For many years staff at Doon Academy in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, had felt that many pupils lacked ambition and wanted to do something that would expand their horizons and open up their minds to new possibilities. Limited aspirations have affected pupils’ ideas about themselves and their workplace potential. The school decided to provide pupils, and staff, with opportunities to develop the leadership skills necessary to help them realise their potential and boost their confidence.
Practical steps
Doon Academy’s leadership skills programme has involved a number of activities outside the school and also within the school community.
Initially 12 pupils and four members of staff attended the Columba 1400 Ambassadors' Programme on the Isle of Skye. On the course the group learned about the core values of leadership: awareness, focus, creativity, integrity, perseverance and service.
The school is working to provide more opportunities for pupils who have attended the programme to use their training by getting involved in the school and community.
‘Graduate’ pupils have also been involved in presentations on the leadership project to a range of audiences.
The school has devised its own leadership course, inspired by and drawing on lessons learnt at Columba. Two members of staff who took part in an earlier Columba course devised and led the school’s own residential trip assisted by five pupil leaders. The week of activities aims to replicate the Columba experience, but for a much reduced cost.
Lessons learnt
Pupils come back from the leadership course bursting with ideas and energy - you have to make sure these ideas aren’t lost, that it doesn’t just become a week away.John MacKenzie, Art Teacher
One lesson learnt from the programme is to have lots of ideas ready for pupils to begin working on as soon as they return from the leadership courses.
The school has also learned the importance of pre-planning to ensure the programme’s best chance of success. At first some pupils did not fully understand that the outdoor activities had a purpose beyond simple enjoyment. In fact, the activities have a key significance in teaching students the trust and team play necessary for working together.
After staging their own event for the first time, Doon Academy teachers decided to spend more time beforehand at the subsequent event explaining the link between workshops and outdoor activities to pupils, so that they would understand the significance of what they were doing.
The school is also considering whether it would be beneficial to invite parents to future courses.
Impact
The effects of taking staff and pupils out of their usual environment and comfort zone and introducing them to new ideas in a supportive context have been significant.
The school has seen a noted improvement in the confidence of pupils who have attended the leadership courses.
One teacher commented that he was surprised at how the pupils had responded to the investment in them. He said they showed ‘real gusto’ in making presentations and talking with primary school pupils about their experiences.
The school is carrying out an evaluation of the entire project to assess its success in transforming pupils’ beliefs about themselves. It is too early to predict the results, but art teacher John MacKenzie says he is confident the assessment will show an improvement in pupils’ confidence and aspirations.
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