Rural skills for schools

In a pioneering new project as part of Perth and Kinross Council's Determined to Succeed strategy, which recognises the importance of the land based industries to Scotland's rural economy, two Perth & Kinross schools are making a valuable addition to the curriculum. With support from local land-based employers, both Breadalbane Academy and Blairgowrie High School are now offering pupils the opportunity to gain practical skills in land-based subjects. The innovative learning programmes will focus on developing young people's core skills and have been designed to add value to the existing academic courses. There is a need to keep young people employed in the area and give them practical and personal skills that they will need to be successful in the workplace. By getting hands-on experience through the vocational programme, the pupils can learn practical skills that will be extremely valuable if they wish to pursue a career in the land-based industries. They will also acquire a variety of interpersonal skills including how to work in a team and how to communicate effectively with each other.

The programmes have been developed in close partnership between the schools, local employers. Lantra, Perth & Kinross Council and local colleges. Thanks to the support from local employers, the schools are able to offer pupils the opportunity to gain their practical skills in subjects such as game-keeping, environmental conservation, agriculture, equine studies or green-keeping. Pupils will have the opportunity to achieve units in Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) or an award in Rural Skills at Intermediate 2 Level. This exciting development in vocational education means that courses are being recognised as pat of the new Scottish Progression Awards which are being introduced by the SQA.

The land-based curriculum was first implemented at Breadalbane Academy through a successful pilot in game-keeping and pupils are now offered the opportunity to develop basic skills in all stages of game-keeping from rearing pheasants on the nearby estate through to the shoot and even learning how to prepare birds for the table. An exciting new development this year has been the opening of "Breadalbane Game" a retail outlet which has been developed with the help of three school departments. The Business Education classes have been involved with marketing, the Art & Design department with package design and presentation and the Home Economics pupils with product development.

The vocational programme has been extended to give pupils valuable skills in environmental conservation and agriculture. Specific projects undertaken by the pupils include dry stone walling, fencing and bridge building. The pupils have also had the opportunity to work with animals, leaning how to shear sheep, give necessary injections to cattle and scan sheep for lambs. A further project involved a group of pupils building a corral to accommodate cattle during winter using large woodchips.

Blairgowrie High School is working closely with Oatridge Agricultural College and pupils attended a 3 day residential course where they had introductory courses in health and safety, tractor skills and livestock handling. This has prepared them for workplace training which will take place on one afternoon per week during the rest of the year. Head Teacher John Fyffe said "Providing a curriculum that is relevant to the needs of the young people and the needs of the community is a priority for the school. The level of support we have received in setting up this course has been excellent and we look forward to a bright future for the school." The school hopes to extend into courses in hospitality, engineering and construction as part of becoming a 'School of Ambition'.

Projects such as these in schools are helping to nurture the skills and enthusiasm of young talent and ensuring a successful future for Scotland's land-based sector. Other schools are linking with Perth College or Lauder College where the pupils can follow courses in other vocational areas such as hairdressing, motor vehicle maintenance, construction, care, hospitality, creative design and media, sport and leisure and tourism. All the initiatives are part of 'Determined to Succeed', the Scottish Executive's strategy to enable all young people are prepared for work and life with the right mix of skills - and with the self-confidence and drive to make the most of them.