| Springburn Academy Transition Programme |
Making a positive start in secondary schoolThe Springburn Academy Outward Bound Transition programme fulfils the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence:The transition from primary to secondary school is one of the most critical times in a young person’s education with the challenges of a new environment, new peers and a new way of learning. These challenges for some prove to be a real set back in their development and their educational achievement and attainment. The programme identifies and trains a number of S4 pupils, who support the new S1 pupils, and provides them with a shared experience in the form of an Outward Bound® residential course to build new and trusting relationships. 24 S4 pupils participate in a ‘mentor’ selection event involving a Metro Team Challenge Day and an interview. 12 S4 pupils (‘mentors’) participate in an Outward Bound Teams and Leaders course at The Trust’s Loch Eil centre, focusing on being a role model and developing leadership skills. The 12 mentors visit the associated primary schools and meet selected mentees at each. The mentors and their mentees participate in a Metro Activity Day focused on building relationships between the S4 pupils and the P7 pupils. The mentors participate in a Metro Skills Development Day focused on giving them the skills to lead part of the next element. The Springburn Academy ProgrammeThe Outward Bound Trust helps young people realise their potential through reflecting on, and learning from, adventurous experiences in the wild. Outward Bound has exceptional instructors who are trained and qualified in both outdoor activities and processing learning. The Trust is a national charity and as such raises funds to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who could not otherwise afford access to Outward Bound courses.In Scotland The Outward Bound Trust has two centres, one at Loch Eil - a residential centre near Fort William - and the second called Metro - an urban peripatetic team based in the central belt. The Trust’s Loch Eil centre is a 20 bed centre set on the shore of Loch Eil with magnificent natural wild environments on its doorstep, which are used to great effect to provide genuinely adventurous experiences. Metro uses the same method of learning and discovery through experiences in natural environments but does so mainly on a non-residential basis, which for some young people is more appropriate. The mentors and mentees participate in a Metro Activity day focused on developing and enhancing the relationship between the two groups. The majority of the new S1s participate in a three day Year Group Induction course at The Trust’s Loch Eil centre, focused on developing new peer group relationships. Supported by a number of structured opportunities to work together, the mentors continue to informally support the mentees in and around the school environment as they settle into secondary school. Aims of the programmeTo enable pupils of Springburn Academy to become:Successful Learnerswith pupils enthusiastic, motivated and ready to learn through raised levels of aspiration as a result of the Outward Bound process.Responsible Citizenswith pupils in S1 and S4 showing a greater respect for others; S4 pupils committed to helping and supporting their younger peers; and the S1 year group showing a greater sense of common purpose and being able to make informed choices and decisions.Confident Individualswith S1 and S4 pupils showing greater self-respect; a greater sense of physical, mental and emotional well being; and able to relate to others, manage themselves, be self-aware, assess risk and take informed decisions and achieve success in different areas of activity.Effective Contributorsas resilient and self-reliant pupils, able to communicate effectively, work in partnership, take initiative, and solve problems. |
By coming here young people see somewhere different to their normal lives, what we do is help them see themselves differently. The fact that we can affect change on one person, whether it be out of 10 or 100 people is what motivates us.Ben Laker |
| The President's Company Golf Day |
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The annual golf day is held at Western Gailes Golf Club to thank members of The President's Company for their generous support of The President's Company programme. |
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