High school pupils from the Forth Valley area who completed the School-College Opportunities to Succeed (SCOTS) programme, were presented with certificates this week to recognise their achievement.
More than 35 pupils, ranging from S3 to S6, were joined by family and friends as well as teaching staff from their schools, at special events held at Forth Valley College’s Stirling and Falkirk Campuses on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 June, respectively.
They were offered congratulations by Catriona Reid, Head Teacher at Bo’ness Academy and Tracey Patrick from Stirling Council, who also joined in the celebrations. FVC Directors of Operations, Diane Creed (Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism) and Jacqui McArthur (Business and Communities), presented the pupils with their certificates, emphasising the exceptional work they had put in to achieve the award, after what was a challenging year, by continuing to attend and produce good work. Many of these pupils have now applied for future courses, either full-time or within the School College Partnership portfolio, to continue their journey.
As well as undertaking the SCOTS programme, pupils also had the opportunity to participate in additional learning. Stirling pupils worked on recognising their Essential Skills, whilst in Falkirk, pupils who studied Construction were able to undertake a Practical Copper Pipework unit.
The aim of the SCOTS programme is to build confidence, resilience and to allow pupils to experience a range of subjects they may not have considered as a future career. The ground-breaking partnership between Forth Valley College, Stirling Council and Falkirk Council, allows pupils to attend College one half day per week, to experience a range of different subjects from: Construction, Science, Childcare, Hospitality, Engineering, Salon Services, Fitness, Healthcare, Tourism and Creative Industries.
Rob McDermott, Head of Learning and Quality at Forth Valley College, said: “Each year I am amazed by how the SCOTS programme has managed to inspire and encourage pupils to make choices that will allow them to progress either in to further study or down a route that will lead them to employment. It is always a pleasure to celebrate the completion of their course and look forward to seeing many of them return in the future to Forth Valley College. We hope they found SCOTS to be worthwhile and of great benefit in helping them make up their minds as to which study route they might want to take in life.”
