University (RGU) and Aberdeenshire Council, Education Learning & Leisure.  At the moment five secondary schools in Aberdeenshire have developed a Peer Listening service.

The service is organised by senior pupils for all pupils in the school.  Each school has set up a listening service that aims to support pupils in the local area.  As a result each service is unique to the challenges and demands of the local area.  The Educational Psychology Service has been involved in supporting school staff and pupils with the “Peer Listening Service” over a number of years.

The joint training event involved peer listeners from each school presenting information on how they had developed their “Peer Listening Service”.  This was followed with group discussion, facilitated by staff from the Educational Psychology Service and RGU, on understanding communication and thinking about how the peer listeners can improve their service.  Each school picked up on good practice from their peers and in some cases have taken new ideas back to implement and try out.

Louise Bomber visits Aberdeenshire EPS

On the 11th June 2010 Aberdeenshire EPS welcomed Louise Bomber author of "Attachment in the Classroom" and "Inside I'm Hurting" who talked to us about Looked After Children and Attachment Issues. It was a brilliant day and all went away inspired and encouraged to work more closely with those with attachment difficulties. See the external link for more info.

My Brilliant Brain-Learning how to learn

Portlethen Academy, in collaboration with Aberdeenshire EPS, did some research looking at the way children learn in the Academy with an aim to improving pupil’s study skills. The piece of work aimed to encourage staff and young people to share their views about what promotes effective teaching and learning in their school and then to use these to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at Portlethen Academy. Our hypothesis is that pupils need to develop a ‘growth mindset’ which is a mindset which perseveres, and is resilient in the face of challenge. We have therefore designed a four week course together with staff at the Academy to promote learning. This is called My Brilliant Brain and is an interactive and fun way to ‘Learn how to Learn’.

Parenting Courses for the Early Years

Aberdeenshire EPS have also been creating new opportunities in the Early Years sector.

• We have recently begun work with various parent groups across the Shire to help parents understand babies brains and how they learn.
• We have also started working with nurseries to improve transition from nursery to Primary One.

For detailed information please click here.

Galina Doyla - Key to Learning

Aberdeenshire Psychologists recently took part in whole-service training by Galina Doyla. She is a practitioner who has developed a series of programs called ‘Key to Learning’ for children designed to help them learn how to think and learn. Key to Learning is a unique educational developmental cognitive curriculum for the Early Years. Based on the work of developmental psychologist Vygotsky, it is specially designed to provide optimal learning experiences. It was a great day and means that we can now take forward the ideas and develop them further. You can visit her website for more detailed information.

Innovative Approaches

Learn about our innovative approahes including; Instrumental Enrichment, Appreciative Inquiry, Person Centred Planning and Video Interactive Guides.

Exciting projects

Learn more about our exciting projects including the Choose Life Project, Personal Learning Planning and School Transitions.