This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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More Schools of Ambition
23/02/2007
Twenty one more secondary schools across Scotland are to join the Executive's School of Ambition programme, it was announced today.
Schools joining the programme - which aims to increase ambition and belief, extend opportunities and transform future lives - will benefit from at least an extra £100,000 annually for three years. Headteachers have complete control over how this money is spent to allow them to put their plans in action and achieve change.
First Minister Jack McConnell is also expected to announce further plans to develop Schools of Ambition - linked to the Executive's work to help young people who are not in education, employment or training - during a visit to Eastbank Academy in Glasgow later today.
Education Minister Hugh Henry said:
"These schools have shown they have the determination and ambition to take action and make a real difference to the lives of their pupils. Their varied and individual approaches build on those of our existing Schools of Ambition, and all our schools will be able to learn from them."
The new Schools of Ambition are:
Alford Academy, Aberdeenshire - will create an enterprise and creativity faculty to increase vocational options and improve the curriculum.
Auchenharvie Academy, North Ayrshire - will improve the health and motivation of pupils with a health education programme, increased physical activity and sport and leisure based vocational opportunities.
Carrick Academy, South Ayrshire - will focus on developing leadership and life skills with pupils taking an increased involvement in their own learning to equip them with the motivation and enthusiasm to succeed.
Charleston Academy, Highland - will develop a 3-18 PE curriculum with more choice, supported by the Highland Football Academy and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, to improve participation and build excellence in sport.
Alloa, Alva and Lornshill Academies, Clackmannanshire - will raise attainment and expectation by improving access to vocational opportunities and enterprise activities.
Gracemount High School, Edinburgh - will create better routes to success to make sure every pupil gets an education that meets their needs and prepares them for life out with the school gates. They will improve curricular opportunities, develop stronger school - college partnerships and skills for work courses, provide extended work placement and vocational training and build more supportive approaches to developing social, emotional, behavioural and employability skills.
Kilsyth Academy, North Lanarkshire - will use art and creativity to motivate pupils, encouraging choice, performance and new opportunities. The expressive arts will be used across the school, for example using drama to deliver health education.
Kirkcaldy High School, Fife - will offer pupils a wider variety of subjects and vocational opportunities to help low achievers fulfil their potential, complemented by a focus on improving leadership skills in staff and pupils.
Lanark Learning Community, South Lanarkshire - will use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to create a learning community, increase motivation and engagement in learning.
Nicolson Institute, Western Isles - will improve computing skills, offer increased vocational opportunities and a course in Gaelic Media Studies to ensure pupils have the skills demanded by the local job market.
Secondary Schools in Orkney Islands - will review their curriculum to ensure pupils receive a consistent range of opportunities, experiences and recognition of achievement. This will be enhanced by e-twinning of schools in Orkney and beyond.
Renfrew High School, Renfrew - will engage pupils by increasing participation in learning, expressive arts and active citizenship and leadership initially focusing on first and second year.
Rothesay Academy, Argyll and Bute - will build on their recent improvement drive, further improving attainment and achievement by focusing on critical learning skills and improved pupil support. They will also increase curricular flexibility and choice and provide expert coaching in sport and music.
St Stephen's High School and Port Glasgow High School, Inverclyde - will raise confidence and self esteem by focusing on leadership and improved well-being through health education, sport, music, art and drama.
Taylor High School, North Lanarkshire - will improve learning and teaching by integrating Information and Communications Technology into classes throughout the school. Pupils will also get to experience DVD production, podcasting and digital recording.
Queensferry High School, Edinburgh - will develop leadership in the school to transform the ethos and culture, promote and celebrate excellence and encourage a greater sense of ownership through increased participation. The school will develop a radical leadership development programme to support improvements in learning and teaching. This will lead to improved curricular choices in the school, a revised S1 experience and improved attainment.
Mr Henry added:
"There are some very innovative and creative ideas coming out of our Schools of Ambition. They are forging new ways of making sure we do our best for all our young people.
"Many of these ideas, for example focusing on leadership skills, can help us to make sure all our young people become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens."
Background:
The successful bids will each receive at least £100,000 extra a year while on the programme, plus possible additional support from philanthropists and business partners.
The schools will now go on to work up detailed, costed transformational plans, with assistance from the Executive's Schools of Ambition support team.
The Schools of Ambition programme builds on the Executive's wider modernisation programme and on the unprecedented investment in education already underway: over £2 billion for new and refurbished school buildings, thousands of extra teachers, a radical overhaul of the curriculum and the development of sport, music and new vocational studies to enrich school life.
Councils will support the development of each school in their area with the schools operating with maximum autonomy to school managers. Additional funding will be in the full control of the headteacher.
Existing Schools of Ambition are already working with a range of business partners including, Microsoft, Diageo and BT as well as many local companies and colleges.