Case Study - Drumchapel High School
challenge delivery school 2023/24
PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE
During the programme, school staff observed:
Individuals found their voices within group settings, gaining communication skills and interacting outside their existing friend groups.
Initially, many pupils were disengaged and sometimes disruptive, but over the course of the challenge, their ability to work productively both independently and in groups improved significantly.
The emphasis on meta-skills and hands-on tasks added a new dimension to their existing curriculum. Pupils learned valuable approaches that they could apply in other subjects.
BACKGROUND
Drumchapel High School were looking for wider achievement opportunities for S5 and S6 pupils before coming across the Powering Futures Challenge. It was the unique and accessible nature of the programme that first appealed to the school.
The added benefit of an SQCF level 6 award granted an alternative qualification option and a unique learning experience for pupils of all academic abilities.
As a school with a strong commitment to developing the young workforce, Drumchapel also prioritised the implementation of skills-based learning into the curriculum as well as fostering relationships with external partners and employers.
The sustainable element of this course linked well to the pupil’s prospects, due to the increased focus on sustainability in the workplace.
Starting to get kids to talk to people from industry about their experiences helped to take some pressure off of them and allowed them to see there are other routes into the workplace and different ways to be successful and find a job they like. It surprised the other teachers and SLT department to see in person how much these kids developed in confidence, which is important as seeing their growth is what will drive new academic initiatives forward.
Sarah McGowan - Delivery Teacher, Drumchapel High School
OUTCOMES
PROGRAMME GROWTH
Drumchapel is repeating the programme this year following its success, with an increase from 9 to 16 participants in the class.
INTEGRATION OF LCD PUPILS
This year Drumchapel is bringing a small group of pupils with Language and Communication Difficulties into the mainstream school environment to undertake the course. This new initiative was introduced due to the course’s creative nature and focus on practical skills. These pupils will be integrated with the other teams, to provide opportunities for socialising in a less pressured environment.
AT A GLANCE
CHALLENGES
Availability of qualifications for pupils of different academic abilities.
Skills-based learning opportunities.
Connections to professional contacts.
BENEFITS
A focus on sustainable solutions.
Understanding and utilising meta-skills.
Sustained team collaboration.
Time management and workload balancing skills.