February 2015 February seven issue BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN Dragon’s Breath takes kids to the top 2 issue seven BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN elcome to the seventh issue of the Business Enterprise Bulletin, which highlights recent enterprising events Attainment and successes across the authority including: the Sir Tom Hunter and Interaction challenges; Grange continues to WAcademy’s maths success; the launch of a new Scots language app; exciting creativity and science events as well as impressive academic improve in achievements across our schools. The Business Enterprise and Skills Centres (BESC) initiative, which aligns East Ayrshire with the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s Skills Framework, continues its This latest edition of the Business strong focus on helping young people to develop the skills and experiences Enterprise bulletin highlights which will equip them for future transitions to employment and training, both enterprising events and successes locally and nationally. in schools across East Ayrshire. Key achievements include the SQA results for 2014 which demonstrated a continuing trend for strong performance in East Ayrshire academies. Contents Many aspects of performance in Literacy Attainment continues to improve in East Ayrshire 2 and Numeracy in both primary and secondary schools were above the national A career in the stars 3 average and the Council’s consistent A whole new world awaits Grange pupil 4 approach for assessment in these fields has Commonwealth Youth Summit 4 been recognised by Education Scotland as an example of best practice. Kilmarnock Academy recognised with British Council International School Award 5 Vocational skills are also proving to be a vital route back into education and Grange Academy is going for gold 5 formal attainment for young people. Creativity recognised at launch event 6 Training programmes like Chef Skills, East Ayrshire pupils reap rewards of hard work 6 delivered in partnership with Braehead Dragon’s Breath takes kids to the top 7 Foods, and social media qualifications delivered in partnership with local companies, Grange Academy maths success 8 gave a number of young people access Grange attends Olympic Get Set Awards 8 to skills programmes which directly linked Kids enjoy a day with the opera 9 their school experiences with vocational opportunities at college and access to work. Loudoun pupils keeping up traditions with Galston CARS 10 The Council’s Business Enterprise Mr Sunny slays dragons in Sir Tom’s Challenge 11 initiative in schools continues to grow East Ayrshire - National Music Council Award winners 14 from strength to strength and is having a Primary 6 pupils on fast-track to become star musicians 14 very positive impact on pupils and young people. Business Enterprise programmes New Ayrshire College used for Enterprise Education Initiative 15 are offered in all secondary schools, and Scots language app launches 16 primary schools are becoming more involved Stewarton Academy HMIe report success 16 in enterprise activities which support excellent curricular continuity across transition at P7. Stellar year ahead for special science project 17 There is a culture of change and ambition in Teachers get stuck in, cut out and roll those wagons for engineering 18 East Ayrshire, ably supported by local business Vibrant youth conference 18 partners, Ayrshire College and the voluntary sector, and there has been a significant increase Wool bombing in Dalmellington 19 in the range and quality of opportunities available Around the schools… 20 for children and young people to learn, to thrive Auchinleck Academy 20 and to succeed in life, learning and work. James Hamilton Academy 20 The number of young people securing Positive Destinations reached record levels Loudoun Academy 21 of 93.1% and partnerships between schools, Park School 22 Opportunities for All, the transitional support St. Joseph’s Academy 22 team, and Skills Development Scotland, has been recognised at a national level. Stewarton Academy 23 BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN issue seven 3 A career in the stars Pupils at Cumnock Academy enjoyed a science planetarium under the expert guidance of astronomer fair with a difference when a cast of experts and science educator David Warrington. and industry leaders attended the school to And that was not all; the Science Centre’s body works exhibition inspire and motivate the young people. provided an exciting adventure into the science of our bodies with a fit lab where pupils participated in science experiments The day started to find out how strong, fit and healthy they were. with a motivational speech by Dr Peter The action packed day finished with a motivational speech from Hughes OBE, who Skylab’s Dr Geoff Coxon. Skylab is a charitable organisation which was the former encourages young people to realise and understand their potential in Chief Executive future STEM based careers especially in the aviation sector. He spoke of Scottish about the physics Engineering. He behind flight provided the and jet engine young people with technology. an inspirational Councillor snapshot of his career and the importance of physics in everyday life. Eòghann It was then over to ‘Animal Man’ who brought a boa constrictor, MacColl, an iguana, tarantulas, Nugget the chicken and Peking the duck into Spokesperson the school to show the pupils. He provided a fascinating insight for Promoting into the habitat and hunting behaviour of snakes and spiders, and Lifelong Learning the young people were able to view and handle the animals. said: “What an incredible day the young people had at the science and careers fair. The event, which involved all S2 pupils, was also tailored to include Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are industries of the senior pupils who enjoyed an insight to the world of prosthetics future and throughout East Ayrshire our teaching staff are working with provided by two consultants, Michael O’Neil and Fraser Walker, pupils to help them understand the importance of science and the role from the Southern General hospital. They spoke about the history they could play in the development of new technology. Events like this of prosthetics and the technological advances which are helping to help to make STEM subjects accessible and desirable to young people.” transform the lives of thousands of people each year. The young people were amazed to hear that magnets are now fitted into eye Head teacher Angus McVake said: “This event was a real success. sockets to allow false eyes to be held securely and safely in place. Our young people have literally been raving about the science fair, talking about the animals they saw, the planetarium, the science centre Pupils from throughout the school then attended a careers fair which exhibition and of course the motivational speakers. Both Dr Hughes was attended by large industries including EDF, E-on, EGGER, Spirit and Dr Coxon enthused our S2 pupils about science around us and the Aeronautics, Thales Group, UTC Aerospace and MGF. The young important role that science plays in all forms of technology - around the people were enthusiastic participants and the industries were very home, travelling on a plane or even enjoying a concert at the Hydro impressed by their involvement and questions. in Glasgow. Technology, science and engineering is in everything we They are keen to return again in the near do and it is essential that our young people realise the importance future to work with the school, helping of science and their place in its to encourage the young people to future development.” pursue a career in their industries. In the afternoon the young people then had some hands on science experience in the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory’s mobile 4 issue seven BUSINESSENTERPRISEBULLETIN A whole new world awaits Grange pupil Sixth year Grange Academy pupil, Andrew Aitken, will be starting a whole new adventure this year after being accepted to study Chinese at Oxford University. Andrew attended a four day interview at the end of last year at Pembroke College, Oxford University. He was interviewed “My parents are so proud of my achievements to interests. I was delighted to hear that Andrew is by academics and researchers including a date. I am the first person in my family to attend interested in politics and I am sure that he will specialist in ancient Chinese religion. university, so it is a bit of a shock for them too. have every opportunity to learn about politics After the gruelling interview process “I have always been interested in languages first hand from former Pembroke students. was the long wait for the all important but my interest is starting to move towards “The Confucius hub at Grange has provided acceptance letter, which finally arrived just politics and I am really looking forward to our young people with fantastic opportunities. a week before his seventeenth birthday. studying politics as part of my course.” Grange is one of only a handful of schools in Andrew, who is very interested in languages Grange Academy has had a Confucius hub Scotland where Chinese is taught as a language having studied eight in total, became fascinated within the school since 2009, providing and the hub has enabled strong links to be with the Chinese language and culture after a young people with direct links to China, and made with China through school visits and school visit to China back in 2013. He applied to encouraging learning and cultural exchange. cultural exchanges. I am incredibly proud of study at Oxford as the course covers all aspects Andrew and the whole school. His success is Councillor Eòghann MacColl, Spokesperson of Chinese language and culture including a reflection of the ambitions of Head teacher for Promoting Lifelong Learning visited Grange politics, society and history and is taught by Robert Johnston and the whole teaching staff.” Academy with Graham Short, Executive some of the greatest academics in the world.