Highlighting some examples of how effectively enterprise and skills development opportunities have been embedded across all faculties.
MAIRI MCAINSH
This year, Larbert High School was nominated for both of our SES Awards: Scotland’s Most Enterprising School and Scotland’s Most Enterprising Practitioner.
Mairi McAinsh was awarded Scotland’s Most Enterprising Practitioner 2024 Whilst in her role as an Art and Design teacher, Mairi takes advantage of opportunities to develop skills as one of the school’s Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Coordinators, alongside Elizabeth Kirk.
Mairi’s impact has been described as transformational Not only passionate and creative, but an advocate for IDL and bringing workplace opportunities into school, and school out of the classroom.
This showcase highlights some of the examples of interesting practice and approaches, and demonstrates how effectively enterprise and skills development opportunities have been embedded across all faculties.
For more inspiration, you can follow LHS on X and their YouTube channel
@LarbertHigh @FCLarbertHigh
We are very proud that we are able to offer our young people such high quality, unique experiences which are unmatched by any other school in Scotland and are crucial to our phenomenal positive destination figures.
This personalisation to the curriculum provides a unique opportunity to take an individual’s skills and talents to a completely different level.
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE
Developing learners’ skills is high on the agendaat Larbert High School
Theleadership teamhave adopted asystematic approach to enhancing young peoples’skills for learning, life and work; andimplemented a holistic ‘Skills Framework’ across all aspects of the curriculum. The school usesthe DYW context tooffer learners a wide variety of experience and pathwaysin order toensure all young people are developing the necessary skills andaptitudesfor apositive vision about the future.
Collaboration with both the wider community and employers is crucial to the successful realisation of this goal.
The ‘Skills Framework’ at Larbert High School complements this agenda and ensures that all young peoples know, understand, and are able to articulate their skill-sets and areable to relate these to their career aspirations
Elizabeth Kirk; Home Economics teacher, and Mairi McAinsh; Art and Design teacher, are both fundamental to the DYW links across the skills framework as DYW Coordinators.
For further support and insights, follow the links below to find out more about the Larbert High ‘Skills Framework’
HOSPITALITY - CORONATION ICE CREAM
This hospitality project aimed to develop a range of practical food skills, and foster interest in the food industry through practical experiences. While also creating opportunities for pupils to develop skills for future employment, such as; creativity, problem solving, teamwork and communication.
The project began with a simple conversation with Amrit Dhillon, Managing Director of Candied Ice Cream, which led to the idea of the ‘Coronation Ice Cream’ product development challenge
All of the S3 Academy of Hospitality pupils participated, they were given a real-life brief by Candied Ice Cream, and pupils were required to carry out research and develop an ice cream product, that could represent the King’s coronation.
Amrit chose two design ideas which were then combined into the finished product. The two winning pupils had their ice cream design created by Amrit and sold in his ice cream parlours throughout May 2023 to celebrate the King’s coronation
This project was particularly effective as pupils worked to a real-life brief, which resulted in their product being made and sold in their local store, which is such an amazing accomplishment.
Amrit Dhillon then trained all of the S3 academy pupils in REHIS elementary food hygiene. Now, all Academy of Hospitality pupils have acquired a qualification that will help them when looking for food industry related jobs in the future.
CLINICAL SKILLS
The Clinical Skills Evening was aimed at promoting and developing the skills of young people, in the hopes to entering any health sector career. The evening aimed to offer insight and experience, primarily for S5-6 but included S4 pupils to inspire them for their future choices. The event allowed for skill development networking and extracurricular activities for their UCAS applications
It had been identified that there was a year-on-year growing gap of available work experience in a health setting since the COVID-19 pandemic, and that students were struggling to secure work experience placements in an NHS setting.
There was a networking/career fayre with more than 20 health professionals and University representatives along with those in roles ranging from midwives, opticians, dentists, medical lab technicians, nurses and doctors, who all came along to speak to and inspire the young people in attendance. Followed by talks from both The University of Edinburgh and The University of Glasgow; who discussed medical school entry and interview processes
The pupils then attended a set of skills workshops to provide experiences to enhance their UCAS application and clinical skills This included:
Basic First Aid
Dissection
Suturing skills
Microbiology and Imaging
As a result of this evening, many of the Larbert High pupils who attended the event have been able to secure placements and conditionals for university
Following the event students were asked to provide feedback in an evaluation form and majority said they found the skills workshops particularly beneficial and fun. As well as giving them a topic to enhance their UCAS applications/University Interviews.
ADVOCACY AND LAW
The main focus and aim of the project was for S6 students, aged 16-18, to achieve the NPA (National Progression Award) in Legal Studies. Although the focus in this project is on learning the process of Scottish Laws and The Effects of Crime in Society, this was an incredibly literacy based subject which also takes into account some wider national issues Whilst this project did not have a specific focus on global citizenship, it does encourage responsible citizenship – such is the aim of the Curriculum for Excellence.
The Curriculum for Excellence helps our young people gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for life in the 21st century. The CfE places learners at the heart of education and at its centre are four fundamental capacities These capacities reflect and recognise the lifelong nature of education and learning whilst encouranging learners to be:
Successful learners
Confident individuals
Responsible citizens
Effective contributors
All pupils working on this NPA are on track to achieving, and have been able to grow and develop their confidence and social skills through this process. By working with external partners, pupils have had the opportunity to tap into the experience of a defence lawyer and visualise the links between the NPA and how it is applied in the world of work.
Having now established foundations of knowledge around the legal profession, some pupils are considering careers in this area; having had the opportunity to see the practical skills in action, having an enhanced understanding, and also having seen a live case in progress.
TIKTOK STRATHCARRON
The Strathcarron TikTok project was created so that young people from Larbert High School could learn about their local charity and how and why it attracts funding The aim was for Larbert High pupils to use their unique expertise as teenagers on social media to launch the Strathcarron TikTok Channel and inspire young people to use their local shop by raising its profile.
An S2 English class worked on this project, with the focus looking at how literacy and communication skills could be developed through TikTok to engage a specific audience.
The first contact with the charity was a visit to the Strathcarron Hospice facility where they met the Chief Executive, who described the aims and values of Strathcarron and the type of support they offered not just to patients but to whole families and the wider community.
An important part of this visit was learning about how Strathcarron raise funds do for their facility, and why hospice shops are so important in bringing in consistent revenue.
Seven representatives from the class attended this, and enjoyed a tour of the facilities to learn more aboutthe charity. Students worked with Strathcarron’s marketing team to come up with creative ways social media could be used to attract new users of the Strathcarron Shop in Stenhousemuir.
The class representatives fed these ideas back to the class and initiated a Halloween Limerick contest. The whole class visited the shop to seek inspiration for their creative writing. This writing and subsequent videos formed part Strathcarron’s new TikTok channel
Following on from this success, Ailsa Herd, Communications Manager at Strathcarron Hospice, has since visited the pupils to share the impact they have had on their charity and inspire new projects They have gone on to embed exploration of the charity’s values in a number of literacy projects and continued to develop a partnership which promotes communication, creativity, community and kindness.
APEX EXRESS
The Apex Express is an enterprise project incorporated into the NPA (National Progression Awards) Hospitality Level 5 course. The course is aimed at senior phase pupils with a focus on developing employability and practical skills that will empower them to successfully enter the workforce
The project began when pupils started selling their ‘practice coffees’ to staff during training sessions. The pupils quickly identified a demand for their product, and designed a delivery service business model with help from their course teachers The pupils were taught how to cost products and calculate profits and losses - teaching them real life business skills whilst funding the continuation of their practical training and refining of their skills
Pupils gained valuable practical skills and grew in confidence throughout the year This had a positive impact on the pupils both within school, and outwith school where many of the pupils gained part time employment when armed with their new skills. Several of the pupils discussed starting their own business (ranging from food photography to joinery), having identified that the business skills learned were transferable to their preferred area of interest - even completing independent research into the grants and funding for business ideas.
ACADEMIES
The Academy program is designed to create an enhanced experience in curriculum areas through links with industry partners along with Higher and Further Education pathways. These Academies form part of the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) strategy and begin to get young people thinking about the different opportunities and pathways available to them.
All pupils, regardless of their chosen academy, still experience all curricular areas within BGE and have all opportunities and pathways open to them as they move into S1 and beyond. These enhancements are part of the BGE curriculum from S1-S3 with all academies result in accreditation by the end of S3.
Head to the Larbet High School website for more detail.
Click HERE for the Academies Page on their website.
MUSIC IN CARE
Students from first to sixth year participate in pipe band, orchestra, and ceilidh band, delivering musical performances for residents at Carrondale Care Home all year round
Students identified that integrating music into care home settings can significantly benefit residents' mental, emotional, and physical well-being, enhancing their overall quality of life and so proceeded to organise musical ensembles for the care home.
The focus of this project within the expressive arts curriculum is on promoting health and well-being through a form of music therapy Through these sessions, the goal is to enhance cognitive function, alleviate anxiety or depression,
encourage social interaction, and facilitate emotional expression through participation in group music activities The initiative began with the orchestra performing for residents, eliciting a profound emotional reaction from them. As the school's pipe band grew and developed over time, we were able to introduce its music to the care home as well. The distinctive nature of pipe band music resonated deeply with the residents, many of whom exhibited strong emotional engagement with the performances It was evident that the residents remembered and cherished the pipe band music, marking a significant impact. Even individuals who had previously shown little response to stimuli demonstrated a notable emotional connection to the music
The evident benefits of integrating music into the care home environment highlighted the importance of continuing these musical engagements throughout the year The positive outcomes observed showed the value of music in enhancing the well-being of residents, reinforcing Larbert High’s commitment to continuing this project.
The pupils who participated have now gained an excellent community connection to the care home through music. Beyond the profound emotional resonance experienced by residents, it's evident that students also developed a strong emotional connection to the music they performed and the purpose behind their involvement As the care home is situated close to our school, the care home provides an opportunity for students to perform for their relatives, amplifying the joy experienced by both students and residents alike.
Furthermore, beyond the emotional impact, students' confidence in their musical abilities grows significantly through this initiative. They gain a deeper appreciation for diverse fields of work, such as nursing, and emerge as more well-rounded contributors to society This collaboration not only enriches the lives of residents but also cultivates the personal and social development of our students, preparing them to make meaningful contributions to the community they live in.
PANDA’S TODDLER GROUP
Larbert High’s National 5 Childcare students worked with children aged four months to fiveyears-old, along with their parents to create a fun and supportive space which would nurture a child’s development. The focus areas were improving emotional and social development through fun activities which will improve both the child and parent’s health and wellbeing in a real environment.
This allowed pupils to gain essential skills of organisation, problem solving and boosted their confidence due to working as part of a team and with members of the public in creating a toddler group
This group improved pupils’ interpersonal skills as they were conducting themselves professionally when interacting with people from the community; such as other volunteers and parents The skills gained through this opportunity are transferable into employment and the pupils who took part in this project wanted to work with children in the future, therefore helping to progress onto college or employment.
The toddler group created the opportunity for pupils to create and facilitate activities which engaged children and positively impact their learning experience
The pupils gained practical experience on how to set up a child-friendly space for a toddler group by following strict hygiene rules to ensure child safety when in the space
In addition to this, participants gained knowledge about government requirements and safe
preparation for nutritious snacks suitable for young children which would ensure they were able to create an appropriate menu.
Pupils were required to evaluate their own progress which has allowed them to identify strengths and areas of development. This allows continuous improvement of knowledge and skills which would positively impact the experiences of children.
The toddler group was due to run for six weeks, however due to the impact of this group, this initiative is continuing to run on a biweekly basis The toddler group has increased in popularity with parents and has excellent attendance to each session which is a testament to the contribution and hard work of the students involved
WIDER ACHIEVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Wider Achievement allows students to develop skills and experiences outside the classroom, within a skills framework. It recognises the skills essential for learning, life and work, including self-confidence, communication, and team working that come from a wide range of activities, supporting flexible choices for young people.
Larbert High School offers a range of Wider Achievement Opportunities (WAO) at S3 that focus on Digital Learning, Enterprise, Leadership, Literacy, MESP, Numeracy, Thinking.
Each WAO highlights the skills focus, the recognition of achievement and the progression route into senior phase. The key opportunities are focused on one skill area but may develop more skills through the award.
Click HERE for more information on the S3 Wider Achievement Opportunities at Larbert High School.
ENTERPRISE THROUGH HORSE CARE
Horse Care NPA Level 4 is a Wider Achievement opportunity for S3 pupils and covers a range of experiences working with horses; from complete beginner to pupils who have their own. It consists of four SQA units and assessments to ensure pupils have the opportunity to demonstrate the necessary practical skills, as well as developing their overall knowledge in this subject
Designed and created by Stacey Barr, an English Teacher at Larbert High School, this course provides access to the equestrian industry for students who otherwise may not have had the chance to explore this particular avenue.
Larbert High School hope to form a partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to provide a positive pathway for students wishing to continue with studies in this area
Pupils who have completed all four units and practical assessments will be awarded a NPA Level 4 in Horse Care. Students will also have worked on their digital literacy skills through the development of weekly blogs charting their progress; as well as making ‘how to’ videos for beginners
While also gaining vital employability experience by helping out and working on the livery yard. This is something they can be used in future when applying for jobs or further study in this field
EARTH SCIENCES ACADEMY
The Earth Sciences academy offers the opportunity to explore the world and apply knowledge and skills developed across the school and wider life in a way that benefits both people and the natural world. Larbert High School links with outside organisations which gives students an insight into a huge range of possible careers related to environmental and Earth sciences.
As one of the academies at Larbert High, Earth Sciences offers additional skills development, and at N5 offers a bolt-on additional qualification of Geography and Environmental Science, leading to Higher Geography and Environmental Science and Advanced Higher Geography. It also offers a wide range of apprenticeships, associated college and university courses There is the option of taking part in Powering Futures - solving real life sustainability challenges faced by local and national companies and organisations This bolt-on allows a flexible senior curriculum to broaden attainment in which students taking Geography can also take Environmental Science to maximise the complimentary content between the subjects and allow for students to gain an extra awards across 2 years
Students gain a deeper understanding of certain concepts within both subjects and gained the opportunity to view subjects holistically rather than in silos Students also gain an extra qualification within the time constrains of school column structure
They have demonstrated their team working, communication and creativity skills through a range of activities including creating bug hotels and pit fall traps, tree planting and litter picking and educating others on litter prevention They have also had the opportunity to build teamwork and digital skills presenting on climate change for N4 qualification.
ASSISTED SUPPORT CENTRE DRAGON’S DEN
The Assisted Support Centre (ASC) supports pupils to meet their individual needs and to be included in the wider school experiences They offer additional specialist support to pupils experiencing severe specific learning and communication difficulties.
The ASC enables pupils who require additional support to access the mainstream curriculum and classes, and be included optimally in the life of the school, in addition to providing more hands-on support for communication and social development.
Their aim is to include pupils in as much of the wider school experiences as possible; and in Late 2022, the pupils became aware of the Falkirk Schools Dragons Den Competition which is aimed at schools and groups with Social Enterprise ideas Teams were required to submit business plans and thereafter pitch their ideas in front of a large audience and a panel of experts Submissions had to be community focussed and looking to address environmental issues.
At Larbert High School’s ASC, there are currently 36 pupils, with five (then S1 pupils) expressing an interest in entering the competition. They worked together as a team and combined their ideas of healthy eating, sustainability, and the current economic crisis with their own interest of computer coding - not to mention their favourite snack of the ASC, the KitKat (which they learned from a survey carried out with staff and pupils).
These items all then came together into ‘The KitKat Coding Club’.
The pupils’ business plan included the formation of a school club where pupils would attend, pay a small fee, obtain a free ’KitKat’, develop some computer coding skills and would provide a forum to develop and implement plans to enable members of their community to be able to grow and eat fresh, cost effective, nutritious and environmentally friendly food.
The KitKat Coding Club planned, rehearsed and then delivered their pitch during the Falkirk Schools Dragons Den event in November and to their delight, won!
Their excellent pitch and ability to respond to difficult questions proved a winning combination.
As a result of their success, the team achieved wide acclaim Their success was publicised in the Falkirk Herald and a blog from one of the pupils was also posted on the Social Enterprise Academy website.
MY FASION PATHWAY
The Textiles club at Larbert High School varied from S1 – 6 pupils The curriculum’s focus was both on global citizenship, and health and wellbeing. Through this club pupils have learned about the impact of the Fashion and Textiles industry on the environment, and how they can make more sustainable and creative choices They have also focused on their own health and wellbeing by taking time to learn new and creative skills; skills which they can use in their future career, or skills that they can use for life. This club has opened their eyes through external partners as to career opportunities with the world of Fashion and Textiles.
Pupils who couldn’t sew or had limited experience learned how to use a sewing machine and were able to make a bag from scratch. They took part in competitions working on a live brief and were adjusting and creating items of clothing
Pupils taking part in this went on to win overall, which was a huge achievement as students were competing against other schools who were in timetabled Fashion and Textiles classes
They were inspired by outside partners, and hearing about different parts of the Fashion and Textiles industry and were able to develop skills in pattern cutting and millinery.
The project has now been embedded into what the Fashion and Textiles department cover with pupils as a result of their success; showcased at the Strathcarron Fashion show
The department has forged relationships with multiple external partners, who support and help the club as much as possible
The club is continuing to grow, with new pupils joining at the beginning of each academic year and will continue to grow and develop
For more information check out the articles linked below.
Strathcarron Hospice Article
DYW Article
A massive thank you, and well done to the brilliant staff and pupils of Larbert High School, for sharing your enterprising practices and stories.
If you have an interesting practice like the ones you ’ ve read about in this showcase, and would like to be featured on our website, please get in touch - contact@enterprisingschools.scot
Read more of our Interesting Practices on our websiteenterprisingschools.scot
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