Ayrshire school earns prestigious gold award for 'flexible learning experiences'
A North Ayrshire high school has been recognised for expanding its curriculum to offer pupils a wide range of flexible learning experiences.
St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats has achieved the Gold Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) School Ambassador Award.
The SCQF is the qualifications framework for Scotland and is used to compare and understand the country's wide range of qualifications.
The accolade acknowledges that Headteacher Stephen Colligan and his team have worked hard – with the support of senior pupils as ambassadors - to ensure pupils have a variety of opportunities, in addition to the standard set of qualifications on offer, to achieve their ambitions.
Mr Colligan said: 'I am very proud that we have achieved gold status in the SCQF School Ambassador Award, and it is all thanks to the hard work of our staff and the pupils' determination to weave their ambitions and interests into their education.
'Every child is different and we have made a concerted effort to ensure - where possible – they have an opportunity to get involved in things like STEM, apprenticeships, placements and volunteering.
'The programme is thoroughly embedded throughout our school, and information is provided through assemblies and classroom presentations to recruit new ambassadors for the coming academic year.'
Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet member for Education and Young People, commented: 'The SCQF School Ambassador programme has been a real success at St Matthew's, shining a light on the need for peer-led support when it comes to pupils considering the path they want to take in education and training.
'Congratulations to Stephen, his teaching staff and the ambassadors who work hard in the programme to support fellow pupils through the Framework.'
Pupils who are involved as Ambassadors in the school have had a very positive experience. S6 pupil Olivia, 17, said: 'I have a much better understanding of the different qualifications that can be studied', while Eileen, also an S6 pupil who is 18, added: 'I feel confident when discussing the wider qualifications and the pathways they can lead to.'
Examples of the opportunities available include a May Activities Programme for pupils who are not sitting exams, external partnerships that offer pupils opportunities to develop existing skills and acquire new ones, and raising awareness with parents and carers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Ken Muir Awards recognise ‘overlooked' student achievements
Powering Futures established the Ken Muir Awards as part of the culmination of its national Schools Programme. Delivered as a SCQF Level 6 certified course, the Schools Programme tasks students with solving a real-world challenge set for them by local business leaders. More than 1,000 pupils from 86 schools in Scotland participated in the Schools Programme in 2024-2025, the fourth year of the programme. Although every participant also leaves with a qualification, a spokesperson for Powering Futures said that the new Ken Muir Award is meant to give special attention to pupils who exhibited 'less measurable, but deeply meaningful outcomes,' such as increased confidence, teamwork skills, and planning for their lives after school. An award was given to one pupil from each participating school. Recipients were nominated by their teachers in recognition of individual growth during the challenge. Many calls for reforming the Scottish education system and independent studies into qualifications, exams and the curriculum have emphasised the need to move away from traditional results-based education and instead prioritise skills and other achievements that might translate directly into the workplace. Professor Louise Hayward's 2023 Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment recommended significant changes to the exam diet and the creation of a new diploma reflecting wider student achievements. Prof Muir's 2022 report, Putting Learners at the Centre, focussed on reforms to the qualifications system as part of a broader cultural shift in education that gave less weight to high-stakes exams and more focus on student and teacher voices. Read more Prof Muir said that the new award in his name and the Powering Futures Schools Programme are both 'symbolic' of the change he wants to see in Scottish education. 'We need a culture shift in Scotland's education system. Of course, grades are important - but so is working hard, reflecting on progress, and growing as a person. 'These Awards are symbolic of this shift. They celebrate personal development, resilience, communication, and teamwork. These are all critical attributes that help young people thrive in life and in work.' He added that giving students, teachers, and employers input into the system is critical. 'Innovation in education doesn't come from the top down. It comes from those on the ground who genuinely want to see young people achieve in every sense of the word. Powering Futures is one such innovation, and it's helping us reimagine what success looks like in Scottish schools.' Professor Ken Muir presents Rubin Allen from Alva Academy with his Powering Futures Challenge SCQF Level 6 Qualification Certificate. (Image: © Stuart Nicol Photography 2025.) Over the course of the Schools Programme, students have the chance to work directly with the business leaders who set the challenges and build relationships, which Powering Futures co-founder Jennifer Tempany said provide opportunities for students when they leave school. 'The Powering Futures Schools Programme is equipping the next generation with the skills and mindset to thrive in the jobs of the future. 'These Awards highlight the often-overlooked achievements that sit beyond academic results, but which can inspire confidence and purpose in young people as they go into the world of work. 'We are proud to play our part in helping young people see their potential, and congratulate every recipient for their well-earned achievement.' The inaugural Ken Muir Awards were hosted by SSEN Transmission in Perth. Nicky Gadsden, SSEN's Early Career Attraction and Engagement Lead, said the awards 'help signal a brighter, more sustainable future powered by their vision and ambition.' 'We're thrilled to celebrate the recipients of this year's Ken Muir Award - young people whose drive and innovation are already setting them up to make waves in their future careers, wherever it takes them.'
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Daily Record
Ayrshire school earns prestigious gold award for 'flexible learning experiences'
The school offers a wide range of flexible learning experiences. A North Ayrshire high school has been recognised for expanding its curriculum to offer pupils a wide range of flexible learning experiences. St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats has achieved the Gold Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) School Ambassador Award. The SCQF is the qualifications framework for Scotland and is used to compare and understand the country's wide range of qualifications. The accolade acknowledges that Headteacher Stephen Colligan and his team have worked hard – with the support of senior pupils as ambassadors - to ensure pupils have a variety of opportunities, in addition to the standard set of qualifications on offer, to achieve their ambitions. Mr Colligan said: 'I am very proud that we have achieved gold status in the SCQF School Ambassador Award, and it is all thanks to the hard work of our staff and the pupils' determination to weave their ambitions and interests into their education. 'Every child is different and we have made a concerted effort to ensure - where possible – they have an opportunity to get involved in things like STEM, apprenticeships, placements and volunteering. 'The programme is thoroughly embedded throughout our school, and information is provided through assemblies and classroom presentations to recruit new ambassadors for the coming academic year.' Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet member for Education and Young People, commented: 'The SCQF School Ambassador programme has been a real success at St Matthew's, shining a light on the need for peer-led support when it comes to pupils considering the path they want to take in education and training. 'Congratulations to Stephen, his teaching staff and the ambassadors who work hard in the programme to support fellow pupils through the Framework.' Pupils who are involved as Ambassadors in the school have had a very positive experience. S6 pupil Olivia, 17, said: 'I have a much better understanding of the different qualifications that can be studied', while Eileen, also an S6 pupil who is 18, added: 'I feel confident when discussing the wider qualifications and the pathways they can lead to.' Examples of the opportunities available include a May Activities Programme for pupils who are not sitting exams, external partnerships that offer pupils opportunities to develop existing skills and acquire new ones, and raising awareness with parents and carers.
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- Press and Journal
School league tables 2025: Here's how Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and island secondary schools rank
has pipped at the post to lead the Press and Journal's take on the 2025 school league tables. The two city schools both improved their performances from last year – but made the bigger change. had led the charge for the previous three years. Elsewhere in the north and north-east, and were leading the way. Schools are ranked based on the percentage of leavers to gain five or more Higher qualifications (or equivalent). This is considered a benchmark of achievement as it's a common entry requirement for university. The best performing schools in each local authority area are: went up six points to 58%, with jumping the same amount of points to 39%. In the Highlands, 215-pupil leapt 32 points to 62%. topped the Argyll and Bute table with a score of 46% – up 5% from last year. In the islands, in Shetland came out on top, leaping 14 points to 44%. did the same in the Orkneys, with a jump from last year of 6 points to 39%. The in Harris won the battle of the Western Isles – even with drop of nine points to 41%. Each year the Scottish Government publishes attainment data for every school in Scotland. The figures our 2025 school league table is based on are the percentages of leavers to achieve five or more qualifications at SCQF level 6. As well as Highers, this can include qualifications such as a National Certificate or Modern Apprenticeship. They also compare each result to last year. Publication of school league tables is controversial, seen by many as an index of deprivation rather than a measure of individual schools' performance. An attainment gap exists between pupils who live in the most and least affluent areas. In all of our 2025 top 10 schools, fewer than a fifth pupils live in deprived areas (designated quintile one in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). At the other end of the table, schools such as Inverness High School and Northfield Academy in Aberdeen face more deprivation. Here are the 10 lowest-scoring schools when assessed by percentage of leavers with five or more highers or equivalent qualification in 2023/24: But in today's world, is this really the best measure of success? Many would not agree, including Peterhead Academy's head teacher Gerry McCluskey. Last year, his school ranked very low in our league tables, with just 14% of leavers obtaining five or more highers. This year, that figure for Peterhead is now at 24%. In an extensive interview with the P&J last April, Mr McCluskey said the league tables are far from the whole story for his school. He told us at the time: 'The percentage of leavers at Peterhead Academy achieving a positive destination after school is 96%. 'That's the same as the likes of Bearsden Academy. Yes, they're getting more Highers, but while our young people are leaving school earlier, they're still moving on to employment, further education, higher education, graduate apprenticeships. 'What you also need to take into account is that as a community, we're almost a self-sustaining economy in Peterhead. We've got a lot of opportunities, we're the biggest town in Aberdeenshire, there's a lot of businesses, a lot of industries that are very attractive for our young people to go and work at.' You can look at last year's results in full detail here.
