CASE STUDY
This video is a good example of the flexibility of schools embracing youth awards as a way of widening the learning offer whilst retaining access to recognised levels of accreditation. The examples from West Calder, Wick and New Struan demonstrate that youth awards can benefit all young people to engage in learning which is meaningful to them and connects the schools with local community providers which broadens the experience and brings fresh perspectives as well as additional resources.
About seven years ago when I started at the school we had a really good sports leadership program and we found that what the children were doing far exceeded the expectations of the qualification. Which meant that actually the work that they were putting in wasn't necessarily being recognised. So we looked around and we found the Youth Achievement Awards and really liked the fact that the SCQF Award Framework ran alongside the SQA framework and that young people were being recognised with level 5, 6,7 qualifications for what they were doing.
Wick HS, West Calder HS, and New Struan School Share Their Experiences of Engaging in Youth Awards Programmes
West Calder High School are now a point where every department within the school offers a SCQF award. Hence, they offer an alternative to the traditionally academic curriculum. Young people can access a wider range of qualifications experiences opportunities that directly link to what they want to do in the future.
Take the Plunge! Search our database of awards to find out more about what's offered by our Awards Network members
