scottish learning association

SCOTTISH SUPPORT FOR LEARNING ASSOCIATION

SSLA is a uniquely Scottish professional association. It was established in 1973 and has its roots in the older “Scottish Association of Teachers of Backward Pupils in Secondary Schools”. The Association’s first independent conference in October 1973, in Stirling University, on the topic of “Remedial Education” concluded……

“there are many children in our present school system who are in need. The task facing us is to find ways of positively identifying such children, assessing as precisely as possible the nature of their needs – specifically educational or widely social- and providing the appropriate educational provision”.

Thirty years on, the challenges of children with additional needs and the provisions made for them are still our main concerns.

Vision

SSLA promotes inclusion, cooperation and the concept of Learning Organisations. SSLA continues to strive to create for all ages and all abilities, the best possible conditions for learning.

SSLA offers a support network for members. The aim at both local and national level is to advance the education of children and other learners by:-

Exchanging ideas, disseminating information and discussing developments in the field of additional support needs
Promoting, encouraging and undertaking research relevant to the aims of the association
Establishing and maintaining relations with individuals and other bodies having similar aims
Playing a full part in the development of Scottish Education

Meetings and Conferences

SSLA runs two national conferences each year plus local meetings on a range of contemporary topics.

National Influence

SSLA is a voice for those who support learning and an advocate for those who need high levels of support. It is member of the Scottish Executive’s National SEN Advisory Forum and has a place on the Scottish Dyslexia Forum

SSLA membership

SSLA has a democratic structure with four categories of membership

Individual
Corporate
Associate
Student / retired

Individual members come from all parts of Scotland and from all levels within statutory and voluntary agencies. They are entitled to full voting rights and receive regular newsletters and publications including the SSLA journal. Amongst SSLA’s corporate membership are authorities, schools, offices and network teams. Associate members include such organisations as Enquire and the EIS. We have reciprocal membership with Dyslexia Scotland, the Dyspraxia Association and the Scottish Network for Able Pupils.

Membership of SSLA acknowledges a commitment, recognises an intention and celebrates participation in matters relating to children with additional support needs