AYRSHIRE COLLEGE SCHOOLSNEWSLETTER SUMMER EDITION

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Welcome to the Ayrshire College Schools Newsletter! We want to keep you up-to-date on what we have been doing, so you can let your pupils know.

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2017/18 SCHOOL-COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Over 1400 applications were received this year from Ayrshire senior phase pupils.

The interest in school-college courses is rising each year and in particular the number of applications for Foundation Apprenticeships. June 2017 will mark the start of the Engineering Foundation Apprentices second year on the course, and we will also be welcoming our new recruits for the fresh intake of Year 1 future engineers.

This year the Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! Children and Young People and Engineering (Year 1) are full, however IT – Software Development still has spaces available.

VISIT THE SCHOOLS PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE - WWW.AYRSHIRE.AC.UK programming will help me with this aspect of the physics course.

PUPIL Holly – I wanted to study something computer-related and I thought that computer games development would give me a SPOTLIGHT good insight into the subject. I also thought the course looked fun.

Daniel – I did this course last year at Level 5 and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to keep developing my skills so I decided to complete this Level 6 course.

What are your ambitions? James – I would like to study for a PHD in physics and I have unconditional offers for my undergraduate degree, including the University of St Andrews.

Holly – I want to go into TV production. I am planning on going to college first and then University.

Daniel – I want to study computer games development at the University of Abertay. This course will definitely help me with that. Left to right: Daniel Paul, Holly McGinn and James Abbot

NPA Computer Games Development is a school-college programme aimed at those who enjoy gaming and would like to try making their own. The course covers a variety of skills from programming the game, to designing characters, levels and objects.

James Abbot, S6, from , Holly McGinn and Daniel Paul, both S6 from , told us about the course and what their future plans are.

Why did you choose the computer games development programme? James – I enjoy playing computer games and I wanted to study SPOTTED! something computer-related. I couldn’t continue computing at James was in the winning team of Mission Discovery 2016. The school because there was another subject I wanted to select in team created the idea of recording the speed of slime mould on the same timetable column. I am also hoping to study physics different materials in space. Their experiment was carried when I leave school. The course includes simulation - studying out in space in June 2017!

SECTOR FOCUS: DIGITAL Ayrshire College held its first ever digital conference, Data Changes Everything, which was an official fringe event of DataFest17.

DataFest17, organised by The Data Lab, was a celebration of innovation showcasing Scotland’s data science capabilities and attracting international experts in data science to Scotland.

The conference was organised to help realise the potential of digital in Ayrshire. Central to this are our students who are Ayrshire’s future talent. The conference was an opportunity for them to network with local employers and understand the needs of their business and to raise aspirations towards an exciting digital career. Currently 13,000 new jobs in Scotland require to watch our Developing Ayrshire's digital skills indicating that there is a high event video digital potential demand for talented data people. NEWS TACKLING THE GENDER 13,000 new jobs in Scotland GAP IN STEM require digital skills each year

set to increase by 2,000 every year as growth accelerates

Digital technologies are changing the world

Ayrshire College hosted an industry-led critical to filling the future skills gap. We Over 73,000 Technology Workout for 250 S1 and are delighted to support SmartSTEMS S2 female pupils from schools across and Ayrshire College and I hope this people work in Ayrshire. event inspired the girls to consider pursuing a career in science, technology digital or ICT jobs This was the latest event organised as and engineering.” part of the college’s #ThisAyrshireGirlCan campaign to encourage more girls into Jackie Galbraith, vice principal at science, technology, engineering and Ayrshire College and a former computer mathematics (STEM). technologist, said:

The Technology Workout was delivered “There are thousands of well-paid in partnership with SmartSTEMS, a jobs available in the digital sector in Over 84,000 Scottish charity established by Stuart Scotland, yet women make up just MacDonald, managing director of Seric 17% of IT specialists working in the people expected to be Systems. industry. Ayrshire College is trying to tackle this gender gap by sparking an employed in digital The pupils and their teachers heard from interest in computing at an early age and or ICT jobs by 2020 inspirational women who have forged encouraging young people to continue successful careers in STEM including this interest throughout their education. Wendy Pring, managing director of KCP Environmental Services in Cumnock, and “The Technology Workout at our Jo Watts from Dufrain Consulting. Kilmarnock campus was a great success Median earnings for and we look forward to working with Most of the day was about the pupils SmartSTEMs to repeat this success at digital and ICT jobs are taking part in interactive workshops run our Kilwinning and campuses in the by a range of companies, and learning year ahead.” to code at the college’s award-winning £38,500 CoderDojo computer coding club. ENCOURAGING GIRLS TO SmartSTEMs also works in partnership “ with EDF Energy, which operates STUDY SUBJECTS THAT WILL Hunterston B power station in North Ayrshire. Station director Colin Weir said: OPEN UP A CAREER IN THESE AREAS IS CRITICAL TO FILLING Higher than Scottish “Encouraging girls to study subjects that THE FUTURE SKILLS GAP. will open up a career in these areas is ” average of £25, 500 NEWS MISSION DISCOVERY LAUNCHES IN AYRSHIRE

This year’s ISSET team were:

• Michael Foale CBE, former NASA astronaut

• Sarah Murray, NASA HQs Council Executive / Mission Support for Partnership Councils

• Julie Keeble, Lecturer of Pharmacology at Kings College The International Space School London and Chief Scientist at ISSET Educational Trust’s (ISSET) Mission • Chris Barber, Director at ISSET Discovery Ayrshire 2017 programme Ayrshire Connects organised an event began on Monday 19 June for aimed at giving girls and women the Michael Foale CBE said “I’m around 150 secondary school pupils confidence to follow a STEM (science, delighted to be back in Ayrshire, I’m and college students. technology, engineering and maths) really impressed with the students career path. and I’m sure they’ll deliver some Following the success of last great experiments to send to the year’s programme, this incredible 100 people came to the College’s International Space Station.” opportunity was made available Kilmarnock Campus to hear Sarah as a result of the Ayrshire College Murray, NASA HQs Council Executive Find out about the winning Foundation’s continued sponsorship. / Mission Support and Partnership experiment here: http://www1. As well as sponsorship from NATS, the Councils, speak about how she has ayrshire.ac.uk/news/news/2017/ Spaceport and Ayr Rotary Club. overcome many obstacles to have a mission-discovery-ayrshire-winners- successful career in NASA. Sarah has announced/ been involved in the Mission Discovery week with the fifth and sixth year pupils.

Ayrshire Connects is a mentoring network for female STEM and construction students across the college to connect to each other, to students in other colleges and universities, to employers and women in the industry sectors they aspire to enter, and to senior pupils in secondary schools across Ayrshire.

Everyone was inspired by what they I’m really impressed with the heard at Girls with Grit, the latest in the “ College’s #ThisAyrshireGirlCan campaign students and I’m sure they’ll to tackle the gender gap in STEM.

deliver some great experiments For more information about the to send to the International network click here: http://www1. Space Station ayrshire.ac.uk/students/ayrshire- ” connects/ NEWS AYRSHIRE SCHOOL PUPILS RUN MICRO-BUSINESSES

School Pupils in several Ayrshire secondary schools have been setting up their own micro- businesses. Greenwood Academy started Lovilicious Nail Bar last year which offered a group of pupils the chance to gain qualifications in basic nail treatments.

Prestwick Academy has followed LEARN 4 WORK by starting the Stiletto Gals Nail Bar (with funding from DYW Ayrshire and Princes Trust). This We partnered with the Ayrshire Chamber, East has been running since the start of Ayrshire Council and Doon Academy to set S3 pupils a term with Lecturer, Cheryl Smith. workplace challenge for the Learn 4 Work project. Pupils will gain a Personal Development Award for setting up the business and Creative Nail Finishes and Nail Art Level As a part of the Developing the Young Workforce 5 qualifications. The English department within the school initiative, Council are aiming to bridge the has also created relevant Literacy skills at National 5 level to gap between employers and secondary school pupils. support the pupils. The challenge was designed to provide pupils with an understanding of the world of work, possible career pupils are also pedalling their way to a routes, entrepreneurship and responsibilities and duties in qualification in bike maintenance this term, with Engineering the workplace. Lecturer Sarah Taylor. James Mason, one The challenge took place on Wednesday 31st May 2017 of the pupils taking to Friday 2nd June 2017. The pupils were invited to the the class, said “I want Kilmarnock Campus for a tour of the facilities and to to work in motor complete a marketing photo challenge. The challenge mechanics and I can use for the pupils was to recommend how best to promote the skills I learn from careers to school leavers. The pupils did a fantastic job this class to help me, completing the challenge and were a credit to Doon as it gives me the basic Academy. background knowledge of mechanics.” James is hoping to get a Modern Apprenticeship with Arnold Clark this year. SECTOR INFORMATION EVENINGS

During April the Developing the Young Workforce Team welcomed pupils and their parents to the Ayr and Kilmarnock campuses for Sector Information evenings.

Pupils that applied for school-college courses in engineering, early education and computing were invited to come along and hear all about these sectors. The hugely successful events offered pupils and their parents the chance to speak to the course lecturer on a one to one basis and answer any questions they had about college.

Invited guests Alan Roseweir, Strathclyde University Engineering Academy, Martin Duffy, Microtech and Simon Foster from Spirit AeroSystems attended the information evenings and offered pupils the opportunity to enquire about the types of skills and qualifications the companies are looking for from the future workforce. NEWS

The Supported Learning teams have a very popular “Transition to College” programme where pupils from special schools and mainstream schools, who require a bit more support than their peers attend classes at college.

These programmes help prepare the student for a possible later transition to college allowing them to become familiar with the campus, staff and teaching styles in advance of any move.

On the 29th March 2017, 55 school pupils attended Ayr Campus for Supported Learning’s annual Transition to College day.

FLEXIBLE PATHWAY FIT FOR LIFE

INITIATIVE Pupils from Cumnock Supported Learning Centre and This year the College was involved in delivering the Flexible Park School (Grange Campus) have been taking part in a Pathways Initiative designed by East Ayrshire Council, weekly workout session at the College with some of the Employers and Schools in partnership with the College. HND Fitness students. The initiative has three core elements: The ‘Fit for Life’ Programme offers activities aimed 1. Three days of work placement weekly at improving the physical and mental health of the 2. Two mornings at school for core skills subjects pupils. This year the group had a block of training from 3. Two afternoons weekly at college vocational classes Trust Rugby and have had a few events with Ayrshire Sportsability including the first ASN football tournament As part of this initiative Employability and Engagement hosted by Bonnyton Flyers. College staff were asked to deliver units from the Prince’s Trust Achieve Programme to those school pupils who were not fully ready to take up places in the third element - the school link vocational classes. Engagement and employability officers, Dougie Barnes and Caroline McCulloch, delivered three units: Presentation Skills; Teamwork; Community Project over the course of the programme.

As part of the Community Project Unit, the school pupils organised a lunch day for service users at the local YMCA. The pupils arranged entertainment, were involved in cooking and served the lunch for the service users. It was a huge success. Inclusion and engagement team leader, Tom Marner, said that, “This year’s cohort of pupils have been fantastic. We even have a handful of pupils who have completed their assessments and have continued to attend their Achieve class through the exam leave period. This is a testament to the impact of the programme and the commitment of the learning engagement officers in re-engaging pupils with their education.”

The Employability and Engagement team also deliver ASDAN units within the school environment to local authority schools throughout Ayrshire. These have been received well and all schools are keen to have the engagement officers deliver the ASDAN Programme throughout the 17/18 term. As with the FPI above, the officers are involved in re-engaging those pupils identified by the school as at risk of disengagement.

The Flexible Pathways Initiative operates on a referral basis. The programme runs as an agreement between East Ayrshire Council, Employers, the school and Ayrshire College. NEWS FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP SITE VISITS

“ It is important to demonstrate to future engineers what engineering looks like in different companies. The pupils were enthusiastic and well informed about the sector and what they would like to do in the future.”

The first group of Foundation Apprenticeship Engineering what engineering looks like in different companies. The pupils pupils have been travelling around Ayrshire to gain an were enthusiastic and well-informed about the sector and insight into working as an engineer in different sectors. what they would like to do in the future. We hope to see some GSK in Irvine, William Engineering in Kilwinning, and Modern Apprenticeship applications in the future”. Wabtec Faiveley UK Rail Scotland in Kilmarnock welcomed the pupils for a tour of their facilities and discussions about This June will mark the completion of the Foundation career routes within the companies. Apprentices first year of the two-year engineering programme. William Engineering demonstrated the inner workings of a metal fabrication company, and showed the pupils the range of products they make that meet stringent project specifications, while Wabtec provided an understanding of the rail industry by showing the pupils the types of train overhauls they undertake at the Kilmarnock facility. As well as delivering an introductory presentation on the global healthcare company. GSK gave the pupils a tour of the site’s utilities, demonstrating the size and scale of power and engineering expertise required to run the 43-year-old pharmaceutical plant.

Chris Wilson, Engineering Manager at Wabtec said “It was a pleasure to welcome the Foundation Apprenticeship pupils to Wabtec. It is important to demonstrate to future engineers

CONSTRUCTION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT 2017

The 9th May 2017 marked the first day of the Ashleigh Building and Belmont Academy Construction Partnership Project, in conjunction with Ayrshire College and MAST Architects. The project is for S3 pupils and will last 6 weeks. FIND US ONLINE EVENTS ROUND-UP Ayrshire College DYW team is happy to visit and support your school with events and information sessions. Here are some of the events we’ve been Visit our website at www.ayrshire.ac.uk to involved in recently: find links to all our social media accounts. #ThisAyrshireGirlCan Technology Workout – 14th June 2017

Mission Discovery 19th – 23rd June 2017 – Kilmarnock Campus

Girls with Grit – 19th June 2017, Kilmarnock Campus 5:00pm- 7:30pm aimed at girls interested in studying STEM

COURSE UPDATE

Applications are still open for August 2017 start full-time courses and Autumn evening classes. FIND RESOURCES US ON To find course information search using this section of the website: FOR YOU http://www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/courses/all-courses/ Have you seen our new videos? We have been recording some new videos for our school- college partnership courses to give pupils an insight into the USEFUL CONTACTS courses. These can be found in the marketing tool-kit and on our Ayrshire College YouTube channel. Ayrshire College DYW Team Telephone: 01294 555322 Ext 2050 Please feel free to use our video content during classes and Email: [email protected] to inform pupils, teachers and parents about the course. Jane Henderson DYW Manager Read about the 10 Reasons you should study Business [email protected] Administration: Patricia Murray DYW Officer South www.ayrshirecollegeblog.wordpress.com [email protected]

Read about the 10 Reasons you should study Graphic Yvonne Adamson DYW Officer North [email protected] Design and Visual Communication: Ashleigh Brown DYW Officer North www.ayrshirecollegeblog.wordpress.com [email protected] Kirsty Taylor Foundation Apprenticeship Project lead Did you know? [email protected] Katie Ralston DYW Communications Officer By 2020 the Scottish Government plans to expand early [email protected] year’s childcare provision. This will create around 14,000 Caroline Allison Administration Assistant new jobs in the early years and childcare sector. [email protected] Pupils can start a career route into early education with a school-college course, click to watch our video here