Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney helped school pupils celebrate their qualifications at a special results day gathering at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus on Tuesday 6 August.
Dr Ken Thomson OBE, FVC’s Principal, was on hand to welcome the Deputy First Minister – who is also Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills - and to introduce him to more than 30 pupils from local high schools - including St Modan’s High School in Stirling, Alloa Academy, Larbert High School and Clackmannanshire Secondary Schools Support Service.
The Results Day 2019 event highlighted the wide range of exciting learning opportunities available to young people and how success can be achieved in many different ways. It was a great opportunity to celebrate learner’s achievements and to promote the wide variety of pathways to success and the gathering complemented the wider ‘Celebrating Success 2019’ campaign, which is being led by the Scottish Government and the College’s ‘own ‘Results Day 2019’ campaign.
Also in attendance on the day were Fiona Brown, Vice Principal Learning & Teaching, Forth Valley College; Ernie Romer, School Partnership Coordinator, Forth Valley College; Barbara Johnstone, Early Learning & Childcare Lecturer; Forth Valley College; Colin Bruce, Head Teacher, Alloa Academy; Jon Reid, Rector, Larbert High School; and Ray O’Neill, Head Teacher, St.Modan’s High School.
The event was also supported by key college partners with representatives from Clackmannanshire Council, Colleges Scotland, DYW Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, Skills Development Scotland, Stirling Council, and University of Stirling.
In addition, parents and carers of the pupils were invited to celebrate with the young people.
During the event, Mr Swinney also had the opportunity to visit the simulated nursery at the College’s Stirling Campus and speak to pupils who had undertaken a Foundation Apprenticeship to find out about their experience.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, said: “Results day is the perfect time to celebrate all forms of learner success and congratulate our young people on their achievements throughout the year.
“I had the pleasure of spending the day at Forth Valley College where I met students taking a variety of exciting learning opportunities either at school, college or both. It was a fantastic atmosphere, a great opportunity to meet so many dedicated learners following the paths that are right for them and the ideal way to truly celebrate the success of all our young people.”
Dr Ken Thomson, said: “It has been great to celebrate the achievements of so many young people and hear about the different pathways they have followed. Whether it be a Foundation Apprenticeship, one of our school partnership programmes such as SCOTS, Skills for Work or an HNC, or National Level qualifications and Highers, young people have so many options and can achieve success in many different ways.
“We wish all the young people every success for their future whatever their plans and career aspirations are – and look forward to welcoming those who already have plans to progress to one of the many courses we have at the college such as Higher National Qualifications, Degrees and Modern Apprenticeships.”