Dalbeattie High School received an award this week as it celebrated becoming a Bronze SCQF Ambassador. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework supports pupils by recognising wider achievement – not just exam grades – and looks at ways that schools can support pupils with wider learning experiences and opportunities.
All secondary schools in Dumfries and Galloway are SCQF School Ambassadors. They all develop Senior Phase learning pathways in line with the Developing the Young Workforce Strategy and provide a balance for learners between vocational and academic qualifications.
Specifically, Dalbeattie High School has been successful in upgrading their status to a Bronze ambassador – the first school in Dumfries and Galloway to have this enhanced status. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership has recognised the schools ‘whole school approach’, pupil awareness, parental engagement and understanding of the framework and how it can be used to support learners and employers and the Pathway development and progression/Curriculum offer.
By developing a number of external relationships with partners such as Stewartry Active Schools and Community Sport, local employer Jas P Wilson, Dumfries and Galloway College and Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dalbeattie High School has been able to offer its young people a wide range of qualifications and curriculum pathways alongside more traditional options. These courses – Skills for Work, National Progression Awards and Foundation apprenticeships – provide vocational learning opportunities whilst allowing for practical experiences to take place. Each qualification carries SCQF tariff points which count towards Further and Higher Education entrance requirements.
Interim Chief Executive, Derek Crichton and Director of Education and Learning, Gillian Brydson presented the award to Stuart McGougan, acting Head Teacher last week. Also receiving the award were two pupils, Lilli Bell and Alice Maxwell, who are both school ambassadors at Dalbeattie High School.
Gillian Brydson, Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, said “one of our council’s priorities is to give the best start in life for all our children and young people. The SCQF framework aims to help people of all ages to access appropriate education and training. In addition to qualifications, it can also include learning in the community or in the workplace. Each child’s learning journey is different so being able to access different and appropriate education and training opportunities will help to provide them with the best start in life.”
Stuart McGougan, Acting Head teacher, said “increasing awareness of SCQF framework has really helped our young people and their families better understand the increasing variety of qualifications, pathways and opportunities available to them.”
